The Man Between

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The Man Between

1953

1h 41m

Mystery & Thriller

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3 Reviews

78%

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100+ Ratings

After the fall of Germany in World War II, Susanne Mallinson (Claire Bloom) visits her brother Martin (Geoffrey Toone), a major who has relocated to Berlin and married a local woman named Bettina (Hildegarde Neff). Susanne is soon swept into a kidnapping plot involving West Germans, the Soviets, and a former Nazi named Ivo Kern (James Mason). Kern attempts to redeem himself by helping Susanne escape, even though he must risk everything in the process.

MFB Critics

Monthly Film Bulletin

The great weakness at the core of The Man Between is an implausibly contrived and dully written script.

Feb 6, 2018

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

A grim Cold War film.

Rated: B-

Jun 9, 2009

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Sean Axmaker

Turner Classic Movies Online

Shooting on location in Berlin, [Carol] Reed makes evocative use of the city.

Jan 16, 2009

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Allan P

Interesting film but not the easiest story to follow.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

12/02/24

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charles d

Beautiful film, with real tension and authentic romance. The scenes of a ravaged postwar Berlin are stunning, and a perfect counterpoint to the moral ambiguity of the characters who inhabit the city.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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Audience Member

its watchable but nothing special.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

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paul d

An excellent film, with very strong performances from James Mason, Claire Bloom and Hildegarde Knef. Most people immediately make a comparison of this to The Third Man, which I believe was an even better movie than this one, but The Man Between is very, very good in its own right and deserves wider viewing than it has gotten. It is such a pleasure to see movies that tell complex stories with nuance, from directors who respect their audience !

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

Quite good, early Cold War spy thriller. With naive Bloom weaving her way through a maze of intrigue, though she's sharp enough to figure some of it out. And James Mason, a person with an admittedly despicable past who seems to be softening in Bloom's presence. Several similarities to the latter "Spy Who Came In From The Cold". First rate.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

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Audience Member

good UK spy thriller

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

Full Review

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Carol Reed

Director

James Mason

Ivo Kern

Claire Bloom

Susanne Mallison

Hildegard Knef

Bettina Mallison

Geoffrey Toone

Martin Mallison

Harry Kurnitz

Writer

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Synopsis

After the fall of Germany in World War II, Susanne Mallinson (Claire Bloom) visits her brother Martin (Geoffrey Toone), a major who has relocated to Berlin and married a local woman named Bettina (Hildegarde Neff). Susanne is soon swept into a kidnapping plot involving West Germans, the Soviets, and a former Nazi named Ivo Kern (James Mason). Kern attempts to redeem himself by helping Susanne escape, even though he must risk everything in the process.

Director: Carol Reed
Producer: Carol Reed
Screenwriter: Harry Kurnitz
Production Co: London Film Production
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: British English
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 1, 2011
Runtime: 1h 41m