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Man in the Middle (1964)

6.4 | Jan 27, 1964 (GB) | War, Drama | 01:33

The most unusual chain of events that ever held your emotions at gun point.

In a remote jungle outpost in the Far Eastern theater of World War II, a hotheaded American soldier murders an allied British sergeant in cold blood. Stalwart American Lt. Colonel Barney Adams (Mitchum) is dispatched to defend him in the ensuing court martial. But when Lt. Adams starts encountering roadblocks in his search for evidence, and his key witnesses start disappearing one after another, he soon realizes he's merely a pawn in a mysterious conspiracy that could extend to the highest levels of military power.

Featured Crew

Director
Original Music Composer
Screenplay
Novel
Assistant Director
Main Title Theme Composer
Screenplay
Editor
Production Supervisor
Director of Photography

Cast

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Robert Mitchum
Lt. Col. Barney Adams
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France Nuyen
Kate Davray
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Barry Sullivan
General Kempton
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Trevor Howard
Major Kensington
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Keenan Wynn
Lieut. Winston
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Sam Wanamaker
Major Kaufman
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Alexander Knox
Colonel Burton
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Gary Cockrell
Lieut. Morse
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Robert Nichols
Lieut. Bender
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Michael Goodliffe
Colonel Shaw

Reviews

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CinemaSerf
6 | Jun 01, 2023
"Col. Adams" (Robert Mitchum) is drafted in to conduct the defence, at court martial, of an American officer accused of murdering a British NCO in India. There's no doubt about the crime, nor that it was committed as charged so it all looks like fait accompli. "Adams" finds his grey cells starting to twitch when seemingly pointless obstacles are strewn in front of him. One witness is transferred suddenly and those supposed to be facilitating his work start to impede it. One conversation starts to ring alarm bells - perhaps his client isn't competent? Might he have a defence of insanity? That causes great consternation amongst the higher-ups who seem content to sacrifice their man for the sake of Anglo-American relationships. Ironically enough, it is the British doctor "Maj. Kensington" (Trevor Howard) who seems to want the truth told at the trial - but can they make their presence felt against some pretty formidable odds? This film benefits from quite an interesting storyline and a lead actor who is on decent form delivering a solid script. There are plenty of familiar faces amongst the supporting cast and there is just enough jeopardy to keep it interesting for ninety minutes before a fairly lively denouement.