Any other veterans who watch "Target Unknown" may have the same thought I did. This would be a good training film to show to all recruits in all branches of the armed forces. And so, it apparently was based on a training film made in 1944 for the American forces. Years later, I did see some short films when I joined the Army during the Cold War just before the Vietnam War. Those were along the order of docudramas about the carelessness of talking in public, especially in bars, cafes, and public places where one can easily be overheard. I can't recall what they were, but one of them might actually have been the WW training film, "Resisting Enemy Interrogation."
Of course, since WW II, Army and Air Force recruits who go into the combat ranks (infantry, artillery, tanks and air crews) get special training that exposes them to POW treatment. In advanced infantry training, I went through a 3-4 day escape and evasion course. Troops who are captured go through simulated enemy interrogation and methods to get GIs to give any information other than their name, rank and serial number. The interrogators try some of the friendly gestures seen in this film, like offering one a cigarette and coffee and trying to strike up friendly conversation.
This film is set in World War II, but was made as the Korean War was taking place. That was before Korea was finally labeled for what it was - a war. As a feature film, this movie is superb at showing how people can be manipulated to tell things that may seem harmless to them, but that an enemy can use in piecing together pictures just like jigsaw puzzles.
Prisoners of war are obliged to give only their name, rank and serial number. Those are the criteria established by the Geneva Convention for POWs. Signs were posted around military bases during the war to remind service men and women not to talk about their jobs, units, assignments, plans or operations when on leave or passes. "Loose lips sink ships" was one of the most familiar signs..
In a way, a couple of the sergeants in this movie seem not to be very moxie about keeping tight lips. They were nothing like the seasoned NCOs I met and knew in the U. S. Army. And, this film is an exaggerated example of POW handling by the Germans. The reality for most POWs was torture by the Gestapo if the Nazis wanted crucial information, otherwise shipment to the nearest concentration or POW camp. But this is a good example of how in favorable, comfortable, and even friendly surroundings, some men could let their guards down and more naturally be open.
The example of Gig Young's Capt. Reiner as an American who became a Nazi is interesting. While rare, it's important to know that there actually were a few such individuals during the war. More often than this though, people who sided with Nazi Germany instead served as spies in their homeland, or as instruments to stir up the public to keep out of the war or to support Germany
This isn't a particularly powerful film. It's a fictional story and the cast all do a good job in their roles. It's a good film to make people aware that efforts take place to learn information and secrets between opposing forces in times of war. And, it is a good reminder for those serving in the armed forces about the need for common sense caution and silence during wartime or hostile relations.
