Odette, Agente 23

Watched this film previously sometime in the '60s and it follows as much as we can be told about the SOE in WW2. I didn't think much of Anna Neagles French or her accent although I know her husband, Herbert Wilcox, the films Director and Producer used foreign actors wherever possible and needed a 'name' in the lead female role to carry the film. Also starred Trevor Howard, Bernard Lee, Peter Ustinov and Marius Goring and tells the story of Odette Sanson, recruited to the SOE and dropped into France. Neagle was quite the 'star' of Biopics having played Queen Victoria, Edith Cavell in film same name (Very good and historically quite accurate. Wilcox Direction is a little slow and pedantic and is the thing that really lets the film down. Another true-story is Carve her name with Pride (excellent) about Violette Szabo (played by Virginia McKenna) another SOE recruit, described as 'the bravest of them all'.

This movie is a tribute to all the women and men that risk their lives in resisting in France. It tells the story of Odette, a French-born woman that decided to enlist in a British section working under cover in France to help resistance and gather intelligence.

The movie is inspired by real events and tries to give a good overview on what was that kind of life. It can only be commended for that. However in itself, the movie is so so, not to say disappointing. It lacks a few film to grasp the audience and make us feel the bravery shown by all this women and men!

I also did not understand the language management in this movie: We switch from English to French in France only to distinguish the British spys from the rest - at first - and then every French in relation with them speak English as well. It should have be either all in English or in French: to speak English in France under cover would be really amateurish... (I'll not mention the bad French spoken with an evident English accent). On top of it, same happens with German (with the secretary being told bad with English to the next scene fluently talking in that language...).

A British biographical drama: A story about the French widow of an English soldier who offers her services to British Intelligence who send her undercover to assist the French Resistance in Vichy France, but soon the enemy sets a trap. This gripping, moving, and grim fact-based melodrama is a daunting and vivid tale. Anna Nagle gives a fine performance, immersing herself in the role in the same way as many Method actors would do in a later generation. Trevor Howard and Peter Ustinov are equally convincing. Although the film doesn't provide much mystery, the factual elements are sensitively handled.

Being a connoisseur of 1940/early 50s films with an extensive collection, I was surprised that I had never seen "Odette" before but have now done so courtesy of Youtube.The plot is similar to "Carve her name with pride"(1956) starring Virginia McKenna), that is a French woman living in the UK who volunteers to help the allies and Resistance in France during WW11.Anna Neagle showed her lack of linguistic ability speaking French & lapsing into English several times even when speaking to French Resistance workers.On the other hand the German speaking actors were quite authentic in their roles with the producers NOT providing English sub-titles in certain German only sequences where the action was clear.

Still it did give Dame Anna a chance to do a spot of real acting and "suffer" for us on screen with Trevor Howard's nicely understated performance playing her husband, Peter Churchill.I do understand that film censorship in 1950 could not allow any special effects showing Anna Neagle's character having her toenails being pulled out by the Gestapo, even suggesting it was slightly shocking then.Marius Goring was often well cast in sinister yet intelligent roles as he plays here as an officer in the Deutsche Abwehr.Another role he played in the same year of 1950 was as a Balkan/Serbian police inspector with Margaret Lockwood in "Highly Dangerous".Good to see "M"(a youngish Bernard Lee) initially from "Dr.No (1962) learning his trade in military intelligence.I awarded this film 6/10.

I first saw Odette when I first arrived in the United States at age 12. I was captivated by television and watched old movies and old television reruns after school. I was just developing a love for history and world war 2 history at school when I saw Odette for the first time. The story, authentic scenery and realistic performances completely drew me in. This movie will keep you on the edge of your seat for it is extremely intense and Anne Neagle draws you completely into the dark world experienced by Odette Sampson. Trevor Howard is strong, convincing and underplays just enough to allow Miss Neagle to shine, while conveying the strength of his character. I highly recommend this film if and when it can be seen again. The historians in the world would love the chance to add this film to their collection. Waiting patiently for the video and DVD.