In 1942, a Polish prostitute and German Agent is murdered in Warsaw. Suspicion falls on three Generals, and Major Grau of German Intelligence seeks justice which ends up taking decades.In 1942, a Polish prostitute and German Agent is murdered in Warsaw. Suspicion falls on three Generals, and Major Grau of German Intelligence seeks justice which ends up taking decades.In 1942, a Polish prostitute and German Agent is murdered in Warsaw. Suspicion falls on three Generals, and Major Grau of German Intelligence seeks justice which ends up taking decades.
- Awards
- 1 win
- Juliette
- (as Juliette Greco)
- Doctor
- (as Sacha Pitoeff)
- Colonel (War Room)
- (as Raymond Gerome)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaBecause Peter O'Toole and Omar Sharif were being held to contracts signed several years earlier, when they were less famous, they both had to accept smaller fees than one would expect, given how famous they were when this movie was made early in 1966. Neither was very happy with this situation, but they took care to claim the lavish living expenses to which they were entitled.
- GoofsMajor Grau is handed a German soldier's identity disc from the crime scene in Paris shortly before Operation Valkyrie commences. He reveals the name of the suspect by apparently reading the name on the disc. German identity discs, however, never contained the soldier's name on them - only their roll number, unit designation and occasionally their blood group.
- Quotes
Major Grau: One of them is a... a murderer.
Inspector Morand: Only one? But murder is the occupation of Generals.
Major Grau: Then let us say what is admirable on the large scale is monstrous on the small. Since we must give medals to mass murderers, why not give justice to the small... entrepreneurs.
- Crazy creditsThe opening titles are a montage of a Nazi general's clothing and decorations.
- Alternate versionsThe UK cinema version was heavily edited for an 'A' (PG) certificate and removed nearly all the references to the victims being whores, as well as shortening the bed scene between Hartmann & Ulrike, the police interrogation of the suspected sex offenders, and editing some of the dialogue describing the murders. Later releases were upgraded to a 15 certificate and were fully uncut.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Discovering Film: Omar Sharif (2015)
The film is brimming with exceptional acting - O'Toole turns in a particularly vicious and strong performance as General Tanz, but everyone holds their own. It's rare to find a villain so distasteful and yet so intriguing - most filmmakers just content themselves with giving the villain an evil shtick without much character development - not so here.
I saw a newly mastered DVD in full 2.35:1 widescreen presentation and the the cinematography by the late Henri Decae is wonderful in all its glory.
Very interesting movie, please see it.
- Adam Frisch
- Jul 21, 2005
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Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- Die Nacht der Generale
- Filming locations
- Mostowa, New Town, Sródmiescie, Warsaw, Mazowieckie, Poland(shootout with Polish resistance)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime2 hours 28 minutes
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1