During the 1930s, the "Master of Suspense" Alfred Hitchcock was still developing the film-making skills that would inevitably lead him towards cinematic greatness. 'Secret Agent' is one of two films he released in 1936 (the other being the surprisingly suspenseful 'Sabotage') and it is a worthy effort.
John Gielgud plays Edgar Brodie, a young British army officer whose faked death is orchestrated in order to assume a new identity as Richard Ashenden to aid in the assassination of a German spy. Madeleine Carroll is the young woman masquerading as Mrs. Ashenden, and she is very enthusiastic about her task, and dying to see some "action." Peter Lorre (a favourite actor of mine) plays a fellow British spy known affectionately as The General, who is playful and ardent womanizer, but, at the same time, a cold and ruthless killer when his job calls for it.
The acting performances are generally very good. Some have criticised Lorre for overplaying his role, but I enjoyed his reckless enthusiasm, a side of his character which contrasts starkly with the side he would later reveal.
The beginnings of the genius of director Alfred Hitchcock shine through in several parts of the film, most notably the scene involving a hike up the mountain with a suspected German spy, and the howling of the doomed man's dog. Though it is perhaps a bit slow-moving, 'Secret Agent' is a good film - most especially for curious Hitchcock fans - and I highly recommend it.
John Gielgud plays Edgar Brodie, a young British army officer whose faked death is orchestrated in order to assume a new identity as Richard Ashenden to aid in the assassination of a German spy. Madeleine Carroll is the young woman masquerading as Mrs. Ashenden, and she is very enthusiastic about her task, and dying to see some "action." Peter Lorre (a favourite actor of mine) plays a fellow British spy known affectionately as The General, who is playful and ardent womanizer, but, at the same time, a cold and ruthless killer when his job calls for it.
The acting performances are generally very good. Some have criticised Lorre for overplaying his role, but I enjoyed his reckless enthusiasm, a side of his character which contrasts starkly with the side he would later reveal.
The beginnings of the genius of director Alfred Hitchcock shine through in several parts of the film, most notably the scene involving a hike up the mountain with a suspected German spy, and the howling of the doomed man's dog. Though it is perhaps a bit slow-moving, 'Secret Agent' is a good film - most especially for curious Hitchcock fans - and I highly recommend it.