Lots of bitterness left behind after the war was over, and revenge came in many different forms. For American captain Alan Ladd returning to Italy for revenge in the supposed death of his lost love (Wanda Hendrix)"", he is surprised to find out that she's still alive and now married to baron Francis Lederer whom Ladd believes is guilty of treason. Ladd is blamed for the war crimes of others and must prove his innocence while exposing the guilty party, a huge challenge to say the least in this post war thriller that mixes neo-realism with noir.
I find Wanda Hendrix not one of the more convincing new stars of the post war years, especially when cast opposite such veteran actors as Ladd or Robert Montgomery. She's too impish a young lady to be really commanding, and the men always seem like they're stealing from someone's cradle when they romance her.
But there's plenty of action and intrigue, and Lederer is delightfully sinister in the most subtle of ways. Ladd too is quite commanding, brave and determined. Maybe not the romantic classic that the Oscar winning theme song "Mon Lisa" would indicate, although the settings are certainly lush and seductive. The minor players each get a moment to shine as their secrets come to life and add intrigue to Ladd's mission.
I find Wanda Hendrix not one of the more convincing new stars of the post war years, especially when cast opposite such veteran actors as Ladd or Robert Montgomery. She's too impish a young lady to be really commanding, and the men always seem like they're stealing from someone's cradle when they romance her.
But there's plenty of action and intrigue, and Lederer is delightfully sinister in the most subtle of ways. Ladd too is quite commanding, brave and determined. Maybe not the romantic classic that the Oscar winning theme song "Mon Lisa" would indicate, although the settings are certainly lush and seductive. The minor players each get a moment to shine as their secrets come to life and add intrigue to Ladd's mission.