D-Day Duty 2024 (#6 of 9) 36 Hours (1964) – Encore Review 2

Yesterday was the 80th Anniversary of D-Day and over this weekend, I have watched and reviewed movies connected to the commemoration of this day.

“[Maj. Pike, Col. MacLean and Gen. Allison are debating the likelihood of the Nazis expecting the Allied invasion] “Time” magazine predicts it’s going to be the first week of June. You know something, I have a hunch that, uh, German intelligence is almost as smart.” – Major Jefferson Pike

Number of Times Seen – 4 Times (Aug 2003, 8 Apr 2014, 24 Nov 2021 and 7 Jun 2024)

Link to original review – Here and Here

Brief Synopsis – A high ranking US officer is kidnapped by the enemy on the eve of D-Day in order to try and get information about the invasion by using subterfuge.

My Take on it – Great thriller that works quite well. The story plays out in a great fashion and allows for the tension to constantly rise as it moves along. The plot is amazingly set up and the charade is unbelievable to watch because it is done in such a complex and great way. The cast is superb with James Garner, Rod Taylor and Eva Marie Saint all giving very convincing performances. Love the way that this film shows how such a complex plan could be effectively done in order to try and convince someone about the passage of time. Loved seeing both Sgt. Shultz’s appear in this film (from Hogan’s Heroes and Stalag 17 (1953).

Highly Recommended!

MovieRob’s Favorite Trivia – The writing credits not only claim Roald Dahl’s short story, “Beware Of The Dog”, as the source of the plot but also an original film story by Luis H. Vance and Carl K. Hittleman. It has been suggested that MGM bought the Vance-Hittleman plot whilst unaware of the Dahl story, also unknown to the writers and director George Seaton. However, when the script was coincidentally offered to Dahl’s wife, Patricia Neal, she spotted the resemblance straight away and brought it to her husband’s attention. (She turned down the female lead, which went to Eva Marie Saint.) MGM was required to pay a large sum for the film rights of Dahl’s very brief story to avoid a lawsuit. (From IMDB)

Rating – Oscar Worthy (9/10)