| The Defector | |
|---|---|
 French theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Raoul Lévy |
| Written by | Raoul Lévy Robert Guenette Montgomery Clift[a] Peter Francke[a] |
| Based on | 1965 novelThe Spy by Paul Thomas |
| Produced by | Raoul Lévy Conrad von Molo |
| Starring | Montgomery Clift Hardy Krüger Macha Méril |
| Cinematography | Raoul Coutard |
| Edited by | Roger Dwyre Albert Jurgenson |
| Music by | Serge Gainsbourg |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Gaumont Distribution (France) |
Release date |
|
Running time | 106 minutes |
| Countries | France West Germany |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $1.5 million[1] |
The Defector is a 1966thriller film starringMontgomery Clift,Hardy Krüger,Roddy McDowall andMacha Méril. It was directed and co-written byBelgian director/producerRaoul Lévy and based on the 1965 novelL'espion (The Spy) by Paul Thomas.[2]
This was Clift's final film, and he only agreed to the part so that he could prepare himself for his next role in the 1967 filmReflections in a Golden Eye (the role went toMarlon Brando). Although obviously very ill (he died less than three months after most of the shooting was completed), Clift still managed to give a convincing performance in what has been termed a very moody and somber film. This characterization is in stark contrast to the exuberance displayed by his love interest, who was played by Méril, an obviously more youthful woman.
Lévy committed suicide on December 31, 1966, less than two months after the film's American release.
American physicist Professor Bower is effectively blackmailed by a shadyCIA agent named Adams to help the CIA obtain secret microfilm from a defecting Russian scientist. The reluctant Bower travels toEast Germany undercover as an antiques collector, where he encounters Heinzmann, an East German fellow physicist who is also a secret agent. Heinzmann is aware of Bower's meeting with Adams and of his intention to steal the microfilm, but their mutual respect for one another's tactics complicate the proceedings.
Plans for the film, based on the novelThe Spy, were announced in January 1966. It was Montgomery Clift's first film appearance in four years. The original stars announced were Clift,Monica Vitti andHardy Krüger. Filming was to begin on January 29, 1966 in Munich at the Regina Hotel and at the Bavaria Atellier Gestellschaft Studio on a budget of $1.5 million.[1] Levy had previously madeHail Mafia withSeven Arts.[1]
Filming was pushed back until March, meaning that Vitti had to drop out, and she was replaced byLeslie Caron.[3] Then Caron gave up her role shortly before filming began in Munich in March 1966.[4]Nicole Courcel also left the cast and was replaced byMacha Méril.[5] Filming proceeded relatively smoothly in sharp contrast to other later-period Clift films.[6]
Filming was completed in June 1966. Clift returned to New York, where he died the following month.[7]
Critics were generally favorable to the film.Bosley Crowther of theNew York Times said, "Mr. Clift is apt in this his last film — lonely, bewildered, courageous - it's just too bad it doesn't quite ring the bell."[8] TheLos Angeles Times said Clift was "first rate" but called the film "second rate."[9]
The film was not a box-office success in France.[10]