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The opening scene of "the two-Headed Spy" has a script that dedicates the film. It reads, "To those men of the Intelligence Service who worked in secrecy. Who struggled and died in darkness. To those lonely and courageous men who risked their lives daily in the enemy camp. This picture is dedicated. And, to one of those men, Colonel A. P. Scotland, O.B.E., British Intelligence Service, whose exploits over the past half century inspired this story. We wish to express our thanks."

Indeed, the background of Alexander Scotland is very interesting. Here was an early implementer of interrogation methods, as well as a highly experienced spy. That's a story worth looking into. Scotland served as adviser for this film. While he had posed as lower ranking German officers and NCOs in World War I and at other times, he said he never was a high-ranking German official. Yet, when one notices some similarities in this film, it does raise a question.

This film stars Jack Hawkins in a fictitious plot as just such a British spy. Gen. Alex Schotland was a British agent who served in the German Army of WW I. But, unlike most in the espionage business, after the war he didn't come out. He stayed in Germany, kept his military affiliation and identity, and when the Nazis began a rise to power, he jumped on the train.

This is a very good and interesting look at how such high level direct espionage might have looked. One quickly comes to the conclusion that the best way to advance and get on the good graces inside the Nazi hierarchy was to agree with Hitler and promise that his every command could be carried out. Especially, if that went against the reasoned, experienced generals, regardless of how bad was Hitler's position. Anyway, that's how Schottland does it here.

A distant romantic connection is provided by Gia Scala who plays Lili Geyr, a renowned German singer and entertainer of troops. The story has an interesting ending. Scala made a few very good films and had a promising career in movies and television. But, she suffered from depression and began drinking heavily. She underwent frequent psychiatric treatment. On April 30, 1972, she died from an overdose of alcohol and sleeping pills.

A high ranking German wehrmacht officer, General Schottland (Jack Hawkins) who has access to Hitler is actually a British spy feeding information back to the Allies and uses a clockmaker (Felix Aylmer) as a go-between.

Although the film claims to be a true story "inspired by" it is sadly anything but. The real life Alexander Scotland was a British spy in the First World War and did not have access to the Kaiser, although he did pose as an officer in the German army and did meet Hitler in 1937. In the Second World War he was in charge of overseeing the interrogatin of German PoWs. Otherwise the film has little relation to actual events and is pure fiction but is a good suspenseful war thriller.

At times the film does seem far fetched, but is good entertainment none the less with some quality moments of suspense.

The story of a brit, who signed up as a german soldier, and gets promoted to general. And starts passing valuable information to the allies. The story is presented as a true story, but in fact, had some inaccuracies. Schottland had served as a german soldier, but prior to world war one. With this knowledge, it becomes another world war two spy thriller, but not quite the documentary it's sometimes said to be. It's still a good tale! Starring jack hawkins, who was nominated for four baftas in the 1950s. Keep an eye out for donald pleasence in a small role. Directed by andre de toth; he had been nominated for the gunfighter in 1951. More details in wikipedia, under the entry alexander scotland.

I have nothing much to add to the reviews already here, but that I loved the film. Stylish, beautifully paced, and remarkably suspenseful, it features an intriguingly controlled and flawlessly nuanced performance by Jack Hawkins, who makes you believe it possible that a British agent, hidden for twenty years, could exist undercover at the highest levels of the Third Reich. And as a sign of the 1958 that produced "The Two-Headed Spy," most revealing of the relationships between international film interests that the blacklisted Michael Wilson and Alfred Levitt were denied credit as scriptwriters in a British film because of its U.S. release by Columbia.

However, for the record, I would like to correct a remark made by oxbridgeup from New Hampshire, who took issue with the use of tape recording in a scene, stating that it was not invented until 1947. Tape recording had actually been invented in Germany in the 1930s; it was used extensively in radio stations and by the Gestapo, most effectively as a tool to issue simultaneous statements by Hitler to units at all the various military fronts to give the Fuhrer the illusion of omnipresence. 1947 is the year the technology was introduced in the United States, and was patented by a group funded by Bing Crosby, who saw the potential in the format. An American audio engineer who, while assigned to the U.S. Army Signal Corps, had absconded with two of the pioneering German Magnetophon recorders (and numerous IG Farben magnetic tapes) at WWII's end, presented the technology to MGM and Crosby. Before this forming of Ampex, Farben had held the rights for magnetic tape (originally patented in the '20s as a long paper strip with an iron oxide coating) and AEG for recording/playing decks and their improvements -- most significantly, AC tape bias and stereophonic recording. Farben was, of course, dissolved in 1945 because of its cooperation with the Nazi regime (and notorious production of Xyklon-B), thus leaving its patents for the taking. How the AEG patents were voided is a mystery to me, but perhaps some knowledgeable reader might enlighten us.

An amazing thriller concerning a British secret agent , Jack Hawkins , infiltrated into high Nazi jerarchy . Along the way, he falls in love for a beautiful singer , Gia Scala . Meantime , the film details as they are extremely controlled by the cruel Gestapo and by one suspecting lieutenant called Reinisch : Erik Schumann . The startling story of the British Agent who fooled Hitler and the whole German Army ! . Fantastic exploits of the Master Spy of World War II ¡

A nice Thriller set in the Nazi period with tension , thrills , suspense, crosses and double-crosses . Based on facts upon the actual story of A.P Scotland's autobiography with interesting screen play from Alfred Lewis , and the black-listed Michael Wilson under pseudonym James O'Donnell . In the film appears or are named various famous Nazi characters, such as : Admiral Canaris , Von Stauffemberg , Kaltenbrunner , Gestapo Chief Muller , Von Rundstedt , Himmler and Fuhrer Hitler himself. Furthermore , the picture details throughout the violent and bloody developing of WWII , including Poland invasion 1939 , as well as 1940 France , Belgium , Denmark , 1940 Sea Lion Operation over England , 1941 Russia campaign , Ardennes Battle , July plot 1944 by Von Stauffemberg , 1945 Berlin siege , among others . Main and support cast are pretty good . Main starring Jack Hawkins gives an acceptable acting as the daring spy posing as a Nazi General and successfully gaining confidence of the entire high command while passes engaging information to Allies . His female partenaire is the gorgeous Gia Scala who sadly died early . And a frankly fine support cast , such as : Alexander Knox as Muller , Walter Hudd as Adm. Canaris , Felix Aylmer, Laurence Naismith , Kenneth Griffith, Martin Benson and brief appearances from Donald Pleasence , Bernard Fox and Michael Caine himself .

It contains an atmospheric cinematograpy in Black and White by Edward Scaife , though a perfect remastering being really necessary . As well as evocative and thrilling musical score by Gerard Schurmann. The motion picture was competently directed by Andre De Toth . This craftsman filmmaker who was blind in one eye directed several films of all kinds of genres such as Western : Indian Fighter , Man in the saddle , Ramrod , Last of Comanches , Carson City , Rifle Springfield , The Bounty Hunter and Peplum or Sword and Sandal : Gold for Caesar , and Terror : House of Wax and Adventure : The Mongols , Morgan the pirate , Tanganyka , WWII : Play Dirty , and Thriller : Crime Wave , Hidden Fear , among others . The Two-headed Spy rating : 6.5/10 . Above average . Well worth watching . Essential and indispensable seeing for WWII enthusiasts .

I didn't start out thinking I was going to like The Two-Headed Spy. I thought it was going to be another WW2 spy movie that would be too wordy and more boring than exciting. By the time the first half hour had passed, I was positively riveted!

Jack Hawkins is a German general, and is very well-respected among his fellow Nazis. Then, he's seen entering an antiques shop and speaking to Donald Pleasance about a rare clock he's looking to buy. The conversation about a clock is merely a ruse until they know they're alone and unobserved—Jack Hawkins is really an undercover British agent!

Previously, I'd only seen Jack Hawkins in a supporting role in Ben-Hur, but he carries off the leading role very well, commanding the screen and expressing every emotion with confidence. The Two-Headed Spy is a very riveting spy movie, with countless tension-filled scenes in which someone could—or does—get caught, discovered, and punished for being a spy. It really is an interesting, overlooked film from the 50s. Gia Scala, another of Jack's contacts, is beautiful and strong, rather like a prettier, more likable Ingrid Bergman. Had this film starred more well-known actors, it would probably be a classic. As it is, it's highly entertaining and fun—rent it for a thrilling evening with your sweetie-pie. The ladies won't be bored with this one, I guarantee it. And, if you're looking closely enough, you can see Michael Caine in one of his earliest movies. He's only on the screen for a couple of minutes, but when you hear the Nazi speaking with a Cockney accent, you can tell it's him!

First of all, thanks to DavidGPS of GB for rectifying what we already knew - that Germany pioneered magnetic tape in the late 1930s. Now lets get to this little-known Jack Hawkins film. Andre DeToth made some excellent movies in his time, but this true story was as gritty as it got in 1958. There are some very hard to stomach scenes of a tyrannical and evil police state at war - not for the squeamish or children, by any means. Among the greatest of WWII movies, Hawkins depicts General Schottland, a British native of German decent who came back to the Fatherland during WW1 and fought in the German ranks. As a result, he was able to infiltrate the German High Command and even became trusted by Hitler. As he became a valued and important source of information to the British, he also endangered himself and all those who helped him. There were some really great WWII movies, but this one has you on the edge of your seat and riveted to the screen for the entire duration. Definitely my favorite Jack Hawkins movie of all time, and hats off to DeToth for daring to be so bold as to show how ruthless the Nazis really were.

Chaplin regarded his cameraman, Andre de Toth, as a suitable pro because he complied with Charlie's orders to a T. No evidence of imagination let alone genius in TWO-HEADED SPY, either,

What you have is a mediocre screenplay "inspired by" the life of a British general who managed to hoodwink the Germans in WWI and for good measure repeated the dosage in WWII. To rise to general and be a two-way spy in a World War once is no mean feat. To do it again in World War II you've gotta be a TWO-HEADED SPY!

Two other possibilities: the Germans were so dumb that they actually allowed an officer born in the UK to rise to general and granted him access to classified military info in not one but two world wars; or then the script lies through its teeth.

I am convinced of the latter because, according to what I have read on the subject, Schottland was in charge of German POW interrogation during WWII, so he could not possibly have had the ear of no less than Adolf himself.

Plodding direction; pedestrian photography given some authenticity by shots in the rubble of carpet-bombed Berlin; inevitably solid Hawkins; beautiful Gia Scala can't act to save her life (and doesn't); and the screenplay is full of credibility holes.

I give it 7 because stiff upper lip Hawkins is always worth watching, and the way he caresses Scala shows he had more than just the famously toned voice and accent.

Jack Hawkins plays an English officer spying from within Hitler's high command and forever under the watchful eye of the Gestapo.

This is an enjoyable, sometimes tense, if rather hard to swallow spy story, held nicely together by director De Toth and the always reliable and very British Jack Hawkins who is particularly impressive herewhen taking advantage of Hitler's absurd self belief. Good support from Felix Aylmer as his British contact and interesting to see Ronald Hines, Donald Pleasence and Michael Caine in very early bit parts.

Jack Hawkins wasn't always renowned for the subtlety of his performances, but he does manage that well here. In this quite plausible adaptation of AP Scotland's fact-based book, he portrays a German officer who works his way up the ranks, ultimately to reach staff rank in the Nazi army - whilst passing on secrets to the British for almost 30 years. The direction is suspenseful and maintains the tension well and the production is adequate - maybe the lighting could have been doing with some added wattage - creating a distinct sense of menace as the Allies close in on Berlin. This is rarely seen, nowadays, but is eminently watchable.

The amazing thing about this film is its actuality - it's a true story, general Schottland was actually a British spy in Germany from 1914 to the end of the second world war, with high responsibilities as a general and trusted implicitly by Hitler himself. The one fellow officer who didn't trust him is played by Alexander Knox who makes a fearful Nazi bully and idiot. Gia Scala plays the woman, a singer in a relationship with Jack Hawkins and others, and there is a traumatic story very similar to "The Counterfeit Traitor" with William Holden and Lilli Palmer some years later, but this is in black and white and sticks very strictly to realism, postponing true romance till after the war, if possible. The situation of general Schottland is hair-raising. His responsibility was tremendous, and he had the power and means to obstruct several of the most vital operations of the Germans during the war, for example the outcome of the battle of the Ardennes, actually causing immense casualties, and that's the shocking insight of this film - you learn how little millions of human lives mattered to officers in charge of the war. They are perfectly strict in casualness, and if one mark with a pen means the sacrifice of millions, it's for them just a mark of the pen. Jack Hawkings keeps up a terrible balance, constantly throwing a glance behind his back, constantly watched by the Gestapo, and ultimately no longer able to suppress his humanity. It's a great film on a small scale and definietely an enduring classic for all times.

This is an exciting movie! I could not imagine that it can be so good. Jack Hawkins is incredibly good in the role of Gen. Alex Schottland and Gia Scala has charm and is very natural in the role of the singer Lily Geyr, some kind of Mata-Hari. A unique movie in the genre Drama, Thriller, War, an exceptional achievement from all points of view.

"The Two-Headed Spy" is a story based on an actual spy within the German high command during WWII. However, according to IMDB, most of the story is sadly fictionalized...making this a not-so-true true story. In fact, when I did read up on the man, I found nearly ALL the film to be made up!! It's a shame, as the story is pretty exciting...just all false.

Jack Hawkins plays General Alex Schottland, a man who has a British and a German parent. During WWI, he served in the German army with distinction and his loyalty to the new Third Reich is unquestioned by nearly everyone...including the Fuhrer. But he hates the Nazis and is working with the British secret service, relaying them information while appearing to be a patriotic German.

I have mixed feelings on this one. The film is exciting, nicely acted and very well made and is a terrific war film. It's just all a giant lie! My suggestion is to by all means watch it...and realize it's just a neat fictional tale.

Was pretty good , believable espionage in start then got more and more outlandish as movie progressed - as Fake German General ( good guy deep cover spy ) Jack Hawkins seems to practically win WW2 (in the West at least) by himself - giving vital info to Allies , undermining and casting suspicion on others , and directly frustrating German plans- by the end - he has turned into a combination 007 James Bond and Batman rolled into one, his one failure , gamely trying but failing to warn Allies of pending German attack in Battle of the bulge , but he saves the chestnuts by making sure the German spearhead would run out of fuel and fail by personally convincing Hitler at a meeting of a bad plan B idea - yea right - This is pure fiction and screenwriter hokum - also not very nice his contacts get eliminated and he uses his rank to shoot some unsuspecting low ranking soldiers in the back - And he makes it to back to England and Moneypenny safe and sound . Way overdone , doesn't hold up . Plus the so tender romance between a young lovely Gia Scala , her actual age then was 23/24 and the old General Jack who was actually an old looking 48 years old at the time -he was old enough to be her father - "didn't hold water" at all - a quote from Cousin Vince movie - a good movie.

Hawkins is imperious and possibly his finest display of acting? It truly captures real drama and has you locked into the undercurrent of living within the Nazi regime. The actors have all turned up and put in a dream performance. This must NOT contain spoilers so I just have to ask you to trust in my knowing you will not be disappointed. It is dark, well scripted and has strong production values. The despair and triumph will have to wait. Unlike some mention this has nothing to do with the real man that some say the film and story is based on. It is hard at times given the subject to not wince. A worthy film. A spy thriller? Certainly.

Whatever the achievements of Colonel Alexander Scotland on behalf of British Military Intelligence, infiltrating Hitler's general staff as a supply officer was certainly not one of them. This myth had been perpetrated by the Press who knew that Scotland had served in the German army earlier in the century and he was apparently advised by Whitehall to say nothing and 'let the story rip.' Film makers of course seldom allow truth to get in the way of a good story whilst Scotland seemed perfectly content to perpetuate the myth by acting as technical advisor on 'Two-Headed Spy', directed by one-eyed André de Toth.

The plot might be absolute bunkum but the film itself is utterly engrossing and holds our attention from the outset with de Toth and his team giving us a real sense of 'being there'. There are to be sure a few weaknesses but these are amply compensated for by some exemplary performances from a mainly British cast which has wisely eschewed cod German accents.

As the title character Jack Hawkins perfectly portrays a man who is walking a tightrope without a safety net and there is a fine performance as his nemesis by Alexander Knox who had played a Nazi in the earlier 'None shall escape' for the same director. Felix Aylmer impresses and genuine German Erik Schumann makes an assured film debut whilst Donald Pleasance makes the most of his brief screen time. The linchpin of the piece is the unconsummated romance between Scotland/Schottland and Lily as played by Gia Scala, an immensely appealing, sensitive but ill-fated artiste who met her tragic end at just thirty-eight.

The interrogation scene of Felix Aylmer's character is particularly gruesome for a British film of the time and reflects de Toth's dictum: "Life is goddam black and I photograph life."

Did André de Toth read the script before shooting this film ? How could a director known for gritty realism, and who had fled the Nazis, sign on to a story that starts with a credible premise and then inflates the protagonist halfway though to fantastic proportions? Who knew that our humble English spy, a sleeper in Germany for 25 years, was Hitler's Svengali or Rasputin ? This story, which was based on a real person and real events, was distorted to completely unrealistic lengths. That is really a shame, becayse the film is very well-crafted and realistic in every other way. Jake Hawkins does Yeoman's work here as the protagonist, and the supporting cast is very good.

"The Two-Headed Spy" from 1958, directed by André De Toth, is a taut and atmospheric espionage thriller set during World War II, featuring a compelling performance by Jack Hawkins as Gen. Alex Schottland, a British intelligence officer tasked with uncovering a Nazi spy ring in occupied France. Hawkins brings depth and gravitas to his role, capturing the emotional turmoil and moral ambiguity of a man caught in the dangerous world of espionage. The supporting cast includes a very young Michael Caine, and the delicious Gia Scalla. The film's cinematography by Edward Scaife is striking, with dark, moody shots that effectively capture the tension of wartime Europe. The score by Gerard Schurmann complements the film's tone nicely, with a suspense-filled, orchestral soundtrack that heightens the drama. The production design is also notable, utilizing authentic locations and sets to recreate the war-torn landscape of Nazi-occupied France. Though not as widely recognized as other WW2 spy thrillers, this film stands out for its strong performances, tense narrative, and expertly crafted atmosphere, making it a notable entry in the genre.