Rating of
3/4
Lucas+Spielberg's inspiration behind you-know-who?
Indyfreak - wrote on 01/26/16
Entertaining wartime spy movie with a terrific performance from Franchot Tone. Watching Tone play the lead in a film such as this makes me wonder why he wasn't a bigger star. He has the charisma and humor for it. Anne Baxter is also good as his combative love interest as is the international cast of familiar faces such as Akim Tamiroff, Peter van Eyck, and Fortunio Bonanova. I'm admittedly disappointed in Erich von Stroheim's appearance as Erwin Rommel. It's more caricature than I'm sure he hoped for. It's impressive how Billy Wilder manages to keep the action and intrigue interesting despite it taking place in such a confined location. Some noted film makers such as Cameron Crowe have labeled "Five Graves to Cairo" as the forerunner of the Indiana Jones movies. I can see its influence on the franchise's atmosphere and setting and even some of the characters' interactions with each other. However, those that watch this movie with that in mind shouldn't expect non-stop action and globe-trotting heroics. The movie is smaller in scope but just as much fun with its well written mystery, strong characters, and clever twists.
