Decision Before Dawn

(1951)Directed by Anatole Litvak119 minWar, Action, Thriller
A woman's kiss . . . A lighted cigarette - Each had Its meaning! An exciting and realistic story of war . . . of German Prisoners Sent Back Behind Their Own Lines as Agents of the Allies!

WWII is entering its last phase: Germany is in ruins, but does not yield. The US army lacks crucial knowledge about the German units operating on the opposite side of the Rhine, and decides to send two German prisoners to gather information. The scheme is risky: the Gestapo retains a terribly efficient network to identify and capture spies and deserters. Moreover, it is not clear that "Tiger", who does not mind any dirty work as long as the price is right, and war-weary "Happy", who might be easily betrayed by his feelings, are dependable agents. After Tiger and another American agent are successfully infiltrated, Happy is parachuted in Bavaria. His duty: find out the whereabouts of a powerful German armored unit moving towards the western front.

Richard Basehartas Lt. Dick Rennick
Gary Merrillas Col. Devlin
Oskar Werneras Cpl. Karl Maurer - aka Happy
O.E. Hasseas Col. Oberst von Ecker
Wilfried Seyferthas Heinz Scholtz, SS-Mann
Hans Christian Blechas Sgt. Rudolf Barth - aka Tiger
Helene Thimigas Fräulein Schneide
George Tyneas Sgt. Griffin
Robert Freitagas Sgt. Paul Richter
Harold Benedictas Lt. Pete Gevers
Arno Assmannas Ernst Brandenbacher (uncredited)
Heinrich Bergas (uncredited)
Bert Brandtas German NCO (uncredited)
Jochen Diestelmannas (uncredited)
Ulrich Folkmaras Prisoner (uncredited)
Otto Friebelas Clerk (uncredited)
Gert Fröbeas German Corporal - Nuremberg Control Point (uncredited)
Werner Fuettereras von Bülow (uncredited)
Elfe Gerhartas Barmaid (uncredited)
Loni Heuseras Fritzi Kollwitz (uncredited)
Alexander Kraft-Hohenloheas German NCO (uncredited)
Charles Jacquemaras Volkssturmmann (uncredited)