One of the most compelling yet often overlooked British war films, The Man Who Never Was (1956), is now available for streaming on BBC iPlayer.
This classic espionage thriller, directed by Ronald Neame and produced by André Hakim, delves into the intricacies of Operation Mincemeat – a daring World War II deception strategy that played a pivotal role in the Allied invasion of Sicily.
Set against the backdrop of 1943 wartime Britain, the film stars Clifton Webb as Lieutenant Commander Ewen Montagu, the mastermind behind the audacious plan to mislead the Axis powers.
The narrative follows Montagu’s ingenious scheme to plant falsified documents on a corpse, convincing German forces that the Allies intended to invade Greece rather than Sicily. This ruse aimed to divert enemy troops and resources away from the true invasion point, thereby facilitating a smoother Allied entry into Europe.
The ensemble cast delivers stellar performances, with Gloria Grahame portraying Lucy Sherwood, Robert Flemyng as Lieutenant George Acres, Josephine Griffin as Pam, and Stephen Boyd as the German spy Patrick O’Reilly – the latter making his cinematic debut.
The plot unravels the steps of Operation Mincemeat. Montagu and his team acquire the body of a man who died from pneumonia, ensuring the lungs would exhibit signs consistent with drowning – a crucial detail to lend authenticity to the planned ruse.
They create a fictitious identity for the corpse: Major William Martin of the Royal Marines. Equipped with counterfeit documents suggesting an imminent Allied invasion of Greece, the body is released off the coast of Spain, where it is anticipated to fall into German hands. The success of this operation hinges on the Germans accepting the planted information, leading them to redirect their defences away from Sicily.
Adding a layer of authenticity, Montagu himself makes a cameo appearance in the film as an air marshal during a meeting of the Chiefs of Staff. This brief on-screen presence serves as a nod to his instrumental role in the real-life operation and bridges the gap between historical fact and the on-screen account.
Upon its release, The Man Who Never Was garnered critical acclaim for its gripping narrative and strong performances. Nigel Balchin’s screenplay was particularly praised, earning the BAFTA award for Best British Screenplay in 1956.
The film’s reception at the Cannes Film Festival further solidified its status as a noteworthy contribution to the war film genre. Contemporary reviews continue to reflect its enduring appeal, with an 88% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics have praised the film for its “superior Second World War espionage drama” and its “documentary precision” in depicting the events of Operation Mincemeat.
The Man Who Never Was is now available to stream on BBC iPlayer.