MovieChat Forums > Foreign Correspondent (1940) Discussion > Information on 'Clause 27.'

Information on 'Clause 27.'

posted 16 years ago by rexshard93
5 replies | jump to latest

Here is the information on "Clause 27." As you all know, Clause 27 is a MacGuffin. But I thought I should post the information if anyone is interested.

Scott ffolliott explains about "Clause 27" like this "He (Van Meer) was one of the signatories to a certain treaty. The most important clause on that treaty was never written down. just memorized by two signatories. It (Clause 27) contains a piece of information very valuable to the enemy in the war that starts tomorrow."

[–] skiddoo 12 years ago

Sounds like one of Agatha Christie's vague reasons for spies and murder. I have never been able to figure out why that would bring on war in her books if it were revealed and I can't see why an unwritten agreement would be that important in this movie, either. Surely by 1940 we all saw that any agreement with Hitler was utterly worthless, anyway, and that people like Chamberlain were taken for fools. So what difference did a treaty make by then to anyone?

[–] zaraath 11 years ago

I assume Clause 27 was a mutual defense pact between the British and Holland(?) That would be useful information to the Germans but as it turned out they managed quite well, until they let the British evacuate Dunkirk.

[–] ElRaisuli 9 years ago

The most important clause on that treaty was never written down. just memorized by two signatories.

I'm reminded of Teddy Brewster's line from "Arsenic and Old Lace."

"A secret proclamation? How interesting!"

[–] npaxton-3 8 years ago

I thought it had to do with where vital information or intelligence would be hidden in the event of war.

[–] MovieManCin2 (26342) 3 years ago

Total rubbish! Treaties are written and then signed. A so called "secret" unwritten clause would be useless because it
could be denied later. A poor effort by Hitch: 5/10.

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