David Niven
Niven was involved in recruiting James into the operation in real life.
So why was he not included in the film? Was it even considered?
"Remember, you have to make it home to get paid" (The Dogs of War)
At the time...for whatever reason, David Niven requested his involvement in the project be omitted.
You'll have to wait till 2044 to find out why....by which time most of us can ask Messrs Clifton James AND Niven
.....IN PERSON!!
A year later...... . Hasn't it come to light more recently, that Niven was involved with British Intelligence, as well as being a serving officer in the army? Back in 1958, he was probably very coy about his intelligence work. Perhaps he was deployed to recruit James because of his acting background, one actor to another, sort of thing, to help persuade James to take it on.
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