MovieChat Forums > Man in the Middle (1964) Discussion > just saw this,it is never on tv.,good fi...

just saw this,it is never on tv.,good film

posted 18 years ago by ib011f9545i
5 replies | jump to latest

I just watched this film on NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC channel in the UK.
It was shown in the FACTS ON FILM series,but I do not know why since it is not a true story or even based on one is it?
Most films in this slot are things like THE LONGEST DAY which have an obvious factual basis.
I am of course glad they showed it anyway.
Without giving the plot away it involves tension and a murder involving British and American troops in India during World War 11.
There is some good acting in this ,the script is intelligent.
I wonder why this is never on TCM or SKY movie channels,is it not regarded as a good film or is it too lacking in action to be shown ?

[–] christieg2 18 years ago

"Man in th Middle" is based on the novel "The Winston Affair" by Howard Fast. I have just checked my copy of the book and it does not mention that the story is based on factual events. I have never seen this film on TV, but have a poor copy purchased from E-Bay. The film has a very good cast telling an interesting story. My main interest is Robert Mitchum, but Keenan Wynn steals the show. What a versatile actor he was.

[–] Tim-O-T 15 years ago

Showing now (11am CST, Dec 22, 2008) on Fox Movie Channel.

[–] mojo2004 11 years ago

It was on the FMC today. I found the film confusing. The defendant was prejudiced against Blacks. But he shoots a British officer who had Black women in India? He tells his defense attorney after the war the man he killed was going to have Blacks rise up against Whites? Indian Blacks or British Blacks? To me it would have made more sense if he had killed an American Black soldier. You never really saw any of the tension between the Americans & the British once Robert Mitchum's character was brought in. But you did see the defendant verbally abuse the Black soldier who attended him at the jail. The other source of tension was between Mitchum's character and all the American officers who wanted a speedy conviction. Even if the defendant was insane he was so unlikeable that I ended up not enjoying the film at all.

Sheldon:Was the starfish wearing boxer shorts? Because you might have been watching Nickelodeon."

[–] marbleann 11 years ago

He was talking about the East Indian's. The British called them black.

[–] herc_takes_five 7 years ago

Just watched this on the Fox Movie Channel and I agree -- much better than I was led to believe. Not great by any means, but a good, solid film. Mitchum is excellent and seems committed. He wasn't always and simply went through the motions in plenty of films, sometimes even appearing hungover. But not here. He was especially good in the courtroom scenes, which I wouldn't have expected. In the Mitchum biography Baby I Don't Care, director Hamilton is highly complimentary of Mitchum: "One of my favorite people, both as an actor and as a human being." The supporting players are also good, for the most part. IMO the film was hurt by not having enough backstory on the main characters, especially Winston.