Original subtitles

'So long, darling. It was nice while it lasted.

However, there are as good dishes in the Mediterranean

as ever flew out of it.'

Joanne! Joanne!

Joanne! What's the matter with you?

For the last time, either I drive or you go alone.

I said- Why don't you lay down for a few hours?

Why don't you push off?

Can I offer you a lift? Thank you.

Joanne! Joanne!

Where to?

Rome? Milan? Athens?

On the Moyenne Corniche, between here and Monte Carlo. It's only 5km.

I didn't wait to be introduced.

Husband or boyfriend? Neither.

Oh. A lucky man.

It isn't luck.

Pre-destination, then?

Not even that. So what's left?

You have just walked into a trap...

..Mr Gallant, Gullible Simon Templar.

An attractive trap. What happens next?

Ah, good morning, Templar. Morning.

Same question. Husband or boyfriend?

Same answer - neither.

Sorry about this theatrical meeting but it's essential we aren't seen together.

Why are we seeing one another at all?

I'm British military intelligence - Colonel Charles Hannerly.

Oh? Headquarters where?

London. That can be checked?

Indeed it can.

What do you want, Colonel Hannerly?

Have you had an extraordinary proposition put to you in the last few days?

Yes. By whom?

A rich elderly French lady. She didn't appeal to me.

I'm serious, Templar. All right.

What proposition? And by whom?

The Russians.

Why would the Russians proposition me?

You followed this case, of course?

He's a brilliant agent even if he is against us.Born in Moscow.

Spring's not his real name. He's their top agent in England.

The Russians would give their eye-teeth to get him out. They may approach you.

Why?

Two weeks ago you gave a newspaper interview,

saying the easiest thing in the world would be to organise Spring's escape.

You even suggested you could do it yourself.

I might be arrested because of a little light hearted banter with a reporter? Not at all.

So relax, Colonel Hannerly. Go back to Whitehall.

I don't work with the Russians. WE want you to.

Spring is now prepared to work for the West as a double agent.

Then let him escape. You have enough trouble keeping people inside.

The Russians would smell a rat at once if it looked too easy.

This escape has to be genuine.

By that I mean only a dozen people in England will be in the know.

Impossible. Not if you organised it.

On the Russians' behalf.

Well, you've intrigued me.

You'll be pitting your wits against the entire British police force.

Drink? Thanks. Scotch.

Everyone on our side must believe the escape's genuine.

What am I to be paid for this? Nothing.

Thanks.

By us. But of course the Russians will pay you a fortune.

And you'll be doing a huge service for the West. You have a sale.

Splendid.

Good luck. Cheers.

For obvious reasons you won't be seeing me again but Miss Dell here,

who has no known connection with Intelligence will be your contact.

Miss Dell. Joanne. Call on her if you want anything.

I'll try to think of something.

Your plane ticket for London. You fly this afternoon.

Oh, er...Colonel Hannerly...

..how do I contact the Russians?

The Russians, Mr Templar, will contact you.

Yes, Operator, that is in London.

Whitehall 3920. Colonel Charles Hannerly.

Colonel Hannerly's office. Is he there, please?

I'm sorry. Colonel Hannerly's out of town.

He said he was going out of town. South of France, Nice, isn't it?

Who's calling, sir? Is he in Nice?

I'm sorry, I cannot divulge information as to Colonel Hannerly's whereabouts.

Thank you.

You've been a naughty boy.

In the past. This afternoon.

Checking up on the Colonel in Whitehall.

Oh, my innocent love, anybody can say they're in British Intelligence,

but nobody can invent an office in Whitehall.

Do you want to be saved?

Well, it's a little late for that.

Keep smiling, Mr Templar, and invite me in.

I've a gun here. And you're also covered from the mews.

In that case I definitely want to be saved.

I must admit you have a novel way of recruiting.

What is this? The Church Militant?

I'm Marie Spring. So...?

I want you to help my husband escape.

How?

It has been said you thought you could do it.

Oh...

All right, Mrs Spring. Who sent you? No-one.

For a lone woman you have a highly efficient intelligence service.

How about the guns in the mews? They don't exist.

I don't have a gun either. You can look if you like.

I'll take your word for it.

Why should I help a traitor escape? He's not a traitor!

He's not even British.

He's Russian, doing a very dangerous job.

He's still on the other side so why should I help him?

You have a reputation. Not for helping Russia.

You wouldn't be helping Russia.

He's no use to them any more. He's finished.

I want my husband back. I love him.

Mrs Spring, I'm touched. But again, why should I help him?

For money. I'll pay well.

How well? How much do you want?

Mrs Spring, the first principle in any deal is let the other side talk first.

�3,000.

On your way, Mrs Spring.

I'm afraid you'll have to seek salvation elsewhere.

Four. Forget it. Besides, it wouldn't work.

Why not? For a start, your coming here was sheer lunacy.

Our security people will have tailed.

Of course they did. But I lost them. You needn't worry.

Really?

All right. Talk.

I'm not a rich woman.

Come off it, Mrs Spring. You can't fool me for a second.

The Russians sent you. So let's talk sensibly.

I'm willing to pay anything within reason.

And if your husband is no more use to them,

why do they want him out?

They'll never get men of my husband's calibre to work for them.

Because every time they're caught they're just abandoned.

True.

OK, I want �10,000 in cash. One third in advance,

the balance on delivery. All right.

And I only deliver him. How they get him out of the country is their business. Agreed.

Do you really think you could do it?

Of course. If I move during the trial,

most people wait until they're convicted before trying to escape.

The element of surprise will work in our favour. �3,500.

I see you came prepared. Why all the haggling?

Departments are the same everywhere - get a bargain if you can.

There's my address and phone number. Thank you.

Now, no more visits. Our security boys weren't born yesterday.

Mr Templar, my husband is a wonderful man.

I'm sure Eva Braun felt the same about Hitler.

Simon Templar? I can't believe it.

Inspector Teal, I saw her go in and I saw her leave.

What would she be doing there? Planning her husband's escape.

Wild guesswork. She didn't go into a cinema, disguise herself,

sneak out and visit him for a cup of tea! Templar would never work for the Russians!

He may be a friend of yours but - I didn't say he was a friend,

I said I know him and he'd never work for the Russians.

Most people have a price, sir.

That's incredible.

Come in.

Excuse me, sir, there's a Simon Templar here to see you.

Oh. Show him in.

Quick. Inside there. Leave the door open and listen.

Thank you.

Hello, Claude. You're looking magnificent.

May I?

And what's this unexpected visit in aid of?

Information. Who is in charge of John Spring's physical security?

I am.

Well, couldn't be in more capable hands, could it?

Especially with my help.

His wife called on me. Is that so?

She asked me to organise his escape.

Did she really?

Is that all you have to say? Don't you believe me?

Of course I believe you. What did YOU say?

Well, I temporised.

Then I came here.

Very laudable.

Did she say who sent her?

No, she came of her own accord.

Apparently the Russians have no further use for him.

What I can't figure out is why she came to me of all people.

Can't you? Claude, you know I wouldn't do that kind of work.

Apparently, other people think you would.

That's the penalty of having a reputation.

Thank you for coming in.

Is that all, Claude?

What do you want? A medal?

No. But I thought if we were to string her along,

she might lead us to- You keep out of this, do you hear me?

Yes, Claude.

I'm in charge and I'm happy with my precautions. Yes, Claude.

And I don't want any help. Yes, Claude.

And if you get any further approaches, do nothing!

One false move and I'll slap you in jail so fast you won't know what's hit you.

OK, Claude, if that's how you feel...That IS how I feel!

My mints!

Seems I should apologise. Why?

Well, he reported it, didn't he? Let me tell you something about him.

The more he smiles, the more helpful,

the more co-operative, the more honest and charming he is,

the more you can be sure he's plotting something diabolical!

The question is...what?

Excuse me. Could I have a light? Sure.

How do you feel?

Angry.

I am sorry. It is a harmless drug.

Yes, but effective. Oh, yes.

I am a friend of Mrs Spring.

A Russian friend?

A friend who wants to know why you take money from her

to help her husband, and then you go straight to Scotland Yard.

Well, I'll tell you, Mr... Vulanin.

Mr Vulanin. I went to Scotland Yard to protect the one person in the world

I really care about. Who?

Me.

I'm sorry, you talk in riddles.

It was a stupid thing to do to send Mrs Spring to my house.

The point is - Oh, sure, steps were taken

to throw off the people who were trailing her but they failed.

She was followed. You're sure?

Of course I'm sure. I followed one of them back to Scotland Yard.

I see.

So this man reported that she visited you.

Naturally.

So if I hadn't gone to them they would have gone to me.

And what did you tell them?

The truth - or part of it.

That she asked me to organise her husband's escape,

and I said I temporised. A pity.

So this ends your efforts on our - On Mrs Spring's behalf.

Well, Mr Vulanin, that depends.

But they will be watching you.

I'll lay a false trail while I'm organising the real escape.

Very risky.

True.

And as it's very risky it's going to cost you �15,000 instead of ten.

A lot of money. I hate to shock you, Mr Vulanin,

but I'm not doing this out of love for Mother Russia.

All right. �15,000.

Where do I deliver Spring?

That I cannot tell you now. I have to know.

He'll be red-hot when I get him and I want him out of my hands fast.

I cannot give you the location of one of our safe addresses in advance.

They change from day to day.

As soon as you get him out you call this number.

You will be told where to deliver him.

You're the boss. You flatter me.

Do you really think you can do this thing?

Mr Vulanin, in a capitalist society miracles can be achieved for �15,000.

Tax free.

Hi.

I was followed here.

So was I. Fun, isn't it?

You said we weren't to meet like this. Tactics have been changed.

When are you seeing your husband? Tomorrow.

Do you think you can get a message through without being caught? Yes.

We slip in a few words of Russian here and there.

Now listen carefully.

Got it? Yes. When?

Tuesday. Keep your fingers crossed.

We met at a newstand just off the Edgeware Road.

I said I wanted �15,000 cash, she said no.

What would you have done if she'd said yes? Fainted.

Or I might have been tempted to have a go.

And that's the last you'll hear of it?

I imagine so. Alright.

Thank you, Templar.

Claude, I don't want to interfere...

Then don't. Don't you think you should be tailing Mrs Spring?

You can leave that to me.

Well, Inspector. That seems straightforward enough.

There's something rotten in the state of Denmark.

You mean, they're plotting from across the Channel?

I mean keep tailing him. I want a 24 hour watch on Simon Templar.

All right. �260 cash. I drive it away.

Done.

Thanks. Bye-bye.

After him.

The switch operated a mechanism which slid the bookshelves back

to reveal a concealed room behind.

Having operated the switch,

I went inside the concealed room. The accused followed me.

And what did you find in this concealed room?

A powerful radio transmitter,

codebooks and a locked filing cabinet.

What happened then? I cautioned the accused,

and said I was going to arrest him.

Did he make any reply?

He said, "My wife knows nothing about this."

Did he make any further statements? No, sir.

Darling, what will you do? I'm worried about you.

Don't worry about me. It's going to be all right.

I made such a complete mess of things.

You haven't.

Must be ghastly for you being looked at, talked about.

Humiliated. I'm not humiliated. Not a bit.

You must be.You're Russian not English.

You were doing YOUR duty for YOUR country.

In Moscow you're a hero.

Not in London.

I don't care, John.

It doesn't make any difference to me. Do you understand?

Yes. Thanks.

Incidentally...

..I may not be in court tomorrow.

Why not?

Aunt Mildred's coming out of hospital.

Sharp at four.

I have to collect her. I understand.

It's sooner than we expected. But the doctor's been wonderful.

Arranged everything.

I'm very glad.

All she has to do is take a pill once a day and she'll have years ahead of her.

Give her my best. I will.

And remember, darling...

Sorry.

Remember, darling, we both believe in you and love you.

Thanks for coming.

Hi. I'm from America United Press. Did you find a gold-plated pen?

Yes, sir. Where did you drop it? In the press box?

Possibly. If you find it I'll pick it up tomorrow.

Very good, sir.Thanks.

Quiet, isn't it? Yeah.

British justice - the greatest in the world.

Yes. They even give a swine like Spring a chance to get off.

I wouldn't. I'd hang him.

You could be right.

Here, sir! You shouldn't be up there, sir!

Just for one moment.

I'd like a chance to tell the folks back home

I was once in the dock of the good Old Bailey.

Unfortunately, at four this afternoon we lost him in Regent Street.

Lost him?

He knew you were tailing him. No, sir!

Don't look so hurt, Watters.

You're not dealing with an amateur in Templar.

We lost him in a traffic jam. They happen in Regent Street.

All right, go on.

There's no doubt in my mind he's planning Spring's escape. Listen-

YOU listen, sir! Please!

He bought a second-hand covered truck and parked it in a garage in Mitre Street.

Do you know Mitre Street?

Should I?

It adjoins Brixton Prison.

The nearest street to the yard where John Spring takes his exercise.

Later, Templar bought 50 large rockets.

Rockets?

Fireworks.

Enough explosive to blow a tiny hole in any wall.

No, no, no! I don't believe it!

He's having us on. It's a smokescreen.

All the evidence points to a planned escape! I don't care!

I know Templar and his twisted devious mind!

Why the truck? Why the fireworks?

It could be anything from stealing the Crown Jewels

to sinking a fleet but it is not the escape of John Spring!

Open in the name of the law!

I'm parched!

Simon, wakey wakey, you lazy oaf!

This stomach is killing me.

And I hate moustaches.

I think it suits you.

11:10am.

Templar visited by attractive girl and pot-bellied man.

Driving blue sedan.

You'd better not answer the door but you can try and bluff out the phone box.

Right. What's this all about?

Better you shouldn't know. I'd hate to share a cell with you.

Whatever you say.

Hold up the mirror for me, would you?

Incidentally, I like your friend. Who is she?

Just a girl. How's that?

We could be twins.

What a horrible thought but that's the whole idea. There shouldn't be two men like us in the world.

Are you decent? Come on in.

Well?

It er...suits you.

The point is, do you still love me?

Want a frank answer? No. We'd better get moving.

Come on.

Oh, er...Simon. Mm?

Very best of luck. Thanks.

Help yourself to anything you want but keep out of my address book.

Pot-belly and the girl are leaving.

11:25, attractive girl and pot-bellied man

seen leaving Templar.

If you ask me, this whole thing is a waste of time.

The radio transmitter was powerful, capable of worldwide transmission.

Have you seen such a transmitter before?

Yes, sir, I have.

What is the country of manufacture? East Europe, sir.

Thank you. No more questions.

If it pleases Your Lordship,

I should like to recall Detective Inspector Davis at this juncture.

Am I to understand that the evidence regarding the code books

is now to hand? That is correct, My Lord.

Have you any objection, Sir John? No objection at all, M'lud.

We're as anxious as my learned friend to clarify the matter.

Very well.

What is it, Doctor? Cardiac shock.

The ambulance is here, Doctor.Good.

Can't breathe.

I can't breathe.

I'm giving him a shot. Can you help me, please?

Just hold his wrist.

Keep the arm steady.

Do you feel ghastly? Horrible.

It'll pass. Put these on.

Where's this idiot taking us?

Why don't you smile? I just achieved the impossible.

Vulanin. Spring is on the way.

You have done very well but there is trouble.

What trouble? 'Your people move fast.

Their information is good.'

Within ten minutes of the escape, the chosen house was under surveillance.

We cannot use it. I can't hold him.

You must. For a few hours.

While we make other arrangements.

All right. I'll take him to my place.

And don't forget the money.

RADIO: A close watch is being kept at all airports and sea ports.

Special security measures were put into force within minutes of Spring's escape.

These include surveillance of foreign embassies,

and certain houses suspected of being used for subversive purposes.'

'We follow with details...'

Yeah?

Oh, hi, Simon.

Yeah. Yeah.

I get it.

Right away.

Templar's going out.

It's very sinister. He bought a loaf - a French loaf.

While we've been twiddling our thumbs Spring's been sprung.

What?! Teal's having fits.

Pot-belly's back. Want me to make a note?

Don't be funny.

So far so good.

We should never have come here.

It's the best thing as it turns out.

The bloodhounds across the road have just been called off.

I wonder why.

Poor old Teal needs all hands on deck.

But you say he suspects you.

The fact I allowed him to discover I was apparently plotting your escape,

has convinced him I'm not.

I hope you're right. Oh, I am.

You see, he thinks he knows me.

And he knows I would never be as ham-fisted as that.

It's a classic case of the old double-double bluff.

I'll never understand the British.

Well, it's hard to think of you as being anything but British.

Are you really going to work for the West?

If I wasn't, would Colonel Hannerly organise my escape?

Well, you're a brave man.

And a professional. Like you.

Yes, but I work for one side.

Perhaps you'll change.

Never.

That's the basic difference between us.

A woman answering to Marie Spring's description took a train

to Southampton. Inform Hurn Airport.

Right.

Not even a smell of him.

You're positive Templar didn't go out?

Except to buy bread an hour after the escape.

You don't really suspect him, do you, sir?

Only because of the sheer impudence of the whole operation.

Groceries, Mr Templar. They said to tell you the spring chicken was at the bottom.

Thanks.

Looks as though you're on the way.

What have we got here?

Caviar.

Pate.

What's this?

Well, well, well.

Quelle delicatessen.

This could be your marching orders.

Thank heavens. Where to?

It doesn't say.

It says you'll know the place if I say Streatham.

South of the river. Yes, there's a house there.

Must have escaped the attention of your people.

You're to go alone in a taxi. Can you call one? Too risky.

You can't guarantee Teal didn't leave somebody watching you.

He could be trying a double-double-bluff too. True.

I'll drive him.

Is this the end of us?

It needn't be. Good.

There's caviar, pate, and champagne in the ice box.

I'll be back as fast as I can.

I'll wait.

Thanks, Templar. Great work. You're welcome.

Just don't spoil it all by getting caught.

Once is enough.

Goodbye. Good luck. And to you.

Wait, you're going North, away from the river.

Hm. Women drivers. No sense of direction.

A little champagne, Mr Spring, to celebrate your coming funeral.

Solitary confinement.

We're giving you a drug which induces a coma so deep

that to all intents and purposes animation is suspended.

Charming. I should have stayed in Brixton.

In case some over-eager official opens the coffin, you'll appear quite dead.

A little drink, then you must change into black.

Suits my mood - black.

Depressed, Colonel? Sorry to be leaving England, my dear.

I've grown quite attached to it. Not too attached, I hope, Colonel.

All very well for you to talk - you're staying.

One move, you die.

No move, I live.

Are you alone?

Check.

Mr Templar! I am very sorry. So am I.

So very foolish, Mr Templar.

What? Getting caught? I'm furious.

Well...a champagne party.

I should have brought the caviar.

You should have stayed home.

I'm intrigued. How did you cotton on?

This. My tie? Royal Artillery.

I checked the army list.

The real Colonel Hannerly is Royal Horse Artillery -

a snobbish but subtle difference. These little things. Agreed.

You see, for some years now, the rest of the world has been

systematically underestimating the British.

To them, you - we are a second-rate power.

Which means that everything about us is second-rate.

You're doing it now. What?

Under-estimating.

You're standing between me and the gun.

Constant vigilance - absolutely necessary.

The real Colonel Hannerly is away of course.

Of course. Three months.

If you knew why did you get me out?

You've never heard of having your cake and eating it?

What does he say?

He means he wants the �15,000 before he turns us in.

Right. You ARE a professional.

And I take back everything I said about you too.

You see, you were double-crossing me,

so I didn't see why you shouldn't pay for it.

I'm only unhappy you will not be able to spend it now.

He will be. If we lock him up until I'm out of the country.

No. We cannot allow this. Of course we can!

What can he do once Spring has gone? Run to Teal and say, "Sorry, sir,

I organised the escape because I thought I was working for British intelligence"?

He wouldn't dare. And we do owe him a lot. Please.

All right, all right.

The cellar.

Well, thank you for a very sporting attitude.

Think nothing of it. It's all much more cloak than dagger these days.

You'll forgive me if I don't congratulate you all.

Just yet.

You are a fool. He has to die.

But why?

Because I, my dear, have to stay in this country.

I envy Spring. I wish I could sleep for the next 12 hours.

Your passport. Thank you.

And yours.

Plus, death certificate.

And the Home Office transit permit for a corpse.

Exit Colonel Hannerly.

Enter Monsieur Boisson.

Quel dommage.

There will be new passports and papers waiting for you in Paris as arranged.

We better be going.

I shall not be seeing you again.

Good luck.Thanks.

Goodbye, my dear.

Goodbye.

Not too tight. He must be able to breathe.

Immediately we leave, take care of Templar.

Da, Comrade.

See to Templar.

Goodbye.

Where have they gone?

Outside you said, "You move, you die."

Now I'm telling you, you talk or YOU die.

Victoria Station.

Not afraid of the dark, are you?

Yes, all in order, Monsieur Boisson.

Nothing more for you to do till you collect the coffin in Paris.

Thank you.

Stop!

Police! Someone stole my corpse!

Mrs Spring, I'm warning you. I'll hold you indefinitely till you talk.

There's no point in my talking, Inspector.

My husband's escaped and you'll never find him.

She's not bluffing either. Think I don't know that?

I'm the one who's bluffing. So help me, I wish I were dead.

Then this may come in handy.

Claude, you'd better call Dover.

Tell them to pick up a Monsieur Boisson and a girl

before they get on the cross-Channel ferry.

Take the lid off, fellas. Ten seconds to explain!

Spring is here.

But that's not Spring!

Oh, yes, it is.

You got him back. Well done! Wait till the Home Office hears about this.

I wouldn't be surprised if it's not Commander Teal.