Le Transfuge (1985)
A Cold War espionage drama in which an ordinary French businessman is drawn into the perilous world of East-West defection.
Le Transfuge - Movie Information
Le Transfuge - Plot
A French industrialist, Bernard Corain, who frequently travels on business to the German Democratic Republic, is contacted by the SDECE to establish a "relationship" with a high-ranking East German official who wishes to leave his country clandestinely... Although risky and even dangerous, the case seems, at first glance, quite straightforward...
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Le Transfuge - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Philippe Lefebvre
Main Cast
- Bruno Cremer
- Heinz Bennent
- Jean-François Balmer
- Lisa Kreuzer
- Victor Garrivier
- Georges Guéret
Writers
- Simon Michaël
- Philippe Agostini
- Philippe Lefebvre
Producers
- Daniel Vaissaire
Le Transfuge - FAQs
What is Le Transfuge about?
Le Transfuge follows Bernard Corain, a French industrialist with regular business ties to East Germany, who is recruited by French intelligence to quietly facilitate the defection of a senior East German official. What seems like a manageable mission quickly reveals dangerous complications.
Who directed Le Transfuge?
Le Transfuge was directed by Philippe Lefebvre, a French filmmaker. Lefebvre also co-wrote the screenplay alongside Simon Michaël and Philippe Agostini, giving him strong creative control over the film's Cold War espionage narrative.
Who stars in Le Transfuge?
The film features Bruno Cremer as Bernard Corain, the reluctant industrialist at the center of the story, alongside Heinz Bennent as the East German official Heinz Steger, Jean-François Balmer as Captain Pierre Clément, and Lisa Kreuzer as Elisabeth Steger.
When was Le Transfuge released?
Le Transfuge had its theatrical release in France on November 13, 1985. The film is a co-production between Belgium, France, and Germany, reflecting the cross-border Cold War themes at the heart of its story.
Is Le Transfuge based on a true story?
Le Transfuge is a fictional espionage drama, though it draws on the very real atmosphere of Cold War tensions between Western Europe and the German Democratic Republic. The scenario of civilian recruitment by intelligence services was a documented practice of the era.
What genre is Le Transfuge?
Le Transfuge blends Drama and Action, sitting firmly in the tradition of European Cold War spy thrillers. It focuses on the psychological pressure placed on an ordinary man drawn into the shadowy world of intelligence operations and clandestine defections.
What country produced Le Transfuge?
Le Transfuge is a co-production involving Belgium, France, and Germany — a fitting multinational collaboration for a film whose story unfolds across the divided Europe of the Cold War era. It was produced by Plaisance-Prestations.
What are some films similar to Le Transfuge?
If Le Transfuge appeals to you, consider exploring other action-driven thrillers like Gotcha! (1985), The Inheritor (1973), or The Enforcer (2022). Each shares elements of tension, moral ambiguity, and characters navigating dangerous situations beyond their control.
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