State Secret (1950)
A gripping Cold War chase thriller in which an American surgeon becomes a fugitive hunted across a fictional Eastern European dictatorship.
State Secret - Movie Information
- Original Title: State Secret
- Release Year: 1950
- Directed by: Sidney Gilliat
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Thriller, Drama, Romance, Mystery
- Age Rating (US): NR
- Runtime: 1h 44m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): September 11, 1950 (United Kingdom), October 4, 1950 (United States - NR), November 10, 1950 (France)
- Alternative Titles: The Great Manhunt (US), Secret d'état (FR), Secreto de Estado (ES), Staatsgeheimnis (DE), Государственная тайна (RU)
- Production Companies: London Films Productions, British Lion Films
- Production Countries: United Kingdom
State Secret - Plot
While working in England, an American surgeon Dr. John Marlowe is invited to Vosnia (a fictitious East-European country) to receive an award and demonstrate his life-saving surgery. Unwittingly caught in the middle of a dangerous and corrupt series of political events, Marlowe then becomes the object of a shoot-to-kill, vicious pursuit. Fleeing, he seeks help from an English-speaking actress, Lisa Robinson, and the two attempt to escape across the treacherous mountains of Vosnia.
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State Secret - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Sidney Gilliat
Main Cast
- Douglas Fairbanks Jr.
- Glynis Johns
- Jack Hawkins
- Herbert Lom
- Walter Rilla
- Karl Stepanek
- Hans Olaf Moser
- Guido Lorraine
- Robert Ayres
- Howard Douglas
Writers
- Sidney Gilliat
Producers
- Frank Launder
- Sidney Gilliat
State Secret - FAQs
What is State Secret (1950) about?
State Secret follows Dr. John Marlowe, an American surgeon lured to the fictional dictatorship of Vosnia under the pretense of an award ceremony. After accidentally witnessing a political assassination, he becomes the target of a ruthless state manhunt and must flee across treacherous mountains with the help of actress Lisa Robinson.
Is State Secret based on a book or novel?
Yes, State Secret is adapted from the 1950 novel Appointment with Fear by Roy Huggins. Sidney Gilliat wrote the screenplay himself, transposing the story to a vividly imagined Eastern European setting that gave the film its distinctly Cold War atmosphere and sharp political edge.
Who are the main stars of State Secret?
The film stars Douglas Fairbanks Jr. as the unwitting American surgeon Dr. John Marlowe and Glynis Johns as Lisa Robinson, the actress who helps him escape. Jack Hawkins and Herbert Lom round out the cast as menacing figures of the authoritarian regime hunting Marlowe down.
Where can you watch State Secret online?
You can find current streaming and rental options for State Secret on JustWatch, which tracks availability across platforms in your region. Availability may vary depending on your country, so checking JustWatch is the quickest way to find where it's currently playing.
Is State Secret a Cold War spy thriller?
Very much so. Though released in 1950, State Secret captures the paranoia and political menace of the early Cold War era perfectly. Set in the fictional dictatorship of Vosnia, it blends espionage tension with a classic chase narrative, drawing comparisons to Hitchcock's best man-on-the-run thrillers of the same period.
Who directed State Secret and what else did he make?
Sidney Gilliat directed State Secret and also wrote the screenplay. Gilliat was one of Britain's most respected filmmakers of the era, known for collaborating with Frank Launder on films like The Lady Vanishes (as co-writer) and The Rake's Progress. State Secret is widely considered one of his finest solo directorial achievements.
How was State Secret received by critics?
State Secret earned strong praise upon release and has grown in reputation over the decades. Critics consistently highlight Robert Krasker's atmospheric cinematography, the taut pacing, and the film's sharp political wit. It's frequently cited as an underrated gem of British cinema and a standout thriller of the early 1950s.
What is the US alternate title for State Secret?
In the United States, State Secret was released under the title The Great Manhunt, which more directly emphasizes the film's chase-thriller elements. The film also circulated under different titles in France (Secret d'état), Spain (Secreto de Estado), and Germany (Staatsgeheimnis) for its international releases.
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