Action of the Tiger (1957)

A Cold War adventure pitting a soldier-of-fortune and a desperate woman against the dangers of communist Albania.

Action of the Tiger - Movie Information

  • Original Title: Action of the Tiger
  • Release Year: 1957
  • Directed by: Terence Young
  • Type: Movie
  • Genres: Action, Drama, Adventure
  • Age Rating (US): NR
  • Runtime: 1h 33m
  • Original Language: English
  • Spoken Languages: Albanian, French, English, Italian
  • Release Date (Theatrical): August 22, 1957 (United Kingdom), August 30, 1957 (United States - NR), February 14, 1958 (Germany - 18), August 6, 1958 (France - U)
  • Alternative Titles: Au bord du volcan (FR)
  • Production Companies: Claridge Productions, Van Johnson Enterprises, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
  • Production Countries: United Kingdom

Action of the Tiger - Plot

A woman hires soldier-of-fortune Carson to smuggle her into Albania by way of Greece. Their trouble is just beginning when they get there.

Action of the Tiger - Trailer

Watch the official trailer and see the adventure unfold:

How a beautiful blonde and a tough smuggler escape the net of Continental conspiracy!

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Action of the Tiger - Cast & Crew

Director(s)

  • Terence Young

Main Cast

  • Van Johnson
  • Martine Carol
  • Herbert Lom
  • Gustavo Rojo
  • José Nieto
  • Helen Haye
  • Anna Gerber
  • Anthony Dawson
  • Sean Connery
  • Yvonne Romain

Writers

  • Robert Carson
  • Peter Myers

Producers

  • Kenneth Harper

Action of the Tiger - FAQs

Is Action of the Tiger based on a true story?

No, Action of the Tiger is not based on a true story. It is a fictional adventure adapted from a novel by James Wellard. The story of a soldier-of-fortune smuggling a woman into communist Albania is an invented thriller, though it draws on the real Cold War tensions of the era.

Did Sean Connery appear in Action of the Tiger?

Yes! Sean Connery appears in Action of the Tiger in a small supporting role as Mike. It's one of his earliest film appearances, made just a few years before he became a global superstar as James Bond in Dr. No (1962). It's a fascinating early glimpse of Connery on screen.

Who directed Action of the Tiger?

Action of the Tiger was directed by Terence Young, the British filmmaker who would later go on to direct the first three James Bond films — Dr. No, From Russia with Love, and Thunderball. The connection to Sean Connery makes this 1957 adventure film a notable early collaboration between the two.

Who are the main actors in Action of the Tiger?

The film stars Van Johnson as the rugged soldier-of-fortune Carson and Martine Carol as Tracy Malvoisie, the woman who hires him. Herbert Lom plays the menacing villain Trifon. A young Sean Connery also appears in a supporting role as Mike, making this a historically interesting cast.

What is Action of the Tiger about?

A determined woman enlists a tough soldier-of-fortune named Carson to smuggle her across the border into communist Albania via Greece, hoping to rescue her brother. Once inside, the pair face mounting danger from hostile forces, making their escape as treacherous as the mission itself.

When was Action of the Tiger released?

Action of the Tiger was first released in the United Kingdom on August 22, 1957, followed by its United States release on August 30, 1957. It later opened in Germany in February 1958 and in France in August 1958, giving it a broad international theatrical run.

What is the runtime of Action of the Tiger?

Action of the Tiger runs for 93 minutes, or about 1 hour and 33 minutes. It's a brisk, well-paced Cold War adventure that keeps things moving from its sun-drenched Greek settings to the tense mountain landscapes of Albania, never overstaying its welcome.

What are some movies similar to Action of the Tiger?

If you enjoy Action of the Tiger, you might also like Far from Men (2015), a rugged adventure set against a politically charged backdrop, or End of the Spear (2005), another story of dangerous border crossings and human courage. Weekend in Taipei (2024) and River Wild (2023) offer similar action-adventure thrills.

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