The House of Intrigue (1956 film)

The House of Intrigue is an Italian wartime espionage film released in 1956 under the Italian title of Londra Chiami Polo Nord (London calling North Pole). It was written and directed by Duilio Coletti.[1] The film score was composed by Nino Rota.

This article is about the 1956 Italian film. For the silent 1919 film, see The House of Intrigue.

Synopsis

The film stars Philippe Hersent as Landers (code name North Pole), a British radio operator and cryptographer captured in occupied Holland. Under the watchful eye of Colonel Bernes (Curd Jurgens) and other Nazi officials he is forced to send false and misleading radio messages to London in an attempt to undermine British intelligence. This results in the capture of numerous British operatives and resistance fighters.[2]

Meanwhile, in Britain Lt Mary Wintergreen, a pretty female officer (Dawn Addams), says goodbye to her agent boyfriend Cpt John Guinness (Dario Michaelis). Through the radio deception, John and other agents are captured. When John escapes he sends messages to Britain to contradict North Pole's messages but the German's send a balancing message saying that John Guinness himself is the double agent sending misleading information. When Guinness reaches Britain he is put on trial for treason and is sentenced to hang, partly on Mary's own evidence. In Holland the Dutch resistance leader, The Gorilla (Folco Lulli), leads an attempt to release the British agents from the abbey where they are imprisoned. This is unsuccessful and most of the resistance fighters are killed. The Gorilla meets secretly with Col Bernes and tries to trade a list of British agents for his own brother's release (Chris).

Mary sneaks into Holland and makes her way to a music shop in Amsterdam to try to track down Landers (and clear Guinness). She narrowly evades capture as the store owner is a double agent.

Chris is released, but his co-prisoners are allowed to watch his departure and suspect treachery. Mary, however is captured, and falls into the hands of Col Bernes. He shows pity on her as they had a previous affair in Barcelona and gives her free passage to the border. Owing to this unwarranted release Bernes is taken away for his own execution.

Cast

References
  1. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0049450/
  2. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0049450/


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