Taylor's role is very well written if not so well acted. What made this film work for me was the stark contrast between the American political experience, that of freedom, and the totalitarian state of Nazi Germany. This is dramatized beautifully by the role Taylor plays as a naive American totally overwhelmed and frustrated by the citizens and workings of the Nazi police state. He blusters, he whines, he begs but seems unable to grasp how the lives of people living under such a regime are so totally different than his own. It would be fascinating to watch this film with,say, a Russian audience circa 1980. As far as I know, this film is not available on video; Catch if you can -Highly recommended!