Diplomatic Courier (1952)

Diplomatic Courier is directed by Henry Hathaway and adapted by Casey Robinson and Liam O'Brien from the novel Sinister Errand written by Peter Cheyney. It stars Tyrone Power, Patricia Neal, Hildegard Knef, Stephen McNally and Karl Malden. Music is by Sol Kaplan and cinematography by Lucien Ballard.

Power plays Mike Kelly, a Department of State courier who ends up in a nest of intrigue and murder in Trieste when he fails to collect a package from a colleague.

A well constructed espionage yarn. Pace moves at a clip, the black and white photography giving it a semi-documentary feel, which in turn is at one with the Cold War cloud looming over plotting. There's the inevitable requests to suspend disbelief, but that's fine for the sub-genre spy seeking fan. Cast are good, with Power full of determination, Neal deliciously nutty, Malden energetic and the beautiful Knef hinting at the ability that was never realised. There's twists and turns and rocks to look under, while the good and bad guys are never easily identified. All good, really, a safe and sound recommendation. 7/10