England mourns the loss of war hero and famed novelist Edgar Brodie as this tangled spy mystery begins. The only problem is that Brodie (John Gielgud) is among the last to know. Returning from the war, he discovers that he has been declared dead, singled out for a new identity, and given a special assignment that will include his new "wife," Elsa (Madeleine Carrol). They are joined by the cool and deadly hit man the General (Peter Lorre) and also pick up the talkative gadfly American Robert Marvin (Robert Young). From the start the mission goes awry as the trio of British agents discover their local informant dead, with a button clenched in his hand the only clue to who killed him. As they struggle to complete their mission a complex love tangle develops with Robert and the General competing for Elsa's affections as she gauges Brodie's indifference. Each follows his or her best instincts, setting up the dramatic climax.

It's 1916 and Edgar Brodie, an accomplished novelist, returns to England from a tour of duty in the war only to discover that he is officially dead. Given a new name, Brodie is sent into Switzerland with a small entourage to kill a German secret agent. Mistrust and tragedy complicate the mission, which proves to have serious political as well as romantic stakes.

Theatrical release: May 1936.

Named one of the year's 10 best foreign films by the National Board of Review.

Actor Michael Redgrave made his first screen appearance with a bit part.

The film was based on two Ashenden stories by Somerset Maugham that were inspired by the author's experiences as a wartime agent.

DVD Features:

Region 1
Keep Case
Full Frame - 1.33
Audio:
Dolby Digital Stereo - English
Additional Release Material:
"Laugh Track" Comedy Audio Track

Robert Young: American actor, THE BLACK CAMEL/Marcus Welby, M.D.
Madeleine Carroll: British Actress
Peter Lorre: Slovakian actor, CASABLANCA, ARSENIC AND OLD LACE
John Gielgud: British Actor/Author, ARTHUR (1981)
Percy Marmont: British Actor
Lilli Palmer: Actress, writer, THE BOYS FROM BRAZIL
Florence Kahn: Actress
Charles Carson: British Actor
Andreas Malandrinos: 

Alfred Hitchcock: Director/screenwriter/producer, VERTIGO, THE BIRDS, PSYCHO

Michael Balcon: British producer, THE 39 STEPS/TOM JONES
Ivor Montagu: Filmmaker/Writer/Producer

Charles Bennett: Screenwriter, '30s-'60s, several screenplays for Hitchcock
Ian Hay: Writer\1935 "39 Steps"
Jesse Lasky: 
Alma Reville: Screenwriter

Louis Levy: British Composer\D. 1957

Charles Frend: British Director/Editor