Rent I Was Monty's Double (1958)
3.7 of 5 from 69 ratings
1h 37min
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
- This classic movie directed by John Guillerman, is based on the true story of one of the best intelligence operations of World War II. An actor, trained by Major Harvey (John Mills), is seconded to impersonate General Montgomery on a tour of North Africa. The plan is to divert the Germans' attentions away from the real "Monty" and his plans for D-Day. Starring the real life actor and lookalike M.E. Clifton James and a formidable supporting cast including Cecil Parker, Leslie Phillips, Bryan Forbes and John Le Mesurier, this is a gripping retelling of those fateful few weeks before the Normandy campaign.
- Actors:
- M.E. Clifton James, John Mills, Cecil Parker, Patrick Allen, Patrick Holt, Leslie Phillips, Michael Hordern, Marius Goring, Barbara Hicks, Duncan Lamont, Anthony Sagar, John Gale, Kenneth J. Warren, James Hayter, Sidney James, Brian Weske, Harry Fowler, Martin Shaban, Bill Nagy, Edward Judd
- Directors:
- John Guillermin
- Producers:
- Maxwell Setton
- Writers:
- Bryan Forbes, M.E. Clifton James
- Aka:
- Hell, Heaven or Hoboken
- Studio:
- Optimum
- Genres:
- Action & Adventure, Classics, Drama
- Collections:
- Getting to Know..., Getting to Know: John Mills, Getting to Know: Sidney James, People of the Pictures, Remembering Leslie Phillips
- BBFC:
- Release Date:
- 10/06/2019
- Run Time:
- 101 minutes
- Languages:
- English Dolby Digital 1.0
- Subtitles:
- English Hard of Hearing
- Formats:
- Pal
- Aspect Ratio:
- Widescreen 1.66:1
- Colour:
- B & W
- BLU-RAY Regions:
- B
- Bonus:
- New Interview with Author / Historian Terry Crowdy
- John Mills Home Movie Footage
- Monty's Double (1947) - British Pathe Short Film
- Behind the Scenes Stills Gallery
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Reviews (2) of I Was Monty's Double
A Brave man to do all that - I Was Monty's Double review by AB
The synopsis is elsewhere but given that this film is based on the memoirs of the real-life man who also stars in the film he was a very brave man to take on the role as Montgomery and he must have been a good actor to try and pick up M's habits, gait and mannerisms to the level that it fooled the Germans. Clifton James in this film probably did just what he did in the 'real' scenario but it does not detract from what he did that in the end probably saved a lot of lives. If you read the WIkipedia page on him, the links with well-known people come out that I didn't know - q.v. David Niven, Dennis Wheatley and the fact that James had to have a prosthetic finger
1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.
Special Operations. - I Was Monty's Double review by Steve
Shaggy dog World War II tale based on an actual incident of a soldier promoted to impersonate Field Marshall Montgomery in the run up to D Day. The intention was to fool German intelligence about where the landings would occur. The film supposes his imitation was so perfect, the Nazis tried to have him killed, though the events are embellished.
The amazing concept of the production is that Monty's double is played by the real life imitator! Based on his own bestseller. This is ME Clifton James who re-enacts history before our eyes. The drawback is that he is quite a wooden actor, though with an amazing likeness for the leader of British army operations in WWII.
The film is pitched as a comedy, with a more serious climax where the Germans attempt to kidnap the fake general. Which never really happened. It's mostly a two hander between James and John Mills in jovial form as the actor's personal coach from British intelligence. Which in reality was the task of David Niven!
It's a likeable, lightweight caper, with little impression of the real risks that James took when plucked out of the pay corps to lead the deception. It comes towards the end of the cycle of fifties WWII films based on the experiences of those who served, often in very unusual and imaginative ways. None more strange than the story of Lieutenant James.
0 out of 0 members found this review helpful.