Military investigator Colonel Edwards is assigned a case involving Major Cargill, a Korean War POW who is accused of treason. Although Cargill admits his guilt and Edwards' superiors are impatiently pushing Edwards to move the case to court martial, Edwards becomes convinced of Cargill's innocence.
Acting
Widmark and Basehart's sweaty, claustrophobic duel.
Direction
Malden's only directorial effort—taught by Kazan, shows.
Writing
Tight procedural that weaponizes ambiguity.
Director
Karl Malden
Richard Widmark
Col. William Edwards
Richard Basehart
Maj. Harry Cargill
Dolores Michaels
Cpl. Jean Evans
June Lockhart
Mrs. Cargill
Carl Benton Reid
Lt. Gen. J. Connors
Martin Balsam
Sgt. Baker
Rip Torn
Lt. George Miller
Khigh Dhiegh
Col. Kim (as Kaie Deei)
Yale Wexler
Capt. Joe Connors
Alan Dexter
Mike
James Douglas
Steve
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Released during the height of McCarthy-era paranoia, the film dared to suggest that extracted confessions might be fraudulent—audacious for 1957.
Karl Malden directed this after Brando insisted he study under Kazan; it's his sole feature as director, and he returned to acting forever after.
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