Danger Within (1960)

Don't listen to the negative reviews

Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

Blistering performances.

There's something about POW escape dramas, you rarely get a poor one. Firstly, unusual to see one set in an Italian camp. I'm not sure the harsh reality of POW camps were put across here, but that's not necessarily what the movie was trying to do. What it does have is an interesting script that moves along at a healthy pace. this is helped by a top notch cast who are all utterly believable. There are definite comedy moments but they don't detract at all from the action. This film was over in what seemed like no time & I would watch it again in a heartbeat. Two minor quibbles. I thought the informant was revealed a shade too early for me and I never felt that his motivation was sufficiently explored. Great, Boys own stuff.

It's not too bad and has good pace, although from the comments already made I was expecting a little more. The cast list is nothing special - mostly second string names, bar Richard Attenborough, though Peter Arne manages a good turn as the commandant.But there was much glossing over the catastrophic mistakes they made - getting the wrong man, the continuing escape failures, and even when it's less than certain that the next plan will work, the British commander decides to opt for the most hare-brained plan of them all - insane!The potential 'whodunnit' surrounding why their plans keep failing is missed entirely, suggesting a low budget necessitating plot simplification, which was a pity. Plot holes a-plenty, badly filled in e.g. the late laundry van. Elements of better films could be seen here, but most of the actors seem all too fit and healthy for it to be anything more than a bit of fun, rather than a more serious attempt to portray the conditions in a POW camp.Indeed, the portly British commander (did he get stuck in that hole? - certainly looked like it!) once berates an officer for 'treating the place like a holiday camp'. Well, they're obviously well fed and bathed (enough spare water to clean up the dead man at the start), plenty to smoke, matches (!), candles, they have music, drama (with costume) and sports, sunbathing - why would you want to break out?? ;-)

Although similar but not as good as Stalag 17, this is one of the best British POW movies. The script is fast paced, the cast is excellent, the acting is top draw , without hamming it up. And like Stalag 17 there is a traitor in the camp. The film blends drama with a good whodunit, and throw in the Camp's production of Hamlet as a ploy to enable a mass escape is an absolute joy. Dennis Price, Bernard Lee,Richard Todd, Peter Arne and a who's who of British actor's make this such an enjoyable film. Richard Attenborough's performance as always is superb. I rate this film and recommend it to anyone who enjoys War-Drama movies. Danger Within is being shown on Channel Four on Tuesday afternoon 12th of July, please watch it, if i had a VCR i would record it!. This film deserves a quality DVD release in it's original aspect ratio, so whoever own's the rights please do something about it.

It never ceases to amaze me the truly wonderful films that you find if you venture from the mainstream. This is one of the greatest finds I have come across in a while.A classic cast of Richard Todd, Richard Attenborough, Bernard Lee, Vincent Ball and Dennis Price are holed up in a Prisoner of War camp in Italy. They struggle against a sadistic camp Capitano (Peter Arne), the impending threat of a German takeover of the camp, internal personal clashes and a traitor in their midst as they try to escape. It sounds like heavy going but with a tight, often witty script and magnificent performances this is simply rivetting viewing. Richard Todd and Richard Attenborough (both underrated actors) especially shine out for their performances.And there is the bonus of seeing a frighteningly young and skinny Michael Caine in a bit part!