Man in the Middle (film)

Man in the Middle

Company type	Film
Industry	Film industry
Founded	1964
Headquarters	United Kingdom / United States
Products	War film

Man in the Middle is a 1964 British-American CinemaScope war film directed by Guy Hamilton, featuring Robert Mitchum in the lead role. Set against the backdrop of World War II in India, the narrative focuses on the court-martial of an American officer accused of fatally shooting a British soldier. Mitchum plays Lieutenant Colonel Barney Adams, who is tasked with defending the accused. The movie is alternatively titled The Winston Affair, and is adapted from Howard Fast's 1959 novel.

Plot

During World War II, tensions escalate between British and American forces stationed in India. In 1944, 2nd Lieutenant Winston, an American officer, shoots an unarmed British Staff Sergeant Quinn multiple times in front of witnesses. General Kempton assigns Lieutenant Colonel Barney Adams to represent Winston, aiming to provide a robust defence rather than allowing political pressures to dictate the outcome. Adams discovers that Winston’s brother-in-law, a Congressman, is applying political pressure on the case.

The Army Lunacy Commission confirms Winston’s competency to stand trial; however, nurse Kate Davray reveals that Colonel Burton destroyed psychiatric evaluations that identified Winston as a psychopath. Burton is determined to secure a conviction to alleviate Anglo-American frictions. Adams directs psychiatrist Major Kaufman to present his expert testimony at trial, but Burton arranges for Kaufman’s reassignment. Major Kensington, a British psychiatrist who also identifies Winston’s psychopathy but is cautioned against involvement, believes Winston’s actions stem from feelings of victimisation related to Quinn, who shared some of his responsibilities.

After receiving an anonymous copy of Kaufman’s report from Davray, Adams initially hesitates but eventually incorporates it into his defence strategy. During interrogation, Winston admits he killed Quinn because he believed Quinn had dishonored the white race by associating with a black woman. Despite his personal contempt for Winston, Adams refuses to manipulate the proceedings and awaits Kaufman’s testimony. When Kaufman dies en route to court, Adams calls upon Kensington to verify the report and testify regarding Winston’s mental condition. Under mounting pressure, Winston collapses emotionally, enabling Adams to mount an effective defence.

The resulting verdict helps defuse tensions among troops prior to battle, and Adams spends time with Davray before his departure.

Cast

• Robert Mitchum as Lieutenant Colonel Barney Adams
• France Nuyen as Kate Davray
• Barry Sullivan as General Kempton
• Trevor Howard as Major Kensington
• Keenan Wynn as Lieutenant Winston
• Sam Wanamaker as Major Kaufman
• Alexander Knox as Colonel Burton
• Gary Cockrell as Lieutenant Morse
• Robert Nichols as Lieutenant Bender
• Michael Goodliffe as Colonel Shaw
• Errol John as Sergeant Jackson
• Paul Maxwell as Major Smith
• Lionel Murton as Captain Gunther
• Russell Napier as Colonel Thompson
• Jared Allen as Captain Dwyer
• David Bauer as Colonel Mayburt
• Edward Underdown as Major Wyclif
• Howard Marion-Crawford as Major Poole
• Al Waxman as Corporal Zimmerman
• Terence Cooper as Major Clement
• Basdeo Panday as the Indian Correspondent

Reception

Fox records indicate that the film's budget was $2.8 million; however, it generated only $1.735 million from film rentals, resulting in a financial loss.

External links

• Review by Bosley Crowther in The New York Times, dated 5 March 1964