The Defector (1966)
October 19, 1966Release Date
Plot.
Where to Watch.
Currently The Defector is available for streaming online, rent, buy or watch for free on: Vudu
Streaming in:🇺🇸 United States
This Movie Is About.
Cast & Crew.
Montgomery Clift
Professor James Bower
Hardy Krüger
Counselor Peter Heinzmann
Macha Méril
Frieda Hoffmann
David Opatoshu
Prof. Orlovsky
Christine Delaroche
Ingrid Weiß
Hannes Messemer
Dr. Saltzer
Karl Lieffen
Major Windisch
Peter Francke
Writer
Uta Levka
Mädchen unter der Dusche
Roddy McDowall
Agent Adams
Johannes Buzalski
Spitzel
Eckart Dux
Professor James Bower (voice) (uncredited)
Jean-Luc Godard
Orlovsky's Friend (uncredited)
Raoul Lévy
Director
Eduard Linkers
Fluchthelfer Franz Ritter (uncredited)
Robert Guenette
Writer
Media.
Details.
Release DateOctober 19, 1966
Original NameL'espion
StatusReleased
Running Time1h 40m
Genres
Wiki.
The Defector is a 1966 thriller film starring Montgomery Clift, Hardy Krüger, Roddy McDowall and Macha Méril. It was directed by Belgian director/producer Raoul Lévy and based on the 1965 novel L'espion (The Spy) by Paul Thomas.This was Clift's final film, and he only agreed to the part so that he could prepare himself for his next role in the 1967 film Reflections in a Golden Eye (the role went to Marlon Brando). Although obviously very ill (he died less than three months after most of the shooting was completed), Clift still managed to give a convincing performance in what has been termed a very moody and somber film. This characterization is in stark contrast to the exuberance displayed by his love interest, who was played by Méril, an obviously more youthful woman.
Lévy committed suicide on December 31, 1966, less than two months after the film's American release.