OSS [O.S.S.] **** (1946, Alan Ladd, Geraldine Fitzgerald, Patric Knowles) – Classic Movie Review 10,100

Director Irving Pichel’s 1946 film OSS stars Alan Ladd as John Martin, the leader of a secret American unit of the Office of Strategic Services, dropped behind enemy lines in World War Two France. The American spy team are on a dangerous assignment to destroy the French railway system, without knowing that D-Day is about to happen.

OSS is an exciting, gripping, fast-paced wartime espionage drama with a convincing story (based on real OSS cases) full of persuasive details, rounded characters and a topped off with an effective downbeat ending.

OSS is tensely handled in realist style by director Pichel, and well acted by Ladd, in one of his best films. The writer is Richard Maibaum.

Also in the cast are Geraldine Fitzgerald, Patric Knowles, Richard Benedict, Richard Webb, Don Beddoe, Onslow Stevens, John Hoyt, Gloria Saunders, Harold Vermilyea, Gavin Muir, Egon Brecher, Joseph Crehan, Bobby Driscoll, Julia Dean and Jean Ruth.

© Derek Winnert 2020 Classic Movie Review 10,100

Check out more reviews on http://derekwinnert.com