The Traitors (1962)

This movie was so-so. It had it's moments, but wasn't the greatest.

In other words,this film is a surreal ride.

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

Although I see that other reviewers have praised THE TRAITORS as one of the finer examples of the British B-movie spy genre, I thought it was quite hard work if I'm honest. The film sees the typically tough Patrick Allen on the track of some Cold War spies and aided by various parties including an American import and Reed De Rouen. This low budget movie has an occasional on the street piece of grit to it but more often than not the lack of money means that it's a talky affair lacking in suspense and excitement.The film only really gets going with a couple of scenes set in a swimming pool towards the end which make good use of the authentic surroundings. Up until that point it's just guys sitting around in rooms and occasionally bugging other people and listening to their conversations. I'm well aware that this is what spying is really like so THE TRAITORS does have the ring of authenticity to it, it's just a pity it's so dull as a result.

...screams the spy arrested at the Harrow Road Baths as he struggles with his M.I.5 captors,and at the time - the height of the CND movement,the strange fascination Kruschev inspired in the British Left Wing press, this country,dull,dreary and lifeless,seemed almost like an East European Soviet satellite - he clearly felt he had a point as his Masters promised the Working Classes a better deal than he felt they were getting in Britain. As he was led away cursing,even the spycatchers seemed discomfited by his words. "The Traitors" can be seen to have hugely influenced espionage films from "The Ipcress File" onwards with its semi verite style and extensive use of real London exteriors.There are still boarded - off bombsites 17 years after the war ended,the clothes are drab and entirely suited to the black and white photography and what traffic there is appears to be travelling suicidally fast through an unrecognisable Notting Hill. See "Ring of spies" for a similar example of the superior small English picture that has a lot to say about the state of the country at about the same time. There is not a wasted shot in the whole film,not a line of dialogue that needed to be excised. It is a brilliant example of what good film makers can do with a big imagination and a small budget. Currently showing on the excellent "Talking Pictures" Freeview channel.

The Traitors is a excellent film compared to most other second features of the same period, 1962. It has a very good story by Jim O'Connolly, writer-director of another fine B movie, Smokescreen, in a tale of spies in London exchanging government information in a cat and mouse chase between the secret agents and the security men. The characters are well-rounded and have good, sparky dialogue that is often humorous too which gives them more humanity. Most second features of the 1950s and 1960s were just pot-boilers to while away an hour or so before the main feature came on. Good and credible performances by reliable British actors such as Patrick Allen, James Maxwell and Harold Goodwin etc make The Traitors a taut and suspenseful piece of film making by director Robert Tronson. The cinema used by the spies to exchange information is not the Coronet at Notting HIll, which is on a left-hand corner. The cinema in The Traitors is on a right-hand corner and looks like the ABC Fulham Road, at the corner of Drayton Gardens.

Clearly this film was inspired by the revelations of various communist spies in the establishment and actual spy rings.This is a very neat and fast paced thriller with an exciting climax.It is also interesting for those of us living in London at the time what it was like.I have to say it looks rather down at heels with the grime of years of coal staining the buildings.No supermarkets yet,so a United Daries grocers shop next to the surgery with its windows full of tins.The cinema used is the Coronet Notting Hill.I am pleased to say that it is still operating and still looks pretty much the same inside.Anyway a thoroughly entertaining film.