The Man Between (1953)

In the shadowy aftermath of World War II, the divided city of Berlin is the backdrop for a tale of intrigue and suspense in "The Man Between." British native Susanne Mallison journeys to this fractured landscape to reunite with her brother Martin, a military officer who has wed the enigmatic German, Bettina. Susanne, with her innocence intact, can't help but sense a cloak of secrets shrouding Bettina, stirring a storm of curiosity within her. In the labyrinth of Berlin, Susanne encounters the charismatic Ivo Kern, a friend of Bettina's, who promises to be her guide in this foreign city. However, their seemingly innocent encounters take a sinister turn as Ivo becomes entangled with the menacing Halendar from East Germany. Unaware of the danger lurking, Susanne finds herself drawn to Ivo, only to uncover that he is not only Bettina's ex-husband but also a man with a shadowy wartime past. As the plot thickens, Halendar blackmails Ivo into a dangerous game of abduction involving Kastner, a friend of Martin and Bettina's. But the plan derails, turning the tables as Bettina becomes the target, and Susanne is mistakenly whisked away into the murky depths of East Berlin's underground. Trapped in her cold prison, Susanne becomes a pawn in a high-stakes game of political chess, her life hanging in the balance. Ivo, now torn between his past and his newfound affection for Susanne, must navigate a treacherous path through the divided city to rescue her. As the clock ticks, will they manage to outwit their pursuers and cross the border back to the safety of the West? "The Man Between" is a heart-pounding journey through the clandestine corridors of post-war Berlin, where trust is scarce, and betrayal is just a breath away.

The Man Between is a thriller movie featuring Claire Bloom and directed by Carol Reed.

The Man Between is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy.

It is also possible to buy The Man Between on Kino Now.