Assignment in Brittany, directed by Jack Conway (Viva Villa, 1932), is a 1943 World War II espionage thriller that’s got some action and lots of drama. French sensation Jean-Pierre Aumont makes his U.S. film debut starring as Captain Pierre Matard, a Free French hero assigned to go undercover in search of a hidden German U-boat dock located along the Brittany coast. Along for the adventure are Susan Peters and Swedish sweety Signe Hasso.
Buy Assignment in Brittany DVDCaptain Pierre Matard returns from action in North Africa just to be told he must shave his mustache and head back into action.This time the British Army needs his help. They have a Nazi collaborator (and “horrible” poet) named Corlay laid up in a hospital with a busted leg and he may just be the key to locating a secret U-boat port. This British captive also bears a striking resemblance to Matard. So now Matard must sally forth undercover as Corlay into the lion’s den to thwart the efforts of those nutty Nazis. Not only must he find the Unterseeboot pen but it’s imperative that the locals and Corlay’s family which include his mother (Margaret Wycherly) and his fiance Anne (Peters), don’t become wise to the charade, exposing him before he can reveal the “U-boot” hiding place.
Assignment in Britany is an espionage thriller/drama with some decent action scenes sprinkled about. Aumont does well in his portrayal of both Frenchmen, hero and cad, but I do find him to be a bit of a goofball overall. His performance alongside Susan Peters as Corlay’s fiance Anne (who eventually falls for Matard) is corny and their escape after the stellar commando raid at the end is unbelievable. I can see how the upbeat ending works as a morale booster against the horrors of WWII though.
The Nazis led by George Coulouris as Captain Holz are the stereotypical evil brood that enjoy the torture and suffering of others. William Edwards as Plehec, the old man who runs the underground wire service, is quite humorous in a very serious role, and a young Darryl Hickman does a fine job as Etienne, a child with an important part to play in the success of the resistance. The plot is a bit hokey all around but the fine performances by the cast in general help to combat the plot holes and cliche characters, keeping this war picture watchable. As an added joy, the French and German characters as they are in Assignment in Brittany remind me of the silly 1984 spy spoof Top Secret with Val Kilmer.
The most compelling part of this 98-minute war yarn is the strained relationship Matard, as Corlay, has with his mother, finance, and hometown rival Jean Kerenor (Richard Whorf). Kerenor, a school teacher born with one leg shorter than the other, suspects that this returned Corlay is an imposter right away as he begins to show true courage and concern for his family and countrymen. I was intrigued by the complicated love triangle between Corlay, Kerenor, and Elise the barmaid, especially as it is revealed that she is a major Nazi sympathizer/harlot who helps expose local freedom fighters. Elise’s demise at the hands of Kerenor, who turns out to be a member of La Resistance, when she is caught smooching with a German Captain, is quite gripping and the distraction mother Corlay provides allowing the freedom fighters to escape is most amusing.
Assignment in Brittany has its flaws for sure but is an intriguing slice of WWII movie fun overall. Not the best in its genre but notable for Jean-Pierre Aumont and the solid acting of its supporting cast. Especially amusing, as I found it reminiscent of Top Secret. Perhaps it’s the cliche French and Germans or that Aumont is a bit of a goofball? Either way, Viva la Resistance and “Chocolate Mousse.”
