36 Hours (1964)

36 Hours has a premise that's intriguing but which also stretches credulity past what many viewers will consider the breaking point: would Nazi officials in desperate need of extracting vital information about the planned Allied landing really resort to an elaborate hoax to coax it out of an American officer, rather than simply devise a more direct method of interrogation? And even if they did opt to, would they really be able to set up such a complicated ruse in the time allotted? As a theatrical gimmick, however, it has a great deal of potential; unfortunately, writer/director George Seaton seriously undercuts its effectiveness by letting the audience in on the charade early on, rather than letting them discover it as the American officer himself does. The lengthy escape near the end also mutes the film's impact, coming off as too derivative and obligatory. Despite its flaws, however, Hours is an enjoyable espionage thriller, thanks in large part to James Garner and Rod Taylor. Garner is well cast as an honorable, dedicated Army man put into a situation in which he has to determine what is reality and what is fantasy. Taylor does even better as the psychiatrist out to trap him, despite the fact that he has genuine admiration for her adversary's sterling qualities. Eva Marie Saint seems a bit miscast as the supposed wife, but Warner Peters is effective as the venomous Nazi. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide