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The Man Who Never Was

1956·Movie
1h 43min·NR
82
GreatGoodWatch score

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Not streaming in United States. Where it is:

The Man Who Never Was fingerprint

Strong craft, light on feelings.

Energy

Tense

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Tension7
  • Adrenaline6
  • Spectacle6

Heart

Emotionally reserved

  • Hopefulness6
  • Nostalgia6
  • Catharsis5

Humor

A little humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Satire & Parody4
  • Wit & Wordplay3
  • Dark Humor2

World

History, mystery, and a real life story

  • World Immersion7
  • Dialogue Centrality6
  • Rewatchability6

Craft

Standout performances

  • Acting8
  • Intrigue8
  • Direction7

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography7
  • Music Composition7
  • Editing6

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFriends NightParty VibeIntergenerationalPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensBackground WatchDrop-in FriendlyThought-Provoking

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You want fast pacing

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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

The most fiendish plot ever conceived! The most amazing "human being" ever created! The most diabolical phantom--

The true story of a British effort to trick the Germans into weakening Sicily's defenses before the 1943 attack. A dead soldier is dressed as a British officer and outfitted with faked papers showing that the Allies were intending to invade occupied Greece. His body is put into the sea where it will ultimately drift ashore and the papers be passed along to German Intelligence.
WWII EspionageHistorical AccuracyBritish IntelligenceDeception & IntrigueSlow-Burning SuspenseClassic War FilmBased on True EventsUnderstated Drama

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about The Man Who Never Was

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Man Who Never Was legally?

GoodWatch doesn't know of a legal streaming option for The Man Who Never Was in the United States right now. Pick another country in the Where to Watch section to check elsewhere.

Is The Man Who Never Was worth watching?

82
GreatGoodWatch score

Yes. It's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 82/100 (IMDb 7.4 and Rotten Tomatoes 88%). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is The Man Who Never Was rated?

NR

It's rated NR in the United States.

How long is The Man Who Never Was?

1 h 43 min

The Man Who Never Was runs 1 h 43 min.

Is The Man Who Never Was based on a true story?

Yes. It's based on real events or a real person's life.

Do critics and audiences agree on The Man Who Never Was?

Critics88
Audiences79

Not quite. Critics rate The Man Who Never Was higher (88) than audiences (79). It may be more rewarding than it is crowd-pleasing.

What language is The Man Who Never Was in?

EnglishGermanLatinSpanish

It was made in English, with some German, Latin, Spanish. Produced in United Kingdom.

In how many countries can I watch The Man Who Never Was?

3CZESGB

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Man Who Never Was in 3 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does The Man Who Never Was use?

Britain Is Only EnglandComposite CharacterContrived CoincidenceThe Film of the BookThe InfiltrationInvented IndividualMake It Look Like an AccidentMy Nayme IsThe Noun Who VerbedUnwanted RevivalVery Loosely Based on a True StoryReading The Enemy's Mailand 1 more

TV Tropes lists 13 storytelling tropes for The Man Who Never Was, including Britain Is Only England, Composite Character, Contrived Coincidence.