Man in the Middle

A courtroom film set in India during the Second World War. An American lieutenant shoots a British sergeant in front of witnesses. There is nothing to dispute about the act: everyone saw it. But the case is not simple, because two armies are working the same front and the British side expects a quick conviction. The assignment given to Major Barney Adams, who takes the defence, is plain: complete the case properly and do not disturb the outcome. Adams decides to actually defend the man. The defence rests on sanity. He looks for the accused's hospital records, talks to doctors and investigates what the army knew. When what he finds is brought into court, nobody is pleased. What the film is interested in is not the crime but how an institution handles the truth in its own interest. Robert Mitchum plays Adams; Trevor Howard, France Nuyen and Barry Sullivan are in the cast. Guy Hamilton directed. A little-known example for anyone who likes courtroom drama and wartime stories. For a viewer expecting action, the film consists entirely of investigation and hearings.