I Was Monty’s Double

1958

Directed By

John Guillermin

Synopsis

I Was Monty’s Double is the incredible and true story of how, during World War Two in the lead-up to D-Day, an out of work actor was recruited to impersonate General Montgomery as a decoy to mislead the Germans. The deception proved so successful that the enemy moved several divisions to the North African coast, a move which helped the actual invasion tremendously. Based on M.E. Clifton-James’ book published in 1954.

With D-Day fast approaching, British officers Major Harvey (John Mills) and Colonel E.F. Logan (Cecil Parker) plot to give the Germans misinformation about their military strategy. When Harvey spots an actor (M. E. Clifton-James,) who bears a remarkable likeness to British military leader General Montgomery, he comes up with a plan to use him to impersonate the general in North Africa. Although ‘Jimmy’, as Harvey calls him, is initially doubtful he can carry off an impersonation of Montgomery convincingly, he nonetheless agrees and successfully draws German troops away from Normandy, becoming both a hero and a major military target. But, with a team of German commandos being sent to kidnap ‘Monty’,  has the plan worked a little too well? From director John Guillermin (The Towering Inferno, Death on the Nile)

Cast
M.E. Clifton-James, John Mills, Cecil Parker
Release Date
10 June 2019
extras
  • New interview with historian Terry Crowdy
  • Monty’s Double (1947) – British Pathe short film
  • John Mills’ home movie footage
  • Stills gallery
  • English SDH
Restoration Details

The new digital restoration has been completed from a new 4k 16bit scan of the original 35mm negative.

Pressbook

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