The Two-Headed Spy (1958): Cast & Plot
The Two-Headed Spy is a 1958 war thriller directed by André De Toth, starring Donald Pleasence as Gen. Hardt, Jack Hawkins and Peter Swanwick. It runs 1 hour 33 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 33m (93 min)
- Director
- André De Toth
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Sabre Film Production
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Two-Headed Spy About?
The premise of The Two-Headed Spy without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A wartime thriller with film‑noir style that follows the legendary World II master spy, drawing on A.P. Scotland’s autobiography “The London Cage.” While rooted in true events, the screenplay considerably amplifies Scotland’s exploits and inserts a fictional romance, creating a dramatically heightened version of his real‑life intelligence work.
The Two-Headed Spy Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- spy
- nazi
- nightclub singer
- german
- british intelligence
- assassination plot
- world war two
- berlin germany
- 1940s
- based on true story
- adolf hitler character
- piano
+38 more Show fewer
- dornier do 17 bomber
- supply mission
- nazi general
- italian woman
- 1939
- nazi rally
- scotch whiskey
- nazi salute
- platinum blonde
- clock shop
- dachshund
- accused of treason
- woman wears a strapless dress
- operation barbarossa
- party
- blitzkrieg
- operation sea lion
- female snob
- reference to rudolf hess
- d day
- cleavage
- supply officer
- spy thriller
- dedication
- clock collection
- briton in germany
- clock ticking
- floozie
- clocks
- clandestine meeting
- staff meeting
- female singer
- junkers ju 87 stuka
- map
- newspaper headlines
- mole
- douglas a 20 boston
- nazi invasion of europe
The Two-Headed Spy Cast & Characters
Donald Pleasence leads the cast as Gen. Hardt, with Jack Hawkins as Gen. Alex Schottland and Peter Swanwick as Gen. Toppe. Directed by André De Toth; 42 actors are credited in all.
- Director André De Toth
-
Donald Pleasence as Gen. Hardt -
Jack Hawkins as Gen. Alex Schottland -
Peter Swanwick as Gen. Toppe - Laurence Naismith as Gen. Hauser
Also Starring in The Two-Headed Spy
· 38 more- Martin Benson Gen. Wagner
- Martin Boddey Gen. Optiz
- Desmond Roberts Gen. Zeiss
- Victor Fairley Gen. Rupert
- W. Thorp Deverreux Gen. Kirche
- Deering Wells Gen. Merkel
- Victor Harrington German General at Party (uncredited)
- Ronald Hines German Corporal
- Patrick Halpin German Officer at Party (uncredited)
- Norman Fisher German General at Restaurant (uncredited)
- Johnny Wyne German Officer at Restaurant (uncredited)
- Felix Aylmer Cornaz
- Alexander Knox Gestapo Leader Müller
- Erik Schumann Lt. Reinisch
- Peter Welch Gestapo Major (uncredited)
- Edward Underdown Kaltenbrunner
Show all 42 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Gia Scala Lili Geyr
- Kenneth Griffith Adolf Hitler
- Michael Caine Gestapo Agent
- Geoffrey Bayldon Dietz
- Bernard Fox Lieutenant
- Walter Hudd Adm. Canaris
- Neil Hallett Hitler's Guard (uncredited)
- Clifford Earl British Soldier (uncredited)
- John Dunbar Doctor (uncredited)
- Edward Malin Orderly (uncredited)
- Dudley Foster Gestapo Agent (uncredited)
- Bart Allison Orderly (uncredited)
- John McLaren Bit Part (uncredited)
- Robert Crewdson 1st Gestapo Agent
- Ian Colin Col. Heitz
- Harriette Johns Karen Corscher
- John Brooking Staff Officer (uncredited)
- Nade Beall Eva Fischer
- Martin Sterndale Bit Part (uncredited)
- Sheree Winton
- Richard Grey Field Marshal Keitel
- Victor Woolf Pawnbroker
More from André De Toth
More films directed by André De Toth, best-rated first: House of Wax, Play Dirty, Gold for the Caesars and The Mongols.
The Two-Headed Spy Plot Summary
What happens in The Two-Headed Spy from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In 1939, Gen. Alex Schottland Jack Hawkins is a veteran British agent embedded as a supply overseer in the German Army, a role he’s held since the end of World War I. Though the years have worn him down, he remains committed to the spy game, sustained by the support of his fellow Briton and ally, Cornaz Felix Aylmer, who disguises himself as an antique dealer to keep the network humming. The film follows a tense, double-edged balance between loyalty and danger as the war threatens to widen and the lines between friend and foe blur.
Full summary
The whole story of The Two-Headed Spy, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know The Two-Headed Spy?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which actor portrays the veteran British agent Gen. Alex Schottland?
The Two-Headed Spy Also Known As
6 alternative titles, including “El doble espía” and “I due volti del Generale Ombra”.
- Also known as
-
- El doble espía
- I due volti del Generale Ombra
- El espía de dos cabezas
- Chef de réseau
- O Espia de Duas Caras
- L’espia amb dos caps
Seen The Two-Headed Spy?
Movies Like The Two-Headed Spy
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Spy, The Spy Who Came In from the Cold and Madame Spy.
The Two-Headed Spy FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of The Two-Headed Spy, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Two-Headed Spy?
The Two-Headed Spy runs 1 hour 33 minutes (93 minutes).
When was The Two-Headed Spy released?
The Two-Headed Spy was released on November 17, 1958.
Who directed The Two-Headed Spy?
The Two-Headed Spy was directed by André De Toth.
More films by André De Toth Who is in the cast of The Two-Headed Spy?
The Two-Headed Spy stars Donald Pleasence as Gen. Hardt, Jack Hawkins as Gen. Alex Schottland and Peter Swanwick as Gen. Toppe, among 42 credited actors.
Does The Two-Headed Spy have a post-credit scene?
No. The Two-Headed Spy has no extra scene during or after the credits.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
