13 Rue Madeleine 1947
Directed by
Henry Hathaway
Made by
20th Century Fox
13 Rue Madeleine Plot Summary
Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for 13 Rue Madeleine (1947). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.
In a tense wartime espionage thriller, Robert Emmett ‘Bob’ Sharkey is put in charge of a group of American espionage candidates, a task that quickly reveals the movie’s chessboard of deceit and danger. His commanding officer, Charles Gibson, breaks the news that within the trainee cohort lies a German Abwehr agent. The searchhorse is a calculated risk: the traitor is masquerading under the name William H. ‘Bill’ O’Connell, though his true identity is the formidable Wilhelm Kuncel, one of Germany’s top spies.
From the start, the mission is double-edged. The aim is to uncover the date and location of the Allied invasion of Europe, a piece of intelligence that could tilt the war’s balance. To coax misinformation through the lines, O’Connell is posted to London with access to a carefully planted false trail about “Plan B,” a supposed invasion of Germany via the Lowlands, in the hope that the misdirection will reach the right ears back in Berlin.
Three agents—Suzanne de Beaumont, a Frenchwoman played by Annabella, Jeff Lassiter (Frank Latimore), and the test subject O’Connell—are dispatched to Britain to prepare for infiltrations behind enemy lines. O’Connell’s cover is tailored to his familiarity with the Dutch-Belgian region, sending him toward Holland, while Lassiter is given a mission of paramount urgency: kidnap the French collaborator Duclois, who designed and built the main V-2 rocket assembly and supply depot slated to strike the key invasion port of Southampton. Suzanne accompanies Lassiter as the radio operator, creating a tight, perilous trio that will push the boundaries of trust and loyalty.
Tension escalates as Sharkey, under orders to act if deception is suspected, is told to kill Kuncel if necessary. On the flight, Lassiter’s intuition gnaws at him, and Kuncel—never fully trusting the situation—sabotages Lassiter’s parachute, sending him to his death. The mission fractures, and Gibson and Sharkey confront the brutal reality: Kuncel now suspects that the deception has not fully penetrated his cover.
With no time to reassemble a fresh team, Sharkey volunteers to step into Lassiter’s shoes, a dangerous gambit that could reveal the invasion’s true timing. The resistance in France, organized by the town’s mayor Mayor Galimard, swings into action; together they corner Duclois, and the prisoner is brought to England. Yet the clock ticks relentlessly. In a last bid to maintain control over the fragile deception, Kuncel escorts Sharkey to the Gestapo stronghold at 13 Rue Madeleine in Le Havre and subjects him to brutal torture when the truth refuses to surface.
Back in Britain, Gibson has to improvise a devastating counterstrike: a bombing raid aimed at destroying the building before Sharkey breaks. As the sky roars with impending destruction, Sharkey confronts Kuncel with a chilling, almost defiant smile—the moment of triumph he clung to as the bombs begin to rain down, a stark testament to the cat-and-mouse drama of wartime espionage.
What lingers is a stark portrait of courage under pressure, the fragility of trust, and the high price of deception in war. The film threads its suspense through claustrophobic interrogations, high-stakes assignments, and a relentless push-pull between covert operators who gamble everything for a sliver of truth.
13 Rue Madeleine Timeline
Follow the complete movie timeline of 13 Rue Madeleine (1947) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.
Sharkey is tasked with identifying the German spy among the trainees
Bob Sharkey is put in charge of a group of American espionage candidates. His boss, Charles Gibson, reveals that one student is a German Abwehr agent. Sharkey accepts the challenge to identify the double agent and bring the deception to light.
Kuncel is revealed as the German spy Bill O'Connell
Sharkey correctly identifies the student using the alias Bill O'Connell as Wilhelm Kuncel, one of Germany's top spies. Gibson confirms the identity and the real mission begins to unfold. Sharkey prepares to oversee the deception and plan around this discovery.
O'Connell is assigned to London to receive false Plan B intel
Kuncel is posted to London to access and relay false information about Plan B, the invasion strategy. The aim is to mislead German intelligence through controlled data. Sharkey's team uses this placement to feed deceptive material back up the chain.
Lassiter and De Beaumont get their own mission; Duclois target
Lassiter is assigned to kidnap the French collaborator Duclois and bring him to England. De Beaumont accompanies as Lassiter's radio operator. O'Connell remains in London with access to the bogus intel, while the operation is orchestrated to undermine Southampton's V-2 rocket capabilities.
Gibson instructs Lassiter to kill Kuncel if deception is suspected
Gibson warns Lassiter that he must kill Kuncel if he suspects the double agent has not been deceived. The instruction is a precaution to prevent the spy from revealing the truth. The plan hinges on maintaining the deception until the mission reaches its critical stage.
Lassiter's death after parachute sabotage
During the airplane mission, Lassiter grows uneasy, and Kuncel realizes he is suspected. Kuncel sabotages Lassiter's parachute, causing him to fall to his death. Sharkey's team is left without the intended agent to carry out the operation.
Gibson and Sharkey conclude Kuncel now knows the false information
Back in Britain, Gibson and Sharkey determine that Kuncel now knows the information supplied to him is false. The deception plan has been compromised by Lassiter's death. They must pivot quickly.
Sharkey volunteers to replace Lassiter
With no time to brief another agent, Sharkey volunteers to take Lassiter's place in the mission. Gibson is reluctant but agrees. Sharkey assumes the dangerous role, hoping to salvage the operation.
Sharkey and the French Resistance capture Duclois
Sharkey, aided by the local French resistance led by the town mayor, captures Duclois to secure the V-2 depot intel. The capture is part of the broader plan to disrupt German rocket production. They prepare to fly Duclois to England for interrogation.
Sharkey's interception and capture during Duclois's departure
As the airplane departs with Duclois, Kuncel attempts to interfere with the mission. Sharkey prevents interference, but in the process he is himself captured by the Gestapo. The escape route is cut off, jeopardizing the mission.
De Beaumont is killed transmitting news
De Beaumont is killed while transmitting news back to England about the operation. Her death highlights the price paid by the resistance and the mission's risks. The loss compounds the tension among the remaining operatives.
Kuncel tortures Sharkey at Gestapo HQ in Le Havre
Kuncel escorts Sharkey to Gestapo headquarters at 13 Rue Madeleine in Le Havre. He subjects Sharkey to torture as he refuses to reveal information. The interrogation underscores the Germans' determination to uncover the truth.
Gibson orders a bombing raid to destroy the Gestapo HQ
Back in Britain, Gibson has no choice but to order a bombing raid to destroy the building before Sharkey cracks. The raid aims to thwart the torturer and prevent leakage of the true invasion date. The operation reveals the desperation to maintain deception.
The bombing begins; Sharkey taunts Kuncel as he triumphs
As bombs fall, Sharkey laughs in triumph at Kuncel's face, convinced he has prevailed over the deception. The false information remains intact as the building is destroyed. The scene caps the tense cat-and-mouse game between double agents.
13 Rue Madeleine Characters
Explore all characters from 13 Rue Madeleine (1947). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.
Robert Emmett 'Bob' Sharkey (James Cagney)
A seasoned espionage organizer who must identify a German agent among trainees. He embodies resolve and leadership, accepting danger to protect the invasion's integrity. His arc culminates in a brave stand and a grim, determined defiance as the mission unfolds.
Suzanne de Beaumont (Annabella)
A French operative working with the Allied team, serving as Lassiter’s radio operator and ally in the field. She shows courage under pressure and contributes to the mission’s critical communications. Her actions underscore the human cost of wartime resistance.
Jeff Lassiter (Frank Latimore)
An American agent tasked with kidnapping a key collaborator; his unease about O’Connell exposes the tension between trust and suspicion. He ultimately dies when his parachute is sabotaged, highlighting the peril faced by operatives in hostile territory.
William H. 'Bill' O'Connell / Wilhelm Kuncel (Richard Conte)
A top Abwehr spy operating under an alias, tasked with gathering and betraying information about invasion plans. He quickly discerns subterfuge and undermines Lassiter, exemplifying the enemy’s skill at deception.
Mayor Galimard (Sam Jaffe)
A local French resistance leader who assists Sharkey and coordinates with the town to capture a key conspirator. His leadership reflects the resilience of occupied communities in aiding undercover operations.
13 Rue Madeleine Settings
Learn where and when 13 Rue Madeleine (1947) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.
Time period
World War II
Set during the Second World War, the plot centers on espionage, occupation, and the Allied drive to anticipate and disrupt German plans. Key events unfold around the invasion preparations and the risk of compromised information. The period's urgent, clandestine atmosphere drives the characters' risky choices.
Location
Le Havre, London, Netherlands
The story shifts across occupied France and Allied Britain. Le Havre is the site of Gestapo operations, including the 13 Rue Madeleine headquarters, and serves as the local hub for the mission. London hosts the training and coordination, while the Dutch setting in Holland frames the spy's deception-driven assignment.
13 Rue Madeleine Themes
Discover the main themes in 13 Rue Madeleine (1947). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.
🕵️
Espionage
The narrative pivots on double agents, covert operations, and the constant search for unreliable information. Trainees are tested for loyalty, while real intelligence is manipulated to mislead the enemy. The tension arises from who can be trusted as truth vs. deception.
🛡️
Duty
Characters wrestle with personal risk in service of a larger mission. Sharkey’s willingness to step in at a critical moment illustrates leadership and sacrifice. The plan’s success hinges on brave acts under pressure, often at great personal cost.
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Ethics
The film probes the morality of deception in wartime intelligence. False information, compromised plans, and a bombing to prevent disclosure raise questions about when ends justify means. The narrative shows the costs of espionage on both sides and the human consequences.
13 Rue Madeleine Spoiler-Free Summary
Discover the spoiler-free summary of 13 Rue Madeleine (1947). Get a concise overview without any spoilers.
In the shadows of World War II, a secret world of intelligence and intrigue pulses beneath the surface of Allied headquarters. The Office of Strategic Services operates with the urgency of a frontline command, yet it is confined to classrooms, training grounds, and hushed briefings where the future of the war can be shaped by a single whispered code. The atmosphere is taut, a blend of disciplined routine and the ever‑present threat that any misstep could ripple across continents.
Bob Sharkey is the seasoned trainer charged with molding a new generation of operatives. He carries the weight of countless missions behind his steady demeanor, and his instincts are honed to detect anything out of sync with the rigorous standards of espionage. When a fresh recruit arrives, his flawless technique and composure spark a subtle, uncomfortable doubt in Sharkey—a feeling that something essential may be concealed beneath a polished exterior.
The unease is confirmed when Charles Gibson, Sharkey’s superior, reveals that the newcomer, Bill O’Connell, is in fact a senior German operative operating under a false identity. Rather than removing the infiltrator, Gibson makes a calculated decision: the double‑agent will remain embedded, feeding the enemy a deliberately crafted stream of misinformation about the Allies’ most critical operation— the impending D‑Day invasion. This choice frames the entire narrative as a high‑stakes game of deception, where truth and falsehood are constantly renegotiated.
The film sustains a relentless, suspenseful tone, immersing the viewer in a world where loyalty is measured in whispered conversations and concealed motives. As Sharkey navigates the delicate balance between protecting his trainees and executing Gibson’s daring plan, the story hints at the fragile line each character walks between duty and danger. The constant undercurrent of uncertainty, coupled with the claustrophobic intensity of espionage training, creates a compelling portrait of war’s hidden front, where the smallest insight can alter the course of history.
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