What Is Background to Danger About?
The premise of Background to Danger in 259 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the summer of 1942, the rugged landscapes and bustling bazaars of neutral Turkey form a rare crossroads where the clatter of ordinary life hums beside the quiet rumblings of a world at war. Istanbul’s streets and Ankara’s cafés pulse with an uneasy blend of hospitality and suspicion, as foreign powers subtly jostle for influence amid the country’s fragile neutrality. The atmosphere is thick with whispered rumors and hidden motives, turning everyday encounters into potential flashpoints in a continent teetering on the edge of chaos.
Joe Barton, an affable American machinery salesman, finds himself thrust onto the legendary Baghdad–Istanbul Express, a steel artery that carries more than freight and passengers. Onboard he meets Ana Remzi, a striking and enigmatic woman whose composure hints at secrets far beyond her modest inheritance. Their connection sparks a tender curiosity that feels both out of place and perfectly timed, set against a backdrop where even a simple exchange can ripple through the tangled web of espionage. Their tentative romance offers a glimpse of warmth amid the cold calculations surrounding them.
As the train weaves through the Anatolian highlands, the ordinary journey becomes an invitation into a shadowy arena of intelligence operatives, covert agendas, and diplomatic gamesmanship. Joe is drawn, almost involuntarily, into the intricate dance of intrigue, where loyalties blur and every glance may conceal a hidden purpose. The film balances the tension of clandestine maneuvering with the yearning for human connection, inviting viewers to wonder how far one ordinary traveler will go when love collides with the perilous currents of wartime intrigue.
What Happens in Background to Danger?
The complete story of Background to Danger, from the first scene to the last, in 389 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 9 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
In 1942, Nazi Germany pursues a plan to pull neutral Turkey into the war by staging an assassination attempt on Franz Von Papen, Curt Furburg, the Turkish ambassador. Colonel Robinson, Sydney Greenstreet, grows frustrated as Von Papen survives and the Russians that the plot’s provocateur was meant to frame have airtight alibis, forcing a pivot to another scheme designed to inflame Turkey’s traditional rivalry with Russia.
An American machinery salesman named Joe Barton, George Raft, climbs aboard the Baghdad–Istanbul Express and is drawn to another passenger, Ana Remzi, Osa Massen. Worried about customs searches once they reach the Turkish border, Ana asks Joe to hold onto an envelope containing securities, the last remnant of her inheritance. Joe agrees, and when he later examines the envelope he finds maps of Turkey with handwritten annotations, clues that hint at something larger than a simple possession.
When the train stops in Ankara, Joe goes to Ana’s hotel to return the property, only to discover that she has been fatally wounded. He watches unseen as Soviet spy Nikolai Zaleshoff, Peter Lorre, searches the dead woman’s luggage, then exits through a window. He is spotted by Tamara Zaleshoff, Brenda Marshall, Nikolai’s sister and partner in espionage.
Turkish policemen take Joe in for questioning, but they prove to be German agents. They haul him to their leader, Colonel Robinson, who wants the maps. Joe refuses to cooperate and is handed over to Mailler, Kurt Katch, who presses for information. Before the Germans can get far, Joe is rescued by Nikolai. The Zaleshoffs reveal that they are Soviet agents, and Joe agrees to fetch them the documents, though his hotel room is soon found ransacked and the papers disappear.
Back at his base, Joe learns that his boss, McNamara, Willard Robertson, has assigned him an assistant, Hassan, Turhan Bey, and the pair head for Istanbul. There, Robinson has bribed a newspaper publisher to run a story claiming that the documents reveal secret Russian plans to invade Turkey. Joe storms in alone and forces the Nazi ringleader at gunpoint to burn the maps. Robinson is handed over to Turkish police and then to his superior, who is deeply displeased and watches him depart by airplane, certain that he has failed. With the critical maps destroyed, Joe and Tamara set their sights on their next assignment in Cairo.
Background to Danger Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
12 key events in the order they happen, from “Nazi plot to draw Turkey into war” to “New assignment: Cairo”. 12 events name a place, across 5 locations.
- 1
Nazi plot to draw Turkey into war
Nazi Germany schemes to drag neutral Turkey into the war by staging an assassination attempt on Franz von Papen, the Turkish ambassador. The plan is pushed by Colonel Robinson, but von Papen survives and the Russians’ supposed alibis unsettle the Nazis’ narrative. Frustrated, Robinson pivots to a new tactic aimed at inflaming Turkey’s rivalry with Russia.
When:1942 Where:Ankara, Turkey
- 2
Joe Barton boards the Baghdad–Istanbul Express
American machinery salesman Joe Barton boards the Baghdad–Istanbul Express at Aleppo and is drawn to Ana Remzi. Ana entrusts him with an envelope containing securities, asking him to hold onto it for her. He agrees, unaware that the envelope conceals maps and annotated documents crucial to both sides.
When:1942 Where:Aleppo, en route to Istanbul
- 3
Ana is fatally wounded and Joe is watched
In Ankara, Joe returns the envelope to Ana’s hotel room but finds she has been fatally wounded. He hides as Soviet agent Nikolai Zaleshoff searches Ana’s luggage, and Tamara Zaleshoff spots Joe fleeing the scene. This encounter marks the first direct clash of the competing espionage sides.
When:1942 Where:Ankara, Turkey
- 4
Interrogation and rescue in Ankara
Turkish police detain Joe for questioning and assign him to a German-influenced interrogation led by Mailler, who is after the maps. Before the Nazis can squeeze out more, Nikolai rescues Joe, revealing the Zaleshoffs’ true Soviet allegiance. The rescue shifts Joe’s loyalties and options.
When:1942 Where:Ankara, Turkey
- 5
Soviet agents reveal their allegiance
Nikolai and Tamara reveal they are Soviet agents, and Joe agrees to fetch them the documents in exchange for cooperation. He discovers that his hotel room has been ransacked and the documents stolen, complicating their mission. The theft raises the stakes for the upcoming pursuit toward Istanbul.
When:1942 Where:Ankara, Turkey
- 6
Joe joins the US team and heads to Istanbul
Joe informs his U.S. boss, McNamara, that he is an American spy and is assigned Hassan as his assistant. The operation now focuses on moving toward Istanbul to recover or reveal the documents. The new partnership sets up the next leg of the tense chase.
When:1942 Where:From the United States to Istanbul
- 7
Robinson manipulates the press in Istanbul
In Istanbul, Robinson bribes a newspaper publisher to publish an article claiming the documents reveal secret Russian invasion plans for Turkey. The stunt is designed to derail Allied pressure and manufacture political turmoil intended to push Turkey toward the Nazis. The lie tests the resolve of all involved.
When:1942 Where:Istanbul, Turkey
- 8
Confrontation at the newspaper and the escape
Joe barges in to confront the ringleaders, but is quickly captured, and the Zaleshoffs are taken as well. The group makes a desperate escape, during which Nikolai is killed, deepening the personal stakes for Joe and Tamara. The action highlights the fragility of every ally in wartime espionage.
When:1942 Where:Istanbul, Turkey
- 9
Kidnapping for information
Joe kidnaps a German embassy official to learn where Robinson has gone and what he is planning next. The move buys time and provides a clumsy but effective window into the Nazi operation’s logistics. The information gathered sharpens the sense of impending confrontation.
When:1942 Where:Istanbul, Turkey
- 10
Burning the maps at the newspaper
Joe reaches the newspaper and forces the Nazi ringleader to burn the maps, destroying the crucial documents. Robinson is handed over to the Turkish police and then to his superior, facing an uncertain future as he boards a plane in defeat. The act closes the immediate threat to Turkey and the mission’s primary objective is achieved.
When:1942 Where:Istanbul, Turkey
- 11
Robinson’s fate and flight
With the maps burned, Robinson’s Nazi operation collapses. He is effectively sidelined by Turkish authorities and retreats by air, unable to salvage the plan. Joe and Tamara watch the fallout and prepare for what comes next.
When:1942 Where:Istanbul, Turkey
- 12
New assignment: Cairo
Having tidied up the Istanbul chapter, Joe and Tamara head toward Cairo for their next espionage assignment, continuing their collaboration across borders. The journey underscores the ongoing, globe-spanning nature of their work. The narrative closes with the mission continuing beyond Turkey.
When:1942 Where:Cairo, Egypt
Who Are the Main Characters in Background to Danger?
9 characters, among them Joe Barton (George Raft), Nikolai Zaleshoff (Peter Lorre) and Ana Remzi (Osa Massen): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
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Joe Barton (George Raft)
Played by George Raft
An American machinery salesman who doubles as a US spy, Joe Barton is thrust into a dangerous political game aboard the moving train. He relies on street smarts and adaptability to navigate double-crosses while protecting a set of vital documents. His choices propel the plot and test his loyalties between duty and personal risk.
- 🎭 Protagonist
- 🕵️ Secret Agent
-
Nikolai Zaleshoff (Peter Lorre)
Played by Peter Lorre
A Soviet intelligence officer operating within Turkish-occupied space, Nikolai collaborates with Joe at times while pursuing his own mission to secure the maps. His calculations and resolve add a grave, determined edge to the pursuit. His fate heightens the stakes for all involved.
- 🕵️ Spy
- 💼 Double Agent
- AR
Ana Remzi (Osa Massen)
Played by Osa Massen
Ana Remzi is a passenger whose inheritance is tied to crucial maps. The envelope she entrusts to Joe becomes the focal point of multiple factions’ interest. Her death triggers the ensuing chase and exposes the peril surrounding political secrets.
- 💼 Property
- 🧭 Key Document
- TZ
Tamara Zaleshoff (Brenda Marshall)
Played by Brenda Marshall
Tamara is Nikolai's sister and a partner in espionage, navigating loyalties between family, country, and the broader spy network. She demonstrates courage and pragmatism as she aids Joe and fights to survive the escalating danger. Her presence adds emotional depth to the mission.
- 🕊️ Ally
- 💪 Resilient
- CR
Colonel Robinson (Sydney Greenstreet)
Played by Sydney Greenstreet
Colonel Robinson leads the Turkish counterintelligence faction and represents German manipulation of Turkish affairs. He is determined to seize the maps and tilt Turkey toward Axis influence. His obstruction and strategic moves create constant tension for the protagonists.
- 🎖️ Antagonist
- 🧭 Strategist
- M(
Mailler (Kurt Katch)
Played by Kurt Katch
Mailler is a ruthless interrogator who embodies the pressure tactics of the German side in pursuit of the maps. He represents the menace of the regime’s agents and their willingness to break anyone to achieve their aims.
- 🗡️ Interrogator
- ⚠️ Threat
- MM
Mac McNamara (Willard Robertson)
Played by Willard Robertson
Mac McNamara is Joe's U.S. boss who assigns him to the dangerous mission and follows the operation from afar. He provides institutional pressure and strategic oversight, shaping Joe's choices from a distance.
- 🧭 Supervisor
- 🇺🇸 American
- H(
Hassan (Turhan Bey)
Played by Turhan Bey
Hassan serves as McNamara’s assistant in Istanbul, adding to the cross-border dynamics of the espionage operation. He contributes to the shifting alliances and the practical execution of plans in a tense environment.
- 🤝 Ally
- 🕵️ Member
- FV
Franz Von Papen (Curt Furburg)
Played by Curt Furburg
Franz Von Papen is the target of an assassination plot that drives early conflict, illustrating how high-level political figures become pawns in wartime scheming. His role anchors the broad geopolitical stakes of the story.
- 🎯 Target
- 🕳️ Catalyst
Where and When Is Background to Danger Set?
Background to Danger is set in Baghdad, Aleppo, Ankara, Istanbul and Cairo (1942). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
1942
The events take place in 1942, during World War II when Nazi Germany seeks influence over Turkey. The period is defined by assassination plots, coded maps, and covert assignments carried out on crowded trains and in smoky rooms. Geopolitical maneuvering and rapid shifts in allegiance drive the espionage narrative.
Where
Baghdad, Aleppo, Ankara, Istanbul, Cairo
The story unfolds across the Baghdad–Istanbul Express corridor, with key scenes in Aleppo, Ankara, Istanbul, and Cairo. The route runs through wartime hubs where spies, soldiers, and civilians cross paths amid mounting tension between Axis, Allied, and neutral powers. The setting evokes a globe-spanning espionage thriller set in a turbulent WWII landscape.
- 🗺️ Wartime hubs
- 🚂 Train routes
What Are the Themes of Background to Danger?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Espionage, Loyalties and Power & Neutrality.
-
01
Espionage
Espionage sits at the center of the story as Soviet, German, and American agents maneuver to gain control of sensitive maps. The Baghdad–Istanbul Express becomes a moving chessboard where loyalties flip and information is power. Characters juggle personal risk with national objectives, blurring lines between ally and foe. The plot builds on brinksmanship, captures, escapes, and deception.
-
02
Loyalties
Alliances form and fracture across borders as individuals pursue their own ends. Tamara and Nikolai collaborate with varying partners, highlighting complex and shifting loyalties. Joe Barton must navigate competing duties to both his country and his growing sense of responsibility. The arc explores how relationships adapt under pressure and suspicion.
-
03
Power & Neutrality
Turkey's precarious neutral stance becomes a battleground for larger powers seeking advantage. The plot shows how neutrality can be exploited, manipulated through propaganda and diplomatic pressure. Maps, assassinations, and media influence illustrate the fragile balance that keeps the region from tipping into open conflict. The story questions whether neutrality can withstand aggressive coercion.
What Kind of Film Is Background to Danger?
Tense in tone, with fast pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Tense
- Pacing
- Fast
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- High
- Ending
- Happy
A high-stakes, fast-paced spy thriller set in wartime Turkey that creates a consistently tense and anxious atmosphere as an ordinary man is plunged into a dangerous world of assassination plots and international conspiracy.
- suspenseful
- anxious
- fast-paced
- paranoid
- urgent
- clandestine
- espionage
- world war ii
- political intrigue
- international conspiracy
Content notes: murder, wartime violence, kidnapping.
Quiz
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Where to Watch Background to Danger
Rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
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