Critical reception
The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "A standard espionage adventure on the spying-is-a-dirty-business theme, with the usual quota of red herrings, loose ends and double crosses. Van Heflin gives Maclean a rather attractive line in tired charm that underlines his disenchantment with international intrigue. Still, it is hard to maintain sympathy with any spy who has not yet learned from previous films the sheer folly of meeting other agents at Charing Cross Pier. And the banality of the photography (mostly shot from a "seat in the stalls" perspective) is heightened rather than relieved by the occasional use of arty upside-down shots." [2]
Kine Weekly wrote: This is a good, tense, spy thriller that should please most types of audience. Reliable action attraction. ... It spends its opening reels rather wordily getting the situation established but once this is done it swings into the action, keeps the mystery on the boil and is quite fair with its red herrings: all of which makes for good entertainment without any pretence or artistic frills." [3]
Variety wrote: "Both writing and direction are crisp and tense and spiced with danger and high-pressure situations, yet never wavering into the usual incredible fireworks of the spy film. Set in London, the familiar streets, houses and shops are given an air of brooding menace, fancily alded by some good color lensing by Gil Taylor and sharp editing by Tom Noble. Highspot situations include a showdown battle in a warehouse and an apartment and an atmospheric rendezvous in a London church." [4]
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