Taut and tense. WWII in retrospect, distilled to an intriguing, haunting experience, food for thought in the Janus-faced modern world. Frank and heartfelt tale of counter-espionage set in southern France during the final months of WWII. A relatively inexperienced captain, Alger Hutton, is assigned by Army intelligence to the task of sending misinformation to the Nazis through a French collaborationist turned pro-ally. In spite of his effort to keep the contact impersonal, Hutton is attracted to the man and his family and drawn into their friendly circle. Then he meets a lovely young French woman who further complicates his life. The whole business ends in personal tragedy and leaves Hutton transformed from a likable, well-balanced, cheerful young officer into a calloused, heavily drinking vagabond in the space of seven short but eventful months.