THE SPIDER AND THE FLY
UK, 1949, 92 minutes, Black and white.
Eric Portman, Guy Rolfe, Nadia Gray, George Cole, Edward Chapman, Maurice Denham, Arthur Lowe, James Hayter.
Directed by Robert Hamer.
The Spider and the Fly is an elegant character study with a pre-World War One setting leading into involvement in espionage during the war. It is a portrait of a genius safecracker who is able to cover his tracks even though known to the police. It is the portrait of a Surete official who, living in isolation, is dedicated to his work and to the unmasking of the safecracker. Between them is Madeleine who veers in her sympathy from one to the other. This web of interrelationships in a criminal world gives the meaning to the fable of the spider and the fly. There are some interesting supporting roles including some work from a very young George Cole.
Direction is by Robert Hamer, one of die Ealing directors who made such films as Kind Hearts and Coronets and Father Brown.
1. A period drama? Portrait of two men and the parallels of their experience and lives? A fable about influence, responsibility and honour?
2. The period setting? France in 1910 The war? Post-war? The musical score?
3. The title and its application? A moral fable?
4. The focus on Philippe and his skills in robbing safes? The build-up to his work, his stylish background, manner - yet his ruthlessness? His using people? His disguises? The return to Paris, having established unbreakable alibis? The frustration of Maubert? The mutual taunting of the two? Madeleine and her devotion to him, he to her? His being caught by Maubert? His prison sentence? The effect on his pride? The request by Maubert to steal the papers? The suspense of his carrying out his mission? Dangers? Skills? The confrontation with Maubert? The ambiguity of Madeleine's attachments? Philippe's final decisions and conscience?
5. The character of Maubert, the lonely man giving himself to his work? His study of Philippe? His knowledge of him? Their fencing at their meetings? The inability to get evidence? The final evidence and his trapping Philippe? Imprisoning him? The war and his transfer to espionage duties? The mission? His decision to commission Philippe? The interaction of the two? The control over Philippe? The importance of Madeleine and his attachment to her? Her changing roles? Her loyalties? Maubert's disappointment? The portrait of a dedicated officer of the law?
6. Madeleine and her attachment to Philippe, the encounters with Maubert and her dependence on him? Her decisions of loyalty Curing the war? Changing fidelity? The sign of contradiction between the two?
7. The portrait of the French police, their methods, detection, justice, prisons?
8. The atmosphere of the war, the war ministers, authorities, decision-making?
9. A blend of action melodrama, character study, moral fable?
