Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		2.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		2.0

The Counterfeit Traitor Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov August 5, 2022

George Seaton's "The Counterfeit Traitor" (1962) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Via Vision Entertainment. The supplemental features on the release include exclusive new audio commentary recorded by publisher Lee Pfeiffer and film historian Paul Scrabo; Gene Feldman's documentary "William Holden: The Golden Boy"; vintage theatrical trailer; and archival stills. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

The romantic spies

William Holden’s calm and confident voice could have belonged to an elusive WWII spy -- an American spy. However, Holden’s character, Eric Erickson, would have never tricked even a most inexperienced Gestapo agent to conclude that he was anything else but an American pretending to be someone else. This is the crucial flaw at the center of the complex story that is told in George Seaton’s film The Counterfeit Traitor.

Immediately after the opening credits disappear Holden begins reconstructing his character’s past and explaining who he is in the present. Erickson was born and raised in America, but relocated to Sweden, traded his American passport for a Swedish passport, and became one of Scandinavia’s biggest oil exporters. After WWII started, Sweden remained neutral and Erickson’s business grew even bigger because he was able to trade with both sides in the conflict, which is why he has just been approached by the Allies with an offer to work for them. The offer is non-negotiable. If Erickson turns it down, the Allies will supply his German business partners with photos confirming that he is already dealing with the people that made the offer, all of which happen to be well-known spies with long records at Gestapo. Shortly after, Erickson is told what his mission would be and instructed to establish contact with Marianne Mollendorf (Lilli Palmer), a German socialite with plenty of valuable contacts residing in Berlin. Mollendorf, who is risking her life for the Allies as well, will introduce Erikson to high-ranking German officials and be his ‘mistress’ away from Sweden, making his future frequent trips to Germany entirely legit.

While attending social events with Mollendorf, Erikson gradually reveals a newly discovered admiration for Adolf Hitler’s grand vision of Europe, and through new acquaintances begins gathering information about Germany’s strategic oil reserves and industrial development. Erickson then successfully forces his oldest German business partner (Earnst Schroder) to become a spy for the Allies with the same tricks that were used on him as well. However, back home in Sweden his political activism quickly isolates him and begins hurting his business.

As Erickson’s professional relationship with Mollendorf evolves into a romantic relationship, a mole at the very top of the Resistance tips the Gestapo that they are both chameleons reporting to the Allies.

Holden’s character isn’t fictional. It is inspired by a true double agent whose exploits are described in a novel written by Alexander Klein in 1958. Seaton adapted the original material from the novel and directed The Counterfeit Traitor in 1962.

In the film, the chronology of the main events that are described in the novel remains the same and, more importantly, many of these events are recreated at the real locations where Erickson did his work as a spy. Unsurprisingly, the period environment that the film produces is very good. This is quite an accomplishment because at this particular phase of the war neutral Sweden, Germany, and occupied Denmark had very unique appearances.

Unfortunately, Holden was not the right actor to play Erickson. Indeed, his presence before the camera is such that it instantly creates the impression that he is a great Hollywood actor imposing his personality on the spy and redefining his image. As a result, his troubles and much of the suspense that they are a part of frequently look unconvincing. In some of the areas where the disconnect is most obvious, it even looks like Holden is nonchalantly transitioning from a completely different time period. (As odd as it may sound, if one looks carefully enough, one would recognize plenty of similarities between the jaded characters Holden plays in The Counterfeit Traitor and Breezy. They have the same Hollywood-esque personality and even sound extremely similar. In other words, Holden is Holden in two completely different environments).

The large supporting cast isn’t brilliantly used either. For example, initially, Schroder looks a lot like a veteran member of an old British gentleman’s club, not a German baron, and it is only when Holden corners him that he reveals the authentic personality his character needs. Hugh Griffith simply does not look or sound like a man capable of intimidating the future spy. Klaus Kinski has a curious but ultimately very underwhelming cameo. Palmer was the perfect choice for her deceivingly transparent character, but once the crucial connection with Holden is established, she begins acting in a lavish Hollywood romantic melodrama rather than an authentic spy melodrama.

The Counterfeit Traitor Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.78:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, The Counterfeit Traitor arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Via Vision Entertainment.

The release is sourced from an old and most unfortunately very weak master that was supplied by Paramount Pictures. The limitations of this master are enormous, which is why large portions of the film actually do not look any better than upscaled material. For example, delineation, clarity, and depth very rarely can be described as average, so even on a fairly small screen, you will easily see areas that simply lack a decent high-definition appearance. Occasionally, some close-ups reveal a modestly attractive appearance, but even then there isn't enough proper high-definition detail. Panoramic shots are always shaky and even out of focus. Colors are unconvincing. A few primaries are fairly stable, but saturation levels and especially the overall balance should be much better. There is plenty of surface damage -- scratches, flecks, cuts, and even some pretty large blemishes. All in all, I think that it is very fair to conclude that this master simply isn't suitable for a proper Blu-ray release of The Counterfeit Traitor. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray release. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your player regardless of your geographical location).

The Counterfeit Traitor Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are two standard audio tracks on this Blu-ray release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and English LPCM 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.

I did a lot of switching between the LPCM 2.0 track and the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. While the dialog is very easy to follow, I don't think that any of these tracks are right for The Counterfeit Traitor. Obviously, the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is some sort of a (re)mix that was done for the old R1 DVD release, so balance can be pretty unusual at times. The LPCM 2.0 track isn't a proper Stereo track, but a Dual Mono track with some other unusual treats that will definitely not meet the expectations of film purists. So, when the film is eventually fully restored, I am quite certain that the audio will be properly redone as well.

The Counterfeit Traitor Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• William Holden: The Golden Boy - this outstanding archival documentary takes a closer look at the life, career, and tragic end of William Holden. Narrated by Richard Kiley, the documentary features clips from interviews with Robert Wagner, Glenn Ford, Robert Mitchum, and Blake Edwards, amongst others. Directed by Gene Feldman for Janson Media in 1989. In English, not subtitled. (60 min).

• Trailer - an original U.S. theatrical trailer for The Counterfeit Traitor. In English, not subtitled. (4 min).

• Photo Gallery - a collection of vintage production and promotional stills for The Counterfeit Traitor.

• Commentary - this exclusive new audio commentary was recorded by Cinema Retro publisher Lee Pfeiffer and film historian Paul Scrabo.

The Counterfeit Traitor Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Despite the generally great-looking footage from neutral Sweden, Germany, and occupied Denmark, The Counterfeit Traitor is awfully difficult to praise as an authentic WWII film. William Holden gives the reluctant spy Eric Erickson a personality that would have been just as appropriate for the various contemporary characters he played in Hollywood around the same time. Many of the supporting European actors contribute in a similar manner as well. It is why The Counterfeit Traitor frequently seems more convincing as a big-budget made-in-Hollywood romantic melodrama, occasionally even an exotic adventure film, rather than a historically accurate film. Via Vision Entertainment's Blu-ray release is sourced from a very old and regrettably very weak master that was supplied by Paramount Pictures. However, it does feature a very good archival documentary about Holden's life and legacy.