Operation Amsterdam (1959)

In May 1940 as the Nazis invade the Netherlands, the British government sends a team consisting of two Dutchmen (Peter Finch, Alexander Knox) who are diamond experts and a British officer (Tony Britton) into Amsterdam to secure the city's diamonds before the Germans reach the city. Based on an actual incident, this British WWII action piece is very well done. Set entirely during a 24 hour period, the director Michael McCarthy (who died six months after the film opened) and his editor Arthur Stevens know their way around a thriller. There's very little time wasted as the action starts immediately and never lets down. The script is not much to brag about and perhaps sensing this, McCarthy compensates by jacking up the activity. The film creates a little more suspense by having the film's female lead (Eva Bartok, THE CRIMSON PIRATE) playing an ambiguous character. We're never quite sure if she's a loyal Dutch or working for the Nazis. The film's one downside is Philip Green's awful underscore. Even if you're not into war movies, there's much to like here. With Malcolm Keen and Christopher Rhodes.