L'Affaire Nina B. (1961)
Directed by Robert Siodmak

Film Review

Adapted from a novel by Johannes Mario Simmel, L'Affaire Nina B. is a late entry from the esteemed German film director Robert Siodmak. A dark story of political intrigue and betrayal, the film strongly evokes the earlier film noir masterpieces that Siodmak made during the Hollywood phase of his illustrious career, notably The Spiral Staircase (1945) and The Killers (1946), in spite of having a more formulaic and predictable plot.

The film comes near the end of the second European part of Siodmak's career, during which time he delivered some of his most interesting work - Nachts, wenn der Teufel kam (1957) and Die Ratten (1955). L'Affaire Nina B. is a lesser piece, a plodding genre film that is let down by a lacklustre screenplay and some leaden performances, although the Austrian actress Nadja Tiller has a striking presence in the lead role. There is a strong performance from Pierre Brasseur in one of his last screen roles and a suitably atmospheric score from Georges Delerue. L'Affaire Nina B. does not compare well with Siodmak's earlier French films, which include the noirish Mollenard (1938) and Pièges (1939), but it still manages to be a cut above most French genre films of this era.

Film Synopsis

The funeral of German businessman Berrera attracts a distinguished crowd of mourners, but few tears are shed.  His chauffeur, Holden, recalls how, shortly after his release from prison, Berrera hired him and offered him a part in a crucial mission.  Crossing the border into East Germany, Berrera obtains some secret documents which expose a number of senior German figures as Nazi war criminals.  On his return to West Germany, Berrera is arrested on a trumped up fraud charge, but only after he has confided the documents in his chauffeur.  Reluctant to betray his employer, Holden resists various threats, but ultimately gives in - not just to Berrera's enemies, but to also to his seductive wife Nina...