Circle of Danger

American Clay Douglas travels to England to investigate the death of his brother, who was part of a special forces unit during World War II. The nature of the fatal gunshot wound suggests that he was shot not by the enemy, but from within his own ranks. He gets the address of Hamish McArran, who lives in Scotland and commanded the special unit. From him, he gets the names of the still living members from whom Clay gradually learns the circumstances of his brother's death. During his research, he gets closer to the author Elspeth Graham, who lives near Hamish and whom he later meets again in London.

With Cat People, I Walked with a Zombie, Out of the Past or Night of the Demon, director Jacques Tourneur made some classics that set the style. In Circle of Danger, we follow Clay Douglas as he tries to investigate the circumstances of his brother's death and find his killer. At the same time, he falls in love with the author Elspeth, who captivates him with her lively manner. Thanks to Tourneur's directing, the frequently changing locations and the great camerawork, the somewhat leisurely crime thriller is greatly enhanced. The almost anticlimactic ending pleasantly surprises by making sanity prevail over anger.

Two versions on the German DVD

In Germany, Ostalgica released the film on DVD as the eleventh installment of the Classic Chiller Collection. This may be somewhat misleading, as Circle of Danger is not a chiller. Included are two versions of the film. One is the original UK version and the cut US version, which has been reduced by 11 minutes of plot. In the latter, some more or less important scenes have been removed, including the complete prologue in which Clay has earned the necessary money for his journey by deep sea salvage, the walk with Elspeth or the conversation with Oakshott at the market, which is even referred to later. The US version is snappier, but the missing scenes make it uneven. One should therefore primarily go for the UK version. In Germany, the film was never shown in theaters, but was dubbed for television in 1990. Unfortunately, the shorter US version was used as a basis.

Picture comparison:

US version:

UK version:

Runtimes:

US version: 71:10 min.
UK version: 82:41 min.

 

Comparison between the shortened US version and the uncut UK version.

Note: we used the German audio track for this comparison and translated the dialogs verbatim for the translation of this article. Therefore, it's possible that it may vary a little from the English original in terms of wording.

[00:00:00][00:00:00]

The US version starts with the US rating card.

The UK shows the BBFC rating at the beginning, followed by the UK distributor.

US: 7 sec.
UK: 19 sec.


[00:01:17][00:01:28]

Immediately after the opening credits, the UK version shows a ship off the coast at Off Tampa in Florida. Ernie is on a dive and is being supplied with oxygen via an air pump. Sammy is in contact with him.

Sammy: "Will you slow down or are you going to finish him off? Hey Ernie, can you hear me? I still can't hear you."
Clay: "How much longer?"
Sammy: "A few minutes."
Clay: "Anything coming through?"
Sammy: "No, still broken."
Worker: "The odds are 10 to 1 that it's another dud."
Sammy: "Hang on...here it comes."

Ernie climbs on and boards.

Clay: "Okay, Ernie, it's tungsten, but how much is down there?"
Ernie: "It's full and overflowing!"

Below deck, Sammy and Clay are talking about how much money they can make on the find. Clay wants to settle up quickly, as a trip to Europe is planned.

Clay: "So?"
Sammy: "Just a minute. That's the least we'll get out of it."
Clay: "Not bad. Really not bad. You sure that's the minimum?"
Sammy: "Sure, I'm sure. Tungsten is tungsten and salvage is salvage. What are you doing?"
Clay: "Division."
Sammy: "Of what?"
Clay: "Wait a minute. That's your part down there, right?"
Sammy: "Sure."
Clay: "What are you giving me for my part and the equipment? Ship, cargo, maps, everything."
Sammy: "You must be out of your mind to stop now that we've found something."
Clay: "Make me an offer."
Sammy: "18 grand."
Clay: "18 grand... With my part of the tungsten, that would be about 30,000 bucks. Okay, we're in business."
Sammy: "I don't get it. We've been hanging out here for months in the waters off Florida. Now that we're about to make some real money, you want to bail."
Clay: "When I was out of the Navy, I thought salvage work was the best way to get 25 grand fast. Well, maybe the four years isn't a record, but..."
Sammy: "What are you doing with it?"
Clay: "I'm taking a trip.... To Europe."
Sammy: "What's the rush? Europe will still be there in a few years."
Clay: "You think? I'm not waiting that long."
Sammy: "You're not going to tell me this is about a woman, are you?"
Clay: "Sammy... I'm not going to say anything."

Clay is next seen entering England.

Customs officer: "You're traveling to England?"
Clay: "That's all."
Customs officer: "How long are you planning to stay in England, sir?"
Clay: "A few more weeks."
Customs officer: "Thank you."

UK: 3:09 min.


[00:13:39][00:17:00]

Film tear in the US: Elspeth and Clay are seen longer, then the children earlier.

US: 1 sec.


[00:14:54][00:18:17]

US fades out as Clay leaves the room.

In the UK, Clay reaches for his hat which is on the table, then a cut to the children singing.

In the next scene, Clay and Elspeth are seen walking.

Elspeth: "Are you sure you want to walk me all the way home?"
Clay: "Sure."
Elspeth: "Then come with me. But you'll have to do a little climbing."

The two climb a small hill and look down on a lake.

Elspeth: "This is what I wanted to show you. It's called rod a' chladaich."
Clay: "What does that mean?"
Elspeth: "It's Gaelic. It means the sound of the coast. Listen. Strange, isn't it?"
Clay: "Yes. Almost like everything is waiting."

Clay goes to light a cigarette and Elspeth lights a match for him.

Elspeth: "Here."

The two look at each other and Elspeth drops the match.

Clay: "Oh, I'm sorry about that.... Let me see."
Elspeth: "It's okay, you just scared me. I think I'd like a cigarette after all."
Clay: "You're not getting sick, are you?"
Elspeth: "No, I'm suffering from hay fever. Could be from that."
Clay: "That's lily of the valley heather, isn't it? That's supposed to bring good luck, right?"
Elspeth: "Yeah, but not for me."
Clay: "You know, I keep thinking this is similar to a place I've been. And then again I don't think so. Maybe that Angus guy was right."
Elspeth: "Angus?"
Clay: "Yeah, he said I belonged here. He said I was a Black Douglas, as they say in the book."

The two continue walking.

Elspeth: "He was just trying to flatter you. The Douglas family is from the plains, if I'm not mistaken."
Clay: "Well, what's the big deal about that? My grandfather used to say that Mary Queen of Scots couldn't have done it without us, the Douglas'."
Elspeth: "With all due respect to your grandfather, I think the poor woman would have had it better had she never heard of your family."
Clay: "Ah no, my family isn't that bad. I guarantee you she couldn't have had the success she did without us."

The two arrive at Elspeth's home.

Elspeth: "No, Lord Boswell was Mary's second husband. And he was no Douglas. Her first husband's murderer was."
Clay: "You're completely wrong, look.... Is this your house?"
Elspeth: "Yes."
Clay: "Oh, I like that."
Elspeth: "We can look it up too, you know? Why don't we just do it? Come on in."

The two go inside.

Clay: "Oh, nice room."
Elspeth: "Oh, I'm afraid it's a little messy."
Clay: "Are you an artist?"
Elspeth: "Well... In a way. I write and illustrate children's stories."
Clay: "Uh-huh..."
Elspeth: "Well, where is this book? It should be here. Would you like something to drink?"
Clay: "No, not right now."
Elspeth: "It might be."
Clay: "Scotland, chapter 4. Agriculture. Aren't you in the wrong place?"
Elspeth: "This is the wrong book. Excuse me."
Clay: "Why are you so interested in Mary Queen of Scots, anyway?"
Elspeth: "I want to know. Which one of us is right, I mean."
Clay: "Oh, sure, yeah. Well, maybe we can settle that some other time. I think I'd better get back now."
Elspeth: "Oh, thank you so much for walking me home. Now you probably think I'm being silly, but I want to be sure."
Clay: "And?"
Elspeth: "And... I'll find the book."
Clay: "You do that."

US: 2 sec.
UK: 3:44 min.


[00:19:56][00:27:02]

Film break in the US: Hamish is seen longer by the shelf. He sees the hat lying there.

UK: 3 sec.


[00:20:49][00:27:57]

Angus is talking to the maid who just brought Clay's suitcase downstairs.

Angus: "Come on, hurry up. The train won't wait for him."
Maid: "Don't worry about it, he has all the time in the world. It's just nine o'clock."
Angus: "Three and a half minutes past. The clock is slow."
Maid: "I just wound it myself last night."
Angus: "My grandfather's clock is never wrong, and I would be grateful to you..."

Clay and Hamish come down the steps.

Clay: "I'm going to say goodbye to your mother."
Hamish: "She's probably in the garden killing all the aphids."
Clay: "Well, I don't want to bug you, but.... You forgot to give me the names."
Hamish: "Oh yeah, that's right. But I've got the list ready."

The two go into the office and Hamish hands him a piece of paper.

Clay: "Fatal casualties? But Hank was the only one in San Celeste?"
Hamish: "Yes, the others joined later. Martin got it in Normandy. These two, we called them the Dollis Sisters, they were killed the same day. O'Hara died of his wounds before D-Day and so did Shane. Smithers, of course, is now dead too. Oh and Piper, he got booby-trapped."
Clay: "Lewis ... Sholto Lewis? Haven't I seen that name somewhere before?"
Hamish: "There was an article in your Time magazine about a year ago. Sholto was very touched by it."
Clay: "It was... Time. If the article was accurate, it must have been some kind of one-man blitzkrieg."
Hamish: "He was... Shane is a great character."
Clay: "I want the addresses."
Hamish: "Well, that's where it gets rather difficult to remember. You see, I haven't kept in touch with that lot."
Clay: "What about Lewis? You must know where to find him."
Hamish: "I should have his address somewhere."

Margaret comes into the room.

Margaret: "Mr. Douglas, Angus says you'll have to hurry if you want to catch the train."
Clay: "I'll be right there. Oh, just a minute more. The address?"
Hamish: "Oh, yes, of course. It's 18 Riverview Terrace. Hammersmith. That's in West London, near the river."
Clay: "I'm good to go."

The two walk out.

Margaret: "It's all right, Angus. Here they come."
Clay: "Goodbye, ma'am, thank you so much for your hospitality."
Margaret: "Goodbye, Mr. Douglas, it's been a pleasure for us. Oh, there's Elspeth."
Clay: "Well then, thank you."
Hamish: "Sorry I couldn't be of more help."
Angus: "Mr. Douglas, we have to go, now!"
Hamish: "Hi Elspeth, out and about early this morning, aren't you? Would you like to come out to the lake?"
Elspeth: "That would be nice. Goodbye."
Hamish: "Goodbye."
Clay: "After all, if you're ever in town for any length of time, don't forget to call.... Call Douglas!"

UK: 2:34 min.


[00:25:40][00:35:23]

Film tear in the US: Clay is seen at the window for a longer time. Afterwards, Elspeth comes into the room earlier.

UK: 1 sec.


[00:27:55][00:37:39]

Clay inquires about Oakshott at a market.

Clay: "Can you help me? I'm looking for someone named Oakshott."
Worker: "What, Bert Oakshott?"
Clay: "Yes."
Worker: "I just talked to him. He's over there already, with the potato sack. Do you see him? Hey Bert, buddy! They're looking for you. Look over here!"
Clay: "Thanks."

Clay walks over to Oakshott.

In the next scene, the two are seen at a snack bar.

Clay: "It's kind of funny, but I've talked to a few of you now, but haven't met anyone who was with Hank when he died."
Oakshott: "That's not surprising. Not on a job like that. Well...to Hank. He was really all right. Pretty strong this morning, right?"
Clay: "Yeah... Would you like a cigarette?"
Oakshott: "You bet! You're welcome."
Clay: "Tell me, did Hank get along with the others here as well as he did with you and Smithers?"
Oakshott: "Well, with Hank, you were either with him or against him. I think it was about 50-50, you know which side I was on. I gave him my good boots when we liberated Norway. He gave me this watch. Here, look at these buttons. It's all there. From infantry soldier up to shiny SS general. Ah, he was a correct guy when it came to souvenirs. He did everything he could to get things that others didn't even care about. Maybe you'd better take that as a reminder."
Clay: "Oh, no. Keep it, it's yours. I'll tell you what you can do: Maybe you can introduce me to a guy named Stoner, Jim Stoner. Llewellyn didn't have his address"
Oakshott: "That's easy. He works for the Thames Conservancy. He's a lockmaster at Shepperton. That's up the river. The other side of Hampton Court."

Then it transitions to the lock.

UK: 1:43 min.


[00:31:18][00:42:45]

Film tear in the US: Clay and Elspeth run into the room early.

UK: 1 sec.


[01:00:57][01.12:26]

Film tear in the US: Clay is seen earlier after he says he wants to go hunting with Hamish.

US: 1 sec.