The story take place in 1946 post-war Vienna when the city was divided into allied sectors, including British and Soviet sectors. World War II was over, but the Cold War between the Western Democracies and Communist Russia had begun. The issue of repatriation of citizens (in the sectors) to their respective countries is the main issue that contributes to this very good movie.
A delegation of British officers is sent to Vienna to handle this assignment and occupy Vienna during this transition period from war time to peace time. The delegation is headed up by Col. Nicobar "Hooky' (Walter Pidgeon) who had lost his arm in World War I. Other delegation members include Marjor McPhimister "Twingo" (Peter Lawford) and Audrey Quail (Angela Lansbury).
When they arrive in Vienna, they are billeted in a Catholic Church headed by the Mother Superior, "Mother Auxilia" (Ethel Barrymore). Besides housing nuns, this Catholic Church also serves as a sanctuary for a Russian ballet dancer, Olga Alexandrova (Janet Leigh), who disguises herself as a nun, (aka Maria Buhlen), so that she can escape being repatriated with Russia.
When the Russian Army Colonel Piniev "Pinhead" (Louis Calhern) demands to search the church for his missing Russian ballerina, Mother Auxilia allows it but is mum on anything that is not a direct question.
The subject of former war allies—now post-war enemies--occupying post- war Vienna sets up many conflicts that go beyond direct orders to repatriate citizens to countries of their origin. There are duties, and then there are moral issues involved too.
Clearly Maira Buhlen does not want to return to Russia. So, what happens when Hooky's military orders tangle with Mother Auxilia's moral duties?
As far as I can tell, the Lawford ("Twingo") and Lansbury (Quail) characters seem to be just part of a love triangle, with "Twingo" in love with Leigh (as Buhlen) and Quail suffering from the unrequited love of "Twingo."
This is a great story with interesting conflicts on several levels: romantic, duty, and spiritual to name but three.
A delegation of British officers is sent to Vienna to handle this assignment and occupy Vienna during this transition period from war time to peace time. The delegation is headed up by Col. Nicobar "Hooky' (Walter Pidgeon) who had lost his arm in World War I. Other delegation members include Marjor McPhimister "Twingo" (Peter Lawford) and Audrey Quail (Angela Lansbury).
When they arrive in Vienna, they are billeted in a Catholic Church headed by the Mother Superior, "Mother Auxilia" (Ethel Barrymore). Besides housing nuns, this Catholic Church also serves as a sanctuary for a Russian ballet dancer, Olga Alexandrova (Janet Leigh), who disguises herself as a nun, (aka Maria Buhlen), so that she can escape being repatriated with Russia.
When the Russian Army Colonel Piniev "Pinhead" (Louis Calhern) demands to search the church for his missing Russian ballerina, Mother Auxilia allows it but is mum on anything that is not a direct question.
The subject of former war allies—now post-war enemies--occupying post- war Vienna sets up many conflicts that go beyond direct orders to repatriate citizens to countries of their origin. There are duties, and then there are moral issues involved too.
Clearly Maira Buhlen does not want to return to Russia. So, what happens when Hooky's military orders tangle with Mother Auxilia's moral duties?
As far as I can tell, the Lawford ("Twingo") and Lansbury (Quail) characters seem to be just part of a love triangle, with "Twingo" in love with Leigh (as Buhlen) and Quail suffering from the unrequited love of "Twingo."
This is a great story with interesting conflicts on several levels: romantic, duty, and spiritual to name but three.