User reviews

Well, a film starring Leslie Howard and Kay Francis and directed by Michael Curtiz could never be a complete disaster. "British Agent" from 1934 is far from that, but because of the script, it's a little strange.

This film is based on the memoirs of R.C. Lockhart. "British Agent" is only 80 minutes long and it packs in a tremendous amount of plot. Leslie Howard is Steven Locke, who works for the British embassy in Russia at the time of the revolution. He falls for Elena Moura (Francis), a woman he saves. This is the first problem because they meet in one scene and are madly in love in practically the next.

Locke is instructed to keep Russia from signing a separate peace with Germany, which would be harmful to England. Elena holds to a different ideology, being a follower of Lenin. The two clash, and when Elena finds out Locke's assignment, she's quick to tell the other side. That's the second problem -- in the midst of a revolution, Locke receives a dispatch from London and reads it out loud while Elena is in the house.

Elena continues to be in love with Locke, betraying him at the same time.

The acting is very good, and Howard and Francis have wonderful chemistry. It's just not very plausible. Possibly if the love story had been developed more, it would have been more believable.

It's always a delight to see Leslie Howard in a film, as well as Kay Francis. I'll take them any way I can get them, and here, it's in "British Agent."

Apparently based on the memoirs of Sir Robert Hamilton Bruce Lockhart, this film pits Leslie Howard versus the tumultuous events in Russia during 1917, and 1918. Though this film leaves out any mention of someone named Sidney Reilly (the infamous "Ace of Spies", whose exploits were also recounted by Lockhart), and Kay Francis steps in as a Russian firebrand. Meeting by accident the night of the first revolution, "Locke" and Elena are instantly smitten.

When Locke is sent back to Petrograd to stall the Soviet's armistice with Germany (which would endanger the Allies on the western front), Elena is now secretary to a certain V. Lenin, and from there the melodrama ignites. Short on romance, but long on suspenseful political drama and schemes. Leslie Howard is terrific as usual, and Michael Curtiz' direction is crackling. You have to hand it to a top-drawer director for illustrating political upheaval with such entertaining panache. Also hard to overlook is a young actor named Cesar Romero, displaying a light comedic touch.

"British Agent" succeeds in being both thought-provoking, and emotionally engaging. It would've been easy to lose the characters in the history lesson, but, fortunately, even the supporting cast make an impression and make you care about what happens to them. There is genuine tension, and grief at the deaths which occur. I thought there was a good balance between expository dialogue and action scenes, as well.

True, at 80 minutes the story is rushed - it could've been a bit longer, especially to give more depth to the relationship that develops between Steve (Leslie Howard) and Elena (Kay Francis). They seem to declare love rather quickly. However, thanks to the good actors involved, it's not too implausible. One feels sympathy for all the characters, and understanding of both sides - no small feat, considering the opposing political views.

This film provides an effective introductory history lesson, a relatively unbiased portrayal of two different countries/ideologies, and a gripping love story. It's not easy to juggle all these elements into a cohesive whole, but I believe "British Agent" does a fine job of educating *and* entertaining. Sometimes you *can* mix business with pleasure.

And yet I liked it! Leslie Howard can give any part in any film dignity - this one proves it! And Kay Francis can make any man seem appealing - again, Leslie Howard proves it! Take that Scarlet O'Hara!

Howard plays, Stephen Locke, a British diplomat, in the last days of Czarist Russia and the first days of Communist Russia. He meets Elena Moura (Kay Francis) when she runs into the British embassy with the Cossacks in hot pursuit since she is a Bolshevik. And also because she was shooting at them. Locke shields her from harm as the consulate is British soil.

They meet again after the revolution when Stephen tries to convince the new Soviet government not to make a separate peace with Germany. But Elena tells her comrades that Stephen is just an unofficial representative, and therefore Stephen is ignored and Russia does make peace apart from the Allies Meanwhile, Stephen and Eleana fall in love. Why I don't know because Eleana keeps telling her bosses all that she knows about Stephen. Egads this could get embarrassing if this is a compulsion of hers!

So then some diplomat friends of Stephen come to him about a plan to arm the White Army against the newly found Soviet government, the hope being that any new Russian government will rejoin the war. Meanwhile Elena still loves her country AND Communism AND Stephen AND still has these troublesome tattle tale qualities.

This has got to be the most pro-Soviet film Hollywood produced prior to WWII when they went wholesale propaganda on the subject during the war years. Lenin is clearly portrayed as a hero. Kay Francis tells us that the emotion she feels for Lenin is "reverence." Lenin's recovery from an assassination attempt is a cause for rejoicing. The Soviet official in charge of tracing down opponents of the regime says that some call it terror, but it's what has to be done. I interpreted that line as a defense of Stalin's policies in the 1930s.

The historical background is more accurate and detailed than most Hollywood films, with Howard articulating the reasons the Allies were concerned about Russia's withdrawal from the war. Also, both leads managed to be annoying characters without annoying me, the viewer. William Gargan's character, on the other hand, annoyed me tremendously. Why must every American abroad in a 1930s film sound like he should be running a lunch counter in the Bronx?

'British Agent' did have a good deal of potential. Have always found both Leslie Howard and Kay Francis very watchable, the source material is a thoroughly gripping and well crafted piece of literature and the subject matter is so intriguing. Films like this can risk being convoluted, but many films and television series in this genre have not fallen into this trap. Michael Curtiz also directed two of my favourites 'Casablanca' and 'The Adventures of Robin Hood'. 'Mildred Pierce' is also a classic.

Watching 'British Agent' recently, to me the film could have been a good deal better than it turned out. It is definitely worth seeing for the two leads and is always intriguing with a good deal of atmosphere, but the writing and storytelling fall short of living up to full potential. With a longer length and if it took its time more, 'British Agent' would have felt a lot more fleshed out. While Curtiz doesn't fare too badly in his directing, he definitely went on to do better in subjects that were more in his comfort zone.

Starting with the negatives, 'British Agent' is too short, would have given it about 15-20 minutes longer, and too rushed. The romance especially suffers, far too hastily written and underdeveloped as well as straining in credulity later on. With so much going on in a short length and some of it complicated, it does give a bit convoluted at times.

The dialogue at times rambles and the film can be a little too talk heavy. While the cast are fine mostly, William Gargon came over as too annoying for my tastes.

Howard and Francis however are both very strong in their roles, Howard subtly charismatic and steely and Francis glamorous and forceful without being melodramatic. Despite issues with the way the romance is written, their chemistry is smoldering. The supporting cast on the whole do fine, Gargon is the exception. Curtiz's direction is accomplished, despite moments where a still finding his feet feel creeps in, and has great atmospheric style.

Furthermore, the production values are very stylish and atmospheric. The music is suitably ominous and the dialogue generally is tight and provokes a lot of thought. The story, while flawed in execution, is intriguing and suspenseful at least.

Concluding, a lot to like but falls short. 6/10.

Leslie Howard's first diplomatic posting is to St. Petersburg, where it is feared the Kerensky government will make a separate peace with Germany, freeing thousands of German troops for the Western Front. No sooner does he arrive than he meets and falls in love with Bolshevik agent Kay Francis and witnesses the October Revolution. With no official position, he tries to convince the new government to not make peace, but Miss Francis, who loves him, keeps betraying him because of her loyalty to the State, as he clubs with other foreign diplomats to destroy the Soviet Union. Can their love survive?

Howard seems to be a futile sort of individual, the headliner who gets to witness others trying to do great things while he makes impassioned speeches to Miss Francis. It's those other actors who keep the futile plot alive and offer interesting performances, like Cesar Romero, William Gargan, and Ivan F. Simpson. It's constantly interesting, but there's far too much talk. In its efforts to make no one a villain, it makes no one particularly heroic, which is probably why it has vanished from consciousness: just another competently rendered potboiler that kept everyone working.

Purportedly based on the memoirs of R.H. Bruce Lockhart, the UK's man on the ground during the days of the Russian Revolution, Leslie Howard plays the consul general at the British Embassy whose other tasks include fomenting a little counterrevolution on the side. That's constantly getting in the way of his romance with Bolshevik Kay Francis.

What was fascinating here was that the spy Howard was so terribly indiscreet as to allow Francis to gain valuable information for her side. As a British Agent it seemed like everything that Howard was trying came up real short except in the romance department.

But Howard and Francis are a good match in screen chemistry in the romance department. As history British Agent leaves a lot to be desired. I think had the film been done by a British studio it probably would have turned out better.

The cast is tremendous in this 1934 Warner Brothers film, "British Agent." Based on a 1932 book, the movie takes place mostly in Russia in the early days of World War I and of the Bolshevik Revolution. My high rating of the film is partly because of its historical value. It depicts very well those events and that time in history. Few movies have been made of these two events in relation to each other. Even with Hollywood changes and the natural nuances of the source writer, R.H. Bruce Lockhart in his memoirs, the movie has value for the historical events it covers. It also is credible in its portrayal of the culture and people, as well as costume and dress of the time.

It would be interesting to know how much the characters in the film are based on real people. Some are obvious – Vladimir Lenin and Leon Trotsky. But many others have fictitious names. Still, some are obvious from people in Lockhart's book. It's not hard to get his connection with the male lead, Leslie Howard. In name – Lockhart and Locke, as well as in character. Howard plays Steve Locke who is vice-consul to the British embassy in St. Petersburg and Moscow. When the revolution breaks out and the embassy officials are called back to England, he is left behind as the sole British representative. He's then the acting Consul for Great Britain to Russia. In real life, Bruce Lockhart was Acting British Consul- General in Moscow when the first Russian revolution broke out in early 1917. But he returned to England before the Bolshevik Revolution of October. In January of 1918, he returned as the UK's first envoy to the Bolsheviks. His main purpose was to persuade Russia not to sign a peace pact with Germany, and to come into WW I on the side of the Allies. That's very close to the portrayal of Locke's character and his movements in this film, if not the exact titles he carried.

Kay Francis plays Elena Moura. She is the secretary to Commissioner of War Trotsky. She and Locke are the romantic element of this film, and it comes across as a believably deep-felt love between the two. Howard and Francis carry off this relationship very well, with a respect for each other's ideology. In real life, Lockhart did not have this romance, but he helped the couple that did. British writer Arthur Ransome had been living and writing in Russia when he met Trotsky's secretary, Evgenia Petrovna Shelepina. After the end of the Bolshevik Revolution, Lockhart helped her get to England. She later married Ransome who became famous for his children's books.

Lockhart's life itself is very interesting for his wide travels and experiences. It's every bit as intriguing as this film that is based on a short span of that life. Sir Robert Hamilton (R.H.) Bruce Lockhart, was a journalist, author, secret agent, British diplomat to Moscow and Prague, with other travel and business experiences as well. He also played football at Cambridge. He was a secret agent also in his consulate positions in Russia. He was a friend of Sidney Reilly. Lockhart's son, Robin, wrote the book about Reilly, "Ace of Spies." It was the basis for the 1983 TV miniseries, "Reilly, Ace of Spies."

The rest of the cast in this film are excellent. William Gargan, Cesar Romero, J.Carrol Naish, and several others play their parts superbly. The only drawback to this film is the sets and quality of the film. In places it seems very stagy.

As I said the historical aspects and book connection raise this film a couple notches. The only criticism I have is with the conduct of Howard's character, Locke. I don't know if Lockhart or anyone else in British intelligence of the time advised on this film. But if British intelligence operated as loosely in that day as it appears in this film, it would be no wonder to any viewers how the enemy could find out so much about Britain's operations. An example is the repeated scenes when Elena is visiting Steve and someone brings him information. Old Steve leaves doors open and talks freely about the matters so she can overhear him with no difficulty. And then, when he sees she's gone a couple of times after that, he doesn't seem to think any more about it, or he disregards it. I would suppose that by WW II, British intelligence would have improved to a point that such loose and stupid behavior would get one shot or locked up as a collaborator or very bad source of leaks at the least. I wonder that no one thought about that when making the movie. Or was it shown that way on purpose? Perhaps it really was that way?

The movie opens in 1917 Petrograd outside the British embassy. The city's name had been changed from St. Petersburg at the outbreak of WW I. St. Petersburg/Petrograd was then the capitol of Russia. In 1924 its name was changed to Leningrad, and after the fall of the Iron Curtain and collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the city's name was changed back to St. Petersburg. There are many more interesting details about that time and those events. History buffs will have no difficulty finding articles on line. In the meantime, and for all others, this film serves as a good peek at the events and time. And, it's a film that most people should enjoy.

With Michael Curtiz as the director I was expecting better .Howard had very little to work with and though Kay Francis was beautiful and acted well enough but the relationship fails to convince .Not enough time is taken to make the relationship believable and the writing is really poor; it's a pity because it could have worked.

It's WWI. The Bolsheviks are taking over Russia. The British fear that they would sign a separate peace with Germany which would redirect all its forces against the west. Moura (Kay Francis) stumbles into the British embassy after shooting at a Cossack. She is saved by junior diplomat Stephen Locke (Leslie Howard). She turns out to be Lenin's secretary. After the takeover, Locke essentially represents Britain as the last diplomat left behind. He tries desperately to keep the new Russian government in the war.

The movie feels a bit simplified like a highlight reel. After the peace treaty, I don't understand Locke's position without government support. It's a little unclear where the money comes from. I don't know if he has any more British contact. It's all a bit murky. The situation is rushing by and the characters don't have the required urgency. This should be a tense movie, but the tension is simply not there on the screen. Maybe the book has all the gritty realism and the movie is dumbing it down for the movie goers.

Here's a side of the Revolution you didn't see in Warren Beatty's love-letter to Lenin, REDS. The protagonists are a group of diplomats who are trying to counter the Red revolution by supporting the White army faction. But they're being undermined by a beautiful Russian woman (Kay Francis) who happens to be having an affair with one of the English agents (Leslie Howard), and passes info on to Lenin himself.

It's all kind of a muddle, with historical tidbits mixed in with a maudlin love story. It's hard to think of Francis as a Russian, since she makes no attempt at an accent, and Leslie Howard is one of my least favorite actors of the era (he always seems like a weedy little wimp). There are some nice sets, some war action, and a very young Cesar Romero. Definitely not as good as other international spy pictures of the 30s-40s but it deals with events not often covered in filmdom, so it's worth a look.

Much better than its reputation, this film has been treated rather unfairly by ignorants who haven't bothered to look deeper into it, like also other films of the Russian revolution, especially Sternberg's "The Last Command" and Marlene Dietrich's "Knight Without Armour", perhaps the best film of the Russian revolution. This one however is outstanding for the fact that it deals directly with reality. Bruce Lockhart, who lived through this story himself, happened to be a legate at the British Embassy in Petersburg when the crisis grew crucial, and later was in the thick of things in Moscow. He was the one who told the story of Sidney Reilly and his conspiracies and efforts to save Russia, and he later played an important part in the Second World War as Churchill's right hand in the propaganda war against Germany. He wrote a series of extremely interesting memoirs and was also in the centre of things in Prague 1948 when Jan Masaryk was defenestrated and the communists took over. Leslie Howard makes a very credible and true characterization of Lockhart's critical ordeals in the heart of the revolution at a loss against the lack of initiative, resolution and political insight in London. He and Reilly could have saved Russia from the communists, if London had responded. This film romanticizes the drama, of course, with some exaggerations and focusing too much on Kay Francis, while Lenin's would be murderess was much more interesting - she is only shown in the deed. Although between "Of Human Bondage" and "Captain Blood", "British Agent" hardly deserves to be neglected.

For cryink out Pete sakes! You get Leslie Howard, Kay Francis, a flock of 'A' film character actors and Michael Curtiz to direct, and "British Agent" is the best you come up with? My rating above is the best I can do for this stemwinder of a movie - and it's only 80 minutes long. Where did they go wrong?

For starters, the muddled plot is neither suspenseful nor compelling and the picture is saved only by its two stars. It is always a treat to watch Howard, one of filmdom's brightest and best actors in any picture, even if it's beneath his considerable talent. He had just finished "Of Human Bondage" and his next was "The Scarlet Pimpernel", so with "British Agent" he was in between pictures. Kay Francis was so lovely in all her pictures (See "Jewel Robbery") - she did it for me the way film archaeologists describe Greta Garbo - that I forgive her for a lapse in judgment for taking on this one. Normally glamorous and alluring, she was out of her element as a Russian revolutionary. And Michael Curtiz, hamstrung by the material here, had yet to make "Captain Blood" and "Robin Hood". "Casablanca" was about 10 years off.

I am certain the Russian Revolution was more interesting in person, but it is Hollywood's job to recreate events and make them exciting and entertaining. It is depressing to think of the assemblage of talent wasted on this trudge through the landscape.