Assignment K

During the opening credits, at the snow-covered Pritzwalk county in the Potsdam district of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) ...

... where a lone cyclist is travelling from the direction of Mesendorf village.

After lighting a cigarette by the turnoff to Schönebeck, he throws the empty matchbox seemingly carelessly into the snow and continues pedaling. Probably filmed somewhere in the area of Kitzbühel, Tyrol state, Austria, which is why the alpine character in the background contradicts completely the mostly flat and only slightly hilly landscape in the Pritzwalk county.

But the matchbox only stays there for a brief moment before it reappears in a express train of the East German Deutsche Reichsbahn (DR) on the Frankenwaldbahn, then the only cross-border electrified railway connection between the GDR and West Germany. After the waitress in the MITROPA dining car has served a passenger tea, she immediately lights his cigar and then discreetly places the matchbox onto the table. But actually we see an westbound express train of the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) on the Salzburg-Tyrolean Railway between St. Johann im Tirol and Kitzbühel, pulled by an ÖBB-loco of Co'Co' class Rh 1010.

Now here we have the 'MacGuffin', a microfilm from behind the Iron Curtain. But not hidden in a spectacular pre-Columbian statuette like in Hitchcock's 'North by Northwest', but in an inconspicuous matchbox from GDR production, manufactured by VEB Zündholzwerk at Coswig (Anhalt), Roßlau county in Halle district. Immediately afterwards, the passenger, an East German toy dealer (Alexander Allerson), will prepare a Barbie doll with the microfilm in the train toilet and throw it out of the running train at an agreed location before the border controls at Probstzella station. By the way, officially no Barbies were available in the GDR, except of course on the black market or as coveted gifts for or from SED bigwigs. Steffi dolls, as a competitor to Barbie, were produced by VEB Puppenfabrik Waltershausen from 1966 onwards.

A nearby waiting truck driver fishes the doll out of the snow and sets off for West Germany. Somewhere between Nuremberg and Munich the lorry of VEB Interspiel Leipzig reaches the motorway. So far, an unknown location.

In the middle of the night the lorry reaches the square at Munich main station in Bavaria.

The driver brings his 1962 Henschel HS TL 15 type lorry to a halt and disembarks.

His West German liaison on the ninth floor of the 17-story Deutscher Kaiser hotel, the tallest building in the inner city at the time, is already waiting at the window and turns the light in his room on and off twice. Thereupon the driver climbs back behind the wheel and responds by flashing his headlights four times.

The next day at the (fictional) International Munich Toy Fair. Prominently placed is the Fleischmann exibition stand with their newest product 'Auto Rallye', first presented at the International Nuremberg Toy Fair from February 1 to 6, 1967. The scale slot car racing track, later called 'Rallye Monte Carlo', was at least equal to the market leader 'Carrera Universal'.

Philip Scott (Stephen Boyd), managing director of (fictional) British manufacturer Howsco Toys, is shown the latest creations at the Mattel exhibtion stand. The fact that he is particularly interested in the Barbie doll, with the 'MacGuffin', is explained by the fact that he also works for British Intelligence. In the background on the right we can see the exhibition stand of the fictional German toy manufacturer Loden-Herschel, which has a radio-controlled Flying Saucer in its range.

Scott is approached by Kramer (Werner Peters), head salesman at Loden-Herschel, who casually explains to the salesman from Fleischmann that Scott was involved in the development of the real 1963 Cooper F1 racing car. Behind them the exhibition stands of British icon brands like Meccano and Tri-ang are visible.

The establishing shot from the then Exhibition Munich grounds on Theresienhöhe shows Exibition Hall 7, where the interior shots were taken immediately before or after the International Crafts Fair from March 10 to 18, 1967. The monorail can already be seen in the background of an earlier capture, remnant from the IVA, International Transport Exhibition, in 1965.

But Scott is already in the sight of the East German Stasi and is photographed by an enemy agent disguised as Bavarian tourist as he gets into the Opel Kapitän type cab on the forecourt.

After Philip had meet the Swedish millionaire heiress Antonia Peters at dinner with Kramer and the Herrschels (Vivi Bach and Joachim Hansen) in the fashionable Hungarian Piroschka restaurant, the action shifts from Munich to Kitzbühel, the sophisticated ski resort in Tyrol state, Austria, best known for the Hahnenkamm downhill race. The establishing shot first shows the spire of Katharinenkirche . . .

. . . and tilts down to the town main street called Vorderstadt.

Scott looks for a pair of new skis in front of the Sportalm sports shop, at that time located at Vorderstadt. Just next to it the entrance to Cafe-Bar Tenne by Guido Reisch.

While the shop proprietor (Friedrich von Ledebur) tries to sell Scott the latest and correspondingly expensive model, Dr. Spiegler (Jan Werich) comes along and casually joins in the sales conversation. Then he lures the ski shop owner into the store under a pretext and demonstratively hangs his shopping bag next to the ski display. To the left of Wering is a poster advertising the concert by Udo Jürgens, winner of the 1966 European Song Contest, who was just at the beginning of his great career.

While Scott takes a closer look at the skis recommended by Dr. Spiegler, he discreetly slips the Barbie doll with the 'MacGuffin', a microfilm as we know, into the shopping bag hanging next to him. Behind the glassed-in terrace of the Tenne Cafe-Bar can be recognised.

The gondola, delivered in 1958 after a total overhaul of the 2nd generation Hahnenkamm cable car from 1938, reaches the upper station at 1662 m above sea level with Philip Scott on board.

Before he gets on his newly purchased skis, Scott casually looks around to see if anyone has followed him. Today the large sun terrace of the Hahnenkamm upper station is still almost unchanged.

In the finish area of the Hahnenkamm downhill, the legendary Streif, Scott finally reaches the beginners' slope and observes a group of adult ski pupils, including George Innes. Philip's sudden appearance is the wake-up call for the young man to be the next to follow the female ski instructor's instructions. However, he then falls so unluckily that he apparently injures his left arm. The large barn in the background on the right belongs to the then Rasmushof farm while beyond the railway line the parish church St. Andreas can be recognized, with the spire of the Liebfrauen church behind.

Dr. Spiegler's rehabilitation clinic mainly cares for children. The nurse in the background will let him know that a young British tourist who injured himself while skiing is waiting inside. Shot in front of Lebenberg Castle in the outskirt of Kitzbühel.

Looking at the British gang above, celebrating in the Tenne Cafe-Bar, Philip Scott is pleased to note that George Innes is walking around with a plaster cast by Dr. Spiegler, underneath which is hidden now the 'MacGuffin', a microfilm as mentioned. But Philip becomes really happy when he spots again Toni Peters on the opposite side of the street, who is on her way to the café bar with her gang either.

Philip tries to spend as much time as possible with Antonia, called Toni (Camilla Sparv), who is slowly thawing out. Here the two are relaxing at the public indoor pool of Kitzbühel spa, located at Klostergasse and now called Aquarena.

Philip's various attempts to flirt with the rather reserved Toni have now borne fruit and they have arranged to go skiing together. But everything is under the watchful eye of Stasi henchman Hal Bergen (Jeremy Kemp), who follows them inconspicuously on the way to the Hahnenkamm cable car.

Meanwhile, Philip and Toni are fooling around in front of the well-known Praxmair confectionery at Vorderstadt 17 . . .

. . . still shadowed by the Stasi henchman.

Dieter Geissler as Bergen's sidekick Kurt, observes the scene from the glassed-in verandah of the Tenne Cafe-Bar. When Dr. Spiegler happens to show up and notices that Scott and Peters are being shadowed, he tries to warn them, but is killed by the two enemy agents.

Hal hurries up the steps to the Hahnenkamm lower station to catch the cable car with Philip and Toni already aboard.

During the traditional torchlight descent, called Kitzbüheler Fackellauf, Philip manages to outwit his much younger local rival Rolf (Friedrich von Thun) by seizing the opportunity and spontaneously persuading Toni to go on a romantic sleigh ride. Lebenberg Castle can be recognised again in the background.

The ride ends in front of a chalet, where a romantic fire is already blazing inside and warming mulled wine is being served. The perfect ambiance for Philip to go on the offensive with Toni, so to say. Unknown location.

Another traditional event at Kitzbühel, the horse race, takes place on the Im Gries site, which Philip and Toni also attend. The parish church St. Andreas and the Liebfrauen church can be seen in the background again.

Shortly before returning to Munich, Philip Scott asks for the hotel bill and orders a taxi to the railway station. Based on the location, the furnishings of the room and the view of the two churches from Capture 33, the filming was presumably carried out in the Villa Herold, located at the Pfarrau area.

Scott has returned to Munich without Toni Peters and visits the delicatessen Am Kühbogen, which functions as a dead drop, to inform Paul Spiegler that his father was killed. Pia Frendeborg has identified Salvatorstraße at the corner with Theatinerstraße. The row of houses along the current pedestrian zone was since them completely rebuilt.

The establishing shot zooms back until the company sign of the fictional toy manufacturer comes into view. Facing across today's Albert Embankment Gardens SW1 towards the Victoria Tower and Westminster Palace beyond Lambeth Bridge.

Very tricky to match the perspective here. SJ

Coming from Heathrow, the 1959 Rolls-Royce Phantom V with Philip Scott in the back drives along the Albert Embankment and arrives at the headquarters of Howsco Toys.

This junction with Tinworth Street was also seen in 'File of the Golden Goose', 'Joanna', 'The Intelligence Men' and 'Jigsaw'. SJ

There has been new building north of The Rose pub on the corner. SJ

The company car stops in front of 93 Albert Embankment, actually Alembic House, where the uniformed concierge lets Scott out. The derelict building opposite has long since disappeared and now there is a petrol station. Just behind it are still the mainline tracks towards London Waterloo, at the time the busiest railway station in United Kingdom.

There's the Jet petrol station and a clearer view of the raised mainline tracks. SJ

As Scott enters his office on the 12th floor, he is greeted with a cup of coffee by executive secretary Estelle (Ursula Howells). While she reminds him of his 11am appointment at the Board of Trade, the downstream panoramic view shows the Thames at low tide, spanned by Lambeth Bridge (front) and Westminster Bridge (back). Actually shot at the top floor of Alembic House, completed in 1964 and then owned by Oakhurst Productions. This company was run by actor Stanley Baker and producer Michael Deely.

As soon as Scott has arrive at his office, company co-owner Howlett (Basil Dignam) is storming in and immediately wants to know what the Loden-Herschel radio-controlled saucer was all about. So Philip hands him the advertising flyer and asks the head designer, who is meanwhile also present, to come up with a competitive product. Behind them in the background the then British Gas Building can be recognised, located just at Vauxhall Bridge. The Penthouse location was also used for 'The Naked Runner' (1967), 'Joanna' (1968), 'The Italian Job' (1969), 'Zee and Co.' (1972), 'A Touch of Class' (1973), 'Theatre of Blood' (1973), 'The Internecine Project' (1974), 'Sweeney' (1977) and 'The Playbirds' (1978).

Philip Scott has himself chauffeured home in the company car. Greg Mishevski points out that "Showing the end of the mews was the 2nd key point for the identifying the mews. 2 Inverness Mews, South London, SW1 is a fake address. In reality, it is 6 Lennox Gardens Mews, Knightsbridge, SW1X 0DP. The house number "6" is on the far left (the white front door). The house on the right is 20 Milner Street, Chelsea, SW3 2QF. Looking east/southeast towards 8 Lennox Gardens Mews. This is the same mews seen in 'Mix Me A Person' (1962)."

Not quite a perfect proving match here but it's the right mews despite the redesigned lower floors. SJ

A clearer shot of the corner house on Milner Street in the distance. SJ

Philip opens the front door of house number 6. A mews, a telegram is addressed as Inverness Mews, South London but there's only one in Paddington so probably a red herring.

Well, this is no6 today. SJ

There seem to have been some changes here. SJ

Once inside, Philip discovers an overseas telegram on the sideboard. According to Greg Mishevski, "Showing the SW1 postcode area was the 1st key point for identifying the mews."

Toni's telegram announces her arrival in London the next morning. Greg further explains, that "Eliminating the whole area south of the river Thames (aka the "South London" reference) and at the same time showing the SW1 postcode area was the 1st key point for identifying the mews!"

When the clock and tower nicknamed Big Ben, now Elizabeth Tower, shows 9:00 a.m., Philip Scott is already on his way to young George Innes, who has since returned to England. Of course, not by plane like Scott, but in one of the special travel agency trains that run from Belgium or France to Austria during the winter season.

Just ten minutes too late! SJ

So the young courier had to cross several national borders on the way back. But the customs checks went smoothly because the microfilm, as we know hidden under Dr. Spiegler's plaster cast, remained undiscovered of course. Scott in his white sports car still makes his way to Innes on Clapham Road. The Smiths Crisps depot gives the hint, at the time located at Number 365-367, SW9.

Scott reaches the place where young Innes works as petrol station attendant. Identified by Richard Lovejoy, this is the then Plough Garage (Mac 4445) at 30 South Side, Clapham Common near the corner of Crescent Lane, SW4.

Richard Lovejoy sent in this image and observes," Clearly their site had development potential."

Philip lets fills up his 1966 Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GT Veloce and presses a large banknote into George's hand when he pays. Not without reason, because that way a few £1 notes pop out as change. Looks completely inconspicuous, but so the 'MacGuffin' (you know, the microfilm) changes hands again.

Further confirmation from Richard who adds, "Nowhere to park now."

Scott reaches Number 10, Whitehall Place, Covent Garden, Waterloo, City of Westminster, for his meeting in the Board of Trade, to hand out the microfilm to Harris, his liaison to 'K' from British Intelligence. In the background, opposite the end of the street, Admiralty House can be recognized. Please note also the PS 2 number plate.

A greener scene today. SJ

As Scott has entered the sparsely furnished office, Harris (Michael Redgrave) first pull down the blinds, because "Ever since they built that new skyscraper on the South Bank, we've become rather telescope prone". He means the new East Wing of St Thomas' Hospital, which opened in 1966 and can be seen on the far right, while in the centre Stangate House rises. Westminster Bridge proves, that this uncut Zoom-back-shot was taken from New Scotland Yard, now Norman Shaw Buildings, located on Victoria Embankment by Westminster Pier.

Before leaving Harris, Scott orders a security check for Antonia Peters. Afterwards she is picked up by Philip at the airport, of course watched by one of the Stasi henchmen, and, after a suggested tryst, returned to the company in the evening, where he inspected the first prototype of the flying saucer. Scott's Giulia GT in front of Alembic House, the ground floor of which may also be seen in 'Joanna', but from a different angle.

The entrance has been modified. SJ

Back home, Philip unsuspectingly gets out of the car, only to discover shortly afterwards that Toni has disappeared without a trace. Again in front of 6 Lennox Gardens Mews, Knightsbridge, SW1X 0DP, identified by Greg Mishevski.

No6 today. SJ

The doorway has changed. SJ

Kidnapped by the London Stasi cell, led by certain Mr. Smith (Leo McKern), Toni will be released on the condition that Scott reveals his West German spy ring based in Munich. During the flight with Toni back to the Bavarian capitale, Philip remembers his last race as Formula One driver. Probably shot at Brands Hatch in Kent, where in July 1966 'Grand Prix' by John Frankenheimer had already been filmed.

Unconscious Scott is pulled out of the burning racing car by a bystander, who, later in the hospital, introduces himself as Paul Spiegler. Obviously the crash is inspired by Bruce McLaren's accident in the Cooper T66 on the Nürburgring on lap 3 of the German Grand Prix.

An establishing shot shows Munich Promenadeplatz, looking towards Hotel Bayerischer Hof, still one of the leading hotels in the world.

Toni is obviously very taken with the penthouse suite, which was called Patio at the time. Shot on location, the north tower of the Frauenkirche can be seen through the window.

While the couple strolls along an arterial street, Phillip buys a newspaper at the news stand. Pia Frendeborg has identified the dark skyscraper in the far background as Hertie-Hochhaus, located at the Münchner Freiheit square until 1992. So we see the protagonists on Leopoldstraße, where Ainmillerstraße branches off to the left.

After Toni receives a diamond brooch from Philip in a jewelry store, still shadowed by the Stasi henchman Kurt, the two cross Marienplatz in a good mood. To Camilla Sparv's left the base of the Marian Column from 1638 can be seen. To Stephen Boyd's right the New Town Hall can be recognised, a colossal neo-Gothic building, built between 1867 and 1909.

Philip jokes with Toni in front of the delicatessen Am Kühbogen after buying her Reiter's Weisswürstl (Bavarian white sausages). The well-known shop, run by Ludwig Wolf since 1950 and frequented by prominent figures from politics, business and entertainment, was located at Salvatorstraße 20 until 1975.

Young Spiegler has arranged a meeting for Scott with the lead of the Munich spy ring, codename Almanac, at the hotel's nightclub. However, Philip lies to Toni and claims that the distinguished-looking gentleman at the bar is an important Swiss toy manufacturer, whereupon she quickly disappears towards the restroom. Meanwhile, Scott instructs Almanac, played by Helmuth Schneider, to wait for him in the backyard. Instead of meeting Scott, East German enemies, more precisely Bergen and his Stasi henchmen, are lying in wait for him. So far unknown location.

Almanac initially manages to escape, but is shot from behind by Paul Spiegler himself, who remains undiscovered. So far unknown location.

This day-for-night shot of the Theatinerkirche clock tower in Munich, taken a few minutes before midnight, or actually at 12:00 noon, is interesting, because the following sequence was obviously taken at night.

At about the same time, Philip and Toni stroll across Odeonsplatz, situated at the southern end of Ludwigstraße, Munich. The square is already a construction site at this point, as work on the subway station of the same name, which opened in 1971, had just begun.

Stasi henchman Kurt has followed the two at a safe distance and watches from the steps of the Feldherrnhalle, which is guarded by two marble lions, as Philip and Toni approach the Theatinerkirche.

Based on the information board at the doorway to the Theatiner church, Philip explains Toni that it took over 100 years to build.

Inside the spacious church, known for its ornate stucco work, Philip leads Toni purposefully towards the side altar.

While Toni is admiring the altarpiece 'Guardian Angel of Humanity' by Antonio Zanchi, Philip has left unnoticed, whereupon she looks around searching for him.

From behind, Toni sees Philip seemingly lost in prayer. But from the front, we see him in a conspiratorial dialogue with Paul Spiegler, who confesses for God and Scott to killing Franz Ulrich, codename Almanac, in revenge for his father's death.

The next day, a BMW 501 V8 police car with flashing blue lights stops in front of the Bayerischer Hof hotel and two detectives get out, with Carl Möhner as the Inspector taking a quick look around. Situated at the western corner of Promenadeplatz, Munich is the bell tower of former Carmelite Church of St. Nikolaus. By the way, all the now following interior shots were made on location too.

At the hotel reception, the Inspector asks for Philip Scott's room number without showing any identification and is given the information willingly.

Stasi henchman Kurt is acting as guard dog in the hotel lobby as he notices the two detectives at the reception. By the way, to the left of Dieter Geissler, Hans Clarin is announced for a performance in the hotel's own theatre. The theatre actor Clarin has also appeared in films, including the British thriller '24 Hours to Kill' from 1965 with Mickey Rooney and Lex Barker. He has also worked as a voice actor, lending the German voice to Kookie (Edward Byrnes) in the popular US television series '77 Sunset Strip'.

Kurt immediately enters the phone booth in the lobby and asks to be connected to Room 608 to warn Hal that two detectives are on their way to Philip Scott.

After the Inspector shows his ID at the door to Room 610, Scott lets the detectives into the Patio called penthouse suite, whereupon he and the half-dressed Toni learn that a certain Franz Ulrich, who had been seen with Philip in the hotel bar shortly before, was shot dead the previous night. Therefore, the inspector insists on questioning the two separately, with Philip accompanying him to police headquarters while his assistant (Karl-Otto Alberty) takes over the interrogation of Toni. In the background the view towards Promenadeplatz with the rooftops of the buildings on the corner with Hartmannstraße in Munich.

It is not entirely by chance that Hal Bergen and the inspector meet in the hallway. The Stasi henchman claims to have been in the hotel bar with Philip at the time of the crime. The inspector suggests that Bergen give his statement also at the police head quarters, whereupon they all leave the hotel together. But it's only when they get into the waiting BMW that the whole charade is revealed: The driver turns out to be Paul Spiegler, signifying the Stasi henchman's death sentence.

Mr. Smith is not amused that he was duped by Scott in Munich. After Philip together with Toni returned home from West Germany, he has the flat monitored . . .

From ground level. SJ

A more accurate shot albeit from ground level. SJ

. . . by one of his Stasi henchmen, as a close-up of the probable prop phone booth, reveals. Scott finally manages to leave his house seemingly unnoticed through the backyard to visit MI6. The phone booth has, of course, been bugged for some time, so thanks to the Research and Development Divison, led by 'The Boffin' (Geoffrey Bayldon), the address of the London Stasi cell is deciphered: Elm House, East Drive, Harrow.

Bit of a building site along with snow and scaffolding. SJ

Alas no phone booth. SJ

After Toni Peters has apparently been kidnapped by the Stasi for the second time, Philip Scott appears at the gateway of the estate with a new type of booby trap. As a result, events take a turn for the worse and Philip barely survives thanks to Toni. So far unknown location.

After his hospital stay and now deprived of all illusions, Scott cancels his job for British Intelligence. At his final meeting with Harris, he tells him point blank that he was exposed as KGB mole after tampering with the microfilm to render the information about mobile launchers for medium-range missiles by the Soviets useless. Harris draws the conclusion, and, as Scott leaves the Board of Trade, a gunshot is heard. Philip looks up as the pigeons take flight on the roof.

Boarded up on Whitehall Place. SJ

Freshly spruced up. SJ

Philip and Toni's paths also part for good. This becomes symbolically clear when Toni, who initially waits in front of the Trade of Board in her 1961 Jaguar Mk.II, finally turns onto Whitehall SW1 and drives in the opposite direction toward Trafalgar Square.

Whitehall from street level. SJ