12 Jun Code Name: Emerald

Code Name Emerald, WWII Movie starring Ed Harris and Eric Stoltz

(1985) The Military Channel has begun a series of films entitled, “An Officer and a Movie.”  Lou Diamond Phillips, who grew up on army bases, is the host, and he interviews retired and active duty officers who can give insights into what is happening onscreen.

“Code Name: Emerald” is based on the book “Emerald Illusion” written by Ronald Bass.  Bass has become one of, is not the, most successful screenwriters in Hollywood.  He wrote this screenplay for NBC, and I read that it was actually the first theatrical film produced by that network. Through the years Bass has written (or co-written) many of my favorite films, such as “Rain Man” and “My Best Friend’s Wedding” (my #1 favorite “Mommy Movie.”)

Back to “Emerald” … in 1944 (and before) the Germans were using every deceptive method possible to learn the true details of the impending invasion of France.   Code named “Operation Overlord,” there were a handful of men who knew and, in this movie at least, were known as “Overlords.”

One of the Overlords was captured by the German SS, and they were desperate to get him to talk.  The Allies sent an OSS (Office of Strategic Services) double agent to Paris.  There he was held in the Vincennes Prison to make sure that the young officer didn’t reveal the the truth.

Swedish actor Max von Sydow plays the part of an SS officer who, as in “Valkyrie” had become disillusioned with the Nazis.

What I liked is that there wasn’t a lot of action. It was the story and the characters that propelled the film along. The setting was in Paris, and much of it was filmed there. Eric Stoltz did a great job as the very young officer from Texas. He looked like the “kid” that so many of these soldiers were.

Code Name: Emerald was suspenseful ’til the end.

Code Name: Emerald at amazon.com
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