Directed by the legendary Alfred Hitchcock, Secret Agent is a gripping British spy thriller based on W. Somerset Maugham’s stories about espionage. Released in 1936, this film blends suspense, deception, romance, and moral conflict — all hallmarks of Hitchcock’s early work. <br /><br />🌍 Plot Summary <br />Set during the First World War, Secret Agent follows British author and army captain Edgar Brodie (played by John Gielgud), who is reported dead and given a new identity as Richard Ashenden. He is secretly recruited by British Intelligence to track down and eliminate a German agent operating in neutral Switzerland. <br /><br />Upon arrival in Geneva, he is partnered with the mysterious and seductive Elsa Carrington (played by Madeleine Carroll), who is also acting under a false identity as his wife. Their alliance is complicated by the presence of Robert Marvin, a romantic rival who is unaware of their true identities. <br /><br />They are joined by the flamboyant and cold-blooded assassin known only as The General (portrayed by Peter Lorre in a memorable role), who brings unpredictable violence and black humor to the mission. <br /><br />As Ashenden grows more disillusioned with the ethics of espionage and his feelings for Elsa deepen, the team misidentifies their target, leading to a fatal mistake. Wracked with guilt and seeking redemption, Ashenden must make a fateful decision that will define his mission — and his soul.
