Secret Agent
“Dead Women Tell No Tales Was The Motto of This Charming Lady Killer!”
Synopsis
During World War I, a novelist declared dead is recruited by British intelligence and sent to Switzerland under a new identity to assassinate a German spy. Teamed with a fellow agent posing as his wife and an eccentric assassin known as “the General,” the trio close in on their target — until two of them grow ambivalent when their duty to the mission clashes with their consciences.
Top Cast
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Madeleine Carroll
Elsa Carrington
John Gielgud
Richard Ashenden / Edgar Brodie
Peter Lorre
The General
Robert Young
Robert Marvin
Percy Marmont
Caypor
Florence Kahn
Mrs. Caypor
Charles Carson
"R"
Lilli Palmer
Lilli
Denys Blakelock
Man (uncredited)
Sebastian Cabot
Man (uncredited)
Tom Helmore
Colonel Anderson (uncredited)
Andreas Malandrinos
Manager (uncredited)
Howard Marion-Crawford
Karl (uncredited)
Rène Ray
Maid (uncredited)
Michael Redgrave
Army Officer (uncredited)
Michael Rennie
Army Captain (uncredited)
Michel Saint-Denis
Coachman (uncredited)
Release History & Theatrical Window
June 12, 1936
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Alfred Hitchcock
- Screenplay & Story
- Charles Bennett
- Original Score
- Hubert Bath, John Greenwood
- Original Title
- Secret Agent
- Country of Origin
- United Kingdom
- Spoken Languages
- English, German
- Runtime
- 1h 26m
- Production Studios
- Gaumont-British Picture Corporation
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Alfred Hitchcock
Charles Bennett, Campbell Dixon, W. Somerset Maugham, Jesse Lasky Jr., Ian Hay
Hubert Bath, John Greenwood
Bernard Knowles
Charles Frend
Michael Balcon, Ivor Montagu
Department Leadership Roster
Charles Frend
Editor
Alfred Hitchcock
Director
Bernard Knowles
Director of Photography
Michael Balcon
Producer
Ivor Montagu
Producer
Joe Strassner
Costume Design
Charles Bennett
Screenplay
Jesse Lasky Jr.
Writer
Ian Hay
Writer
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
International Certification Matrix
Mature — Recommended for viewers 15 and older.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Secret Agent.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring Secret Agent.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Secret Agent
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Secret Agent about?
During World War I, a novelist declared dead is recruited by British intelligence and sent to Switzerland under a new identity to assassinate a German spy. Teamed with a fellow agent posing as his wife and an eccentric assassin known as “the General,” the trio close in on their target — until two of them grow ambivalent when their duty to the mission clashes with their consciences.
Who directed Secret Agent?
Secret Agent was directed by Alfred Hitchcock.
Who stars in Secret Agent?
The principal cast of Secret Agent includes Madeleine Carroll, John Gielgud, Peter Lorre, Robert Young, Percy Marmont.
When was Secret Agent released and how long is it?
Secret Agent was released in 1936 with a total runtime of 1h 26m.
Who composed the musical score for Secret Agent?
The original motion picture soundtrack for Secret Agent was composed by Hubert Bath, John Greenwood.
Is Secret Agent based on a book or true story?
Secret Agent is adapted from the following source material: Novel: "W. Somerset Maugham".
What is the age rating and content advisory for Secret Agent?
Secret Agent holds official age classifications: AU: M (Mature — Recommended for viewers 15 and older.).