The following article on The Counterfeit Traitor was written by Juliet Campbell, a huge William Holden fan!
Erik Erichson was a reluctant spy…much like William Holden was a reluctant participant at first to take on the role. But the lure of visiting distant European countries was a magnet to him.
No disagreement then that Eric Erichson was at the beginning the reluctant spy executing a selfish act to save his business and William Holden played the part perfectly from beginning to end.
From not a moral thought to what he was doing or how it affected those around him , to a realization about morality and the correct thing to do, his conscience eventually took over..
“It just takes one atrocity”….”suddenly he becomes your brother”
William Holden played his part to perfection….it was his gem in what was considered his “down period” after many successful roles.
He played so many emotions….resignation, pathos ,humour, terror, sensitivity….any emotions he had shown in any of his movies beforehand were rolled up and out in this one.
A man whose conscience becomes morally refined by circumstances around him.
To me this was one of William Holden’s finely etched portraits ….It didnt get the accolades it deserved, possibly because at the time he had decided to forgo living in the U.S.A and opted for living in Switzerland, a decision that caused a backlash with the public and the filming industry.
But once again he played the part as though it was made for him and once again I cried with him…
I have yet to see this movie! I wish TCM was airing it- and the sad thing the problem is not me not wanting to watch these movies, the problem is me not finding anywhere to watch these movies! Bill is such a genuine actor- and you always believed in him in the role- good, bad, or crazy! Thanks for doing a guest post- that just shows how much you adore Bill!!!
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I reckon its one of his best…do try and view it…beg, steal or borrow the dvd…..lolol you wont regret it!!!cheers
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Sounds very interesting! I have yet to see a bad performance from Holden, even though he didn’t always like what he did. Thanks for bringing one of his lesser known films to the blogathon!
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bad performances were certainly NOT on his list of “things to do” regardless…A true professional in every way
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William Holden continually demonstrated that he never brought anything less than his best to a role and that’s what makes him always contemporary and always compelling.
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Beautiful post Juliet! I remember you often mentionned this film and I still have to see it! Actually, I went to the library yesterday because I remember they had the dvd but oddly it wasn’t there anymore (not borrowed, but just inexistent). You definitely make it sound worthy and I suspect I would love Bill in this. Thanks for you contribution to our blogathon!
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it was a pleasure virginie….yes indeed …it is one of my favourite WH movies if not the one….mayb because circumstances pertaining to it actually happened in my parentsl lifetime and those memories have been passsed onto me…..
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[…] Juliette Campbell (Guest at The Wonderful World of Cinema) – William Holden as Erik Erichon in The Counterfeit Traitor […]
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