Checkpoint (1956 film)

Plot

Before a major motor race in Italy a man by the name of O'Donovan (Stanley Baker), is hired by Warren Ingram (James Robertson Justice), owner of a British racing team to headhunt the designer of the rival Volta D'Italia team. However, he fails and instead makes a botched attempt to steal the original blue print designs by breaking into the factory and burglarizing an office safe in the Volta D'Italia factory located in Firenze, Italy (Florence). As a result of the trying to escape capture he destroys the factory in a fire and also kills five others. In an effort to smuggle O'Donovan out of Italy to were he will not cause harm to the reputation of Warren Ingram's industrial and racing interests a plot is developed to use the cover an International racing event to facilitate the escape the wanted man.

The opening scene is the night watchman making his rounds in the factory floor and satisfied that all is well he is next seen settling down for a break in the comfort of his makeshift office with a teapot and jug of vino in the background. He takes a moment to browse a magazine cover page before he starts to poor a glass of wine (nothing wrong with having some wine to pass the time, this Italy of course) and settle down to enjoy a panino.

We next see O'Donovan breaking into the main office and cracking the safe to get at the plans but he triggers the alarm and is soon confronted by the night guard in the middle of escaping down a stairwell from the scene of the theft. He is confronted by the night guard holding a pistol and is forced to shoot his way out of the situation, taking down the night guard with single shot to stomach. As a result of his blunder in setting off the alarm the police have also now arrived to the scene of the factory floor and discovered the prone guard. This soon also escalates into a shoot out with the police resulting in an accidental explosion which appears to consume the factory.

Later that night, he arrives at the apartment of Francesca (Odile Versois), whom naturally is surprised to see O'Donovan pushing past her into the apartment immediately tells him that she had sent him a ticket to his hotel. He pressures Francesca, demanding she put him in contact with Petersen (Paul Muller) via phone. Initially feigning ignorance of Petersen's location telling him that 'he never spends his weekends in Florence.' and besides she is 'only his secretary'. O'Donovan doesn't fall for this ploy and implores her further that it is important he contact Petersen immediately. Sensing this may not be the kind of urgent business matter her employer would rather be involved in she attempts to stall but is pressured into calling her employer anyway. She notes the injury to O'Donovan's head to which he follows up by blaming this as the reason for missing his flight due to a taxi accident. She reaches Petersen on the phone. Playing it cool while a suspicious Francesca leaves earshot O'Donovan soon relays his desperation to Petersen over the phone.

The scene makes a transition visually through flames consuming newspaper front page headlines in Italian and French before landing the English newspaper being bought from a vendor that states there has been a disaster in a factory suspected of sabotage and fear of many lives lost. The camera pans towards the doorway sign at Warren Ingram's Headquarters in England. Michael (Anthony Oliver) comes in to the executive's office to meet with the head of British racing team (Ingram) and is soon brought up to date on the details of the situation leading to O'Donovan as the cause of the much publicized disaster in Italy.

Ingram confides the disaster in the news articles is a result of O'Donovan's botched attempt to gain the plans for "positive direct fuel injection". It is because of this technology the 'Italians still win all the big races' and continue to frustrate his self-confessed ambition (or obsession some would say) to win the world racing championship since before the war going on two decades. He divulges how he had indirectly hired the knowingly crooked O'Donovan, whom he has since been disappointed with because he had hoped was 'at least competent', to get the plans through corporate espionage. Revealing that he had issued strict instructions of doing 'nothing illegal' and was to merely offer the Italian designer a bribe of double what the Italians were paying if he would come work for Ingram instead. The bribe refused, Ingram instructed O'Donovan to 'hang around' and just 'talk to people' but not to take any risks and absolutely nothing illegal. Michael inquires if O'Donovan has been caught. Ingram informs him that thankfully not and that is why he has Petersen as an agent in Italy charged with handling O'Donovan. He leaves Michael with the urgent task of getting in touch with Petersen as he has already tried to reach him but has not yet heard back.

Next we see the Italian police motor patrol escorted by motorcycles riding by just below the veranda of a visibly tense Petersen's villa where a none too concerned O'Donovan expresses his more urgent concerns about leaving as soon as possible. To which Petersen replies by pointing out O'Donovan's seeming lack of comprehension about the seriousness of having killed two policemen which now has them (the police) out for his blood, 'there is road a block on every corner'. Sensing he can leverage this against Petersen's own fear of being caught harboring a fugitive he urges him by stating 'All the more reason for you getting me out quickly'. and that he (O'Donovan) should remain right where he is or he would be instantly recognized 'The moment you set foot one in the street'. O'Donovan brushes this aside and presses further saying 'All the more reason getting me out of here. Quickly.' Petersen counters by rhetorically asking 'Have you seen this?' and hands O'Donovan the local Italian newspaper front page which has the headline: "Have you seen this man?" and police's reconstructed image of the wanted suspect.

O'Donovan throws the newspaper away in frustration and pushes Petersen further for details on the plan to get him out. To which Petersen informs him to stay on the terrace and not come near the edge lest he be seen. To which O'Donovan pushes further by suggesting that 'Every country has a back door.' and they should use one. To which Petersen flatly reminds him that 'Backdoors as you call them are risks' and he is not prepared to take such as risk. O'Donovan sarcastically replies 'Of coursed the great name of Warren Ingram needs to protected' demonstrating his frustration. Petersen not taking the bait also flatly replies back pointedly 'At all costs!.' A phone call from Ingram interrupts.

In a coded conversation Ingram relays to Petersen that he should hold on to the 'package' and not try to ship it (O'Donovan) by air or sea, lest they have problems with customs (the law) it would put them in serious trouble. Michael having witnessed the conversation and Ingram's visible turmoil over his acknowledged fault for being the source to blame the whole affair triggering five deaths and destruction of a factory is wrought with guilt. Michael suggests that maybe it would be advisable to simple be ride of O'Donovan by letting Petersen handle his permanent disappearance. The implication doesn't escape Ingram whom comes to realize he is not truly a criminal but just a business man who has gotten himself into a mess due to his own mistake. He says he will not cover up one mistake by creating another one (yet that is what he ultimately does). He now is plans to cover up this mess by smuggling O'Donovan out of Italy, the remaining question how?

At a track side in the next scene the Ingram race team banter about. At that moment Johnny Carpenter (Lee Patterson) again catches the unwanted attention of visibly irritated team manager Ted Thornhill (Maurice Denham) because his is distracted by physical horseplay with a female teammate when he is supposed to be taking the lap times. Berated for not paying attention to the last lap time and questioned as to his ability to read a clock. Johnny starts to verbally fumble when teammate Ginger (Michael Medwin) steps up and lobs a sophomoric excuse for Johnny's trouble with keeping lap times by saying 'He only goes by opening and closing times.' as in the opening an closing of drinking establishments. Referencing his teammate's already soiled reputation for poor work habits due to excessive drinking as well as sexual distractions. To which Johnny's girl friend / teammate comes to the rescue by providing the requested lap time, further causing the manager's exasperation in stating 'Thank heavens for women.' to further vent his frustration with the apparently juvenile minded Johnny's (as well as his other male teammate's) testosterone induced misbehavior.

The manager now moved on to focus his paternalistic ire at another team member gives Ginger the chance to admonish Johnny for being such a clod given his current status and clouded reputation with the team. Johnny in typical fashion states 'I'm a driver not a time keeper.' as an excuse for his inability to complete a seemingly trivial task of time keeping that he perceives as being beneath his role of race car driver. We come to know he is being punished by not being allowed to race for the remainder of the season due to his misadventures with the fair sex causing him to over do his efforts at seduction by attempting to out drink a 'smashing little French number' into bed that turned out to be the reason he missed the LeMans race the next day, seriously jeapordizing his racer license as well as the team had nay officials been alerted. To which Johnny protests he actually just had a cold. But his male teammates say otherwise questioning if he isn't hung over now. He's claims to have been dry for ten days to no avail with his boss and worse yet he is feeling the heat for humiliated by his teammates for having been drunk under the table by a woman and has even taken the first reluctant step towards atonement by refraining from drink for ten whole days. Another driver pulls into the pit lane and the restart their banter about each other's driving technique and trouble with the cars mechanicals.

Ingram and Michael appear to make on site evaluation. Michael makes the observation of the driver's desensitized towards risky behavior as 'They don't know what risk is. They spend half their lives taking risks.'. They are making a determination as to who will be the ideal man for the job they have in mind will be, using the upcoming Italian race to smuggle O'Donovan out the country. The appearance of Ingram and Michael in the distance doesn't go unnoticed by the team. To which Ginger makes the comical comment about Ingram, 'Ah, the boss. Large as life and twice as rich!'

Ingram turns to Michael for his opinion on who he favors for the risky task. Eliminating each man for his perceived weakness or lack incentive in joining the plot. He narrows the field to Bill Fraser (Anthony Steel) for the stated reasons; He is hasn't 'A nerve in his body' and needs money to fund his own race car obsession which he can't afford, something Ingram understands all too well. Fraser shares a passion with Ingram. Something that will drive a man to take risks for that others would perceive as unthinkable, except by like minded men.

Thornhill barks at a driver for what the other drivers perceive as uncalled for shortness. To which Ginger comments about how Thornhill's disability due an racing accident keeping him from racing would cause any of them to also be snippy.

Back in Italy, O'Donovan is getting cabin fever over and takes it out on the man servant Mario for 'Behaving like a flaming watchdog.'. Petersen enters just them dropping the news literally on the table that yet another policeman has died presumably due to O'Donovan's fault. To which he slashes back verbally by attempting to justify his reasons in having to create a diversion in order to get away. Implying that those deaths of innocents were just incidental and unavoidable. Having implicated himself he is having trouble coming to grips with the fact that he is alone is responsible for the deaths of innocent people due to his greed. Instead he turns to share blame with Ingram's greed and those depending on Ingram like Petersen as he too is a victim of circumstance. After Petersen leaves momentarily he makes a break for it via the veranda ledge but is soon spotted by a returning Petersen. A struggle ensues, coming to a halt only after Mario fires a warning shot. Regaining composure O'Donovan coldly states 'Well, if you're sure it's no trouble, I'll stay on for a few days.'. Somewhat reminiscent of something humorous James Bond would say in similar circumstances.

In London, England we hear Big Ben toll as Bill Fraser and Ginger work on Bill's car. Suddenly Ginger notices a familiar car approaching. The arrival of someone whom Bill acknowledges is Warren Ingram and goes to greet. Ingram shows keen interest in the race car paying compliments to its design. He demonstrates his open appreciation for Bill's ideas and suggests he should have brought these to him, implying some sort of assistance would be forthcoming. Bill wisely explains he would rather demonstrate complete car rather than incomplete ideas. The hint is dropped by Ingram that he can understand Bill's resources and time are stretched and Bill readily acknowledges the fact he can only fit this personal project in between races. In any case they seemingly have struck up a common ground for the future with Ingram telling him to come see him after the race in Italy. The future is looking bright for Bill.

At the airport the team is ready to board a flight to Italy and being seen off by Ingram in the background whom a reporter notices and stops by to wish good luck in the upcoming race. Ingram humbly states that it is not he that deserves well wishes but rather the team. Having wished the team well the reporter leaves and stating he will meet up in Italy with the team, Ingram moves on as well, presumably to go on his own private flight. A uniformed airline employee requests that they start start boarding. Ginger starts to flirt with a female he assumes is a flight attendant. Bill inquires if she is in fact the attendant to which she replies she is not. Meanwhile, another teammate holds Bill back reminding him that he has Francesca in Italy waiting. To which Ginger laughingly replies, 'Yeah, Francesca with the meat axe.' making it clear that Bill already has a girl, thereby eliminating the competition for the stewardess' attention. Having discovered the female he first encountered is not the actual flight attendant he immediately moves on to the another woman standing next to the first as if she has now become invisible and starts his blatant flirting routine over again telling the new focus of his attention, 'How do you do? Air travel doesn't agree with me so I shall need a lot of attention.'. She politely agrees, allowing him to shake as he passes and turns once again to ask, 'Please stop by my seat and fasten my seatbelt.' in much the same was a precocious child would. To which the stewardess appears to politely agree with a smile and turns to the other uniformed employee with a hint of shared humor (flirting passengers apparently come with the job).

The scene quickly cuts to plane landing, then a street scene, and then momentarily to a crowd of people waving and yelling towards a wanted-for-murder poster with a reward 1.000.000 Lira for capture of the still missing fugitive. Next we are looking up on the outside a what appears to be an office building in Florence with the Warren Ingram name on it. Inside a spacious office, Ingram and Michael appear being brought up to date by Petersen on O'Donovan's escape attempt. They are visibly unhappy about hearing that O'Donovan wants to leave for Tangiers in order to meet up with his friends. At this point, Michael reiterates why the plan with Fraser is much safer as someone (Michael) will be with O'Donovan all the way to Bombay (India), where he will be less likely to cause problems once he is on his own. Peter agrees, as it will also be unexpected by the authorities. At this point, Francesca enters with mail for O'Donovan she hands to Petersen, who tells her that O'Donovan left Italy three days prior.

Back at Petersen's villa, O'Donovan is not happy to hear he will be leaving Italy via Switzerland to his ultimate destination in Bombay. He is shown the passport with which he will be travelling under the name John Bernard Spencer. Petersen tells him it is not negotiable and Ingram refuses to meet with O'Donovan. Hoping to still gain leverage on Ingram, he tells Petersen to relay the message to Ingram that he still has the plans for the part he needs (positive direct fuel injection).

Ingram and Michael arrive at the racing team's garage in Italy to meet with Ted Thornhill to deliver what is presumed he will take as bad news. Michael asks about locating Ted Thornhill as he passes some of the drivers occupied bantering about as Ginger paints the race numbers on a car and the banter resumes with boys still teasing Johnny about his drinking and womanizing.

Not far away, Ted Thornhill meets with Ingram in a team-manager-to-owner capacity regarding Johmmy's driving suspension. Thornhill argues that it's a matter of discipline and can't be taken lightly for the risk to the team, pointing out what could have resulted if Johnny's drinking had been discovered by the officials at LeMans. Nonetheless, Ingram reminds Thornhill that Johnny's behavior is just boys being boys; he's young and deserves a second chance. He makes it clear he wants Johnny to be teamed with his friend Bill Fraser on the next race. Also in passing, he takes the opportunity to reassign Thornhill to the important refueling stop at Milan which will also allow Thornhill an opportunity to then get to the race end point as well, the unsuspecting team manager takes this in stride as his friend Ingram throwing him a bone for overriding his authority as team manager. Ingram will take Thornhill's place and be responsible for managing the team start off point.

As Thornhill gives Johnny the good news Michael let's Ingram know that O'Donovan is pressuring to meet and is using the stolen blue prints as leverage. Meanwhile, in a fit of exhuberance Johnny back slaps Ginger causing him to get covered in paint.

At an informal get-together in an undisclosed villa. Johnny breaks the good news to his teammate and friend Bill Fraser and as they look over a race course map ponder the meaning of the Ingram's reason for changing Ted Thornhill's duties as well they are joined by the rest of the team. For the moment they all just shrug it off as fickleness of a forever unsatisfied millionaire. At Petersen's villa Ingram finally meets with O'Donovan settle the matter of the stolen blue prints, were Ingram expresses his dissatisfaction with O'Donovan's lack of moral compass. O'Donovan brings Ingram back to earth telling him that they are both crooks just of a different type. Nonetheless, Ingram issues a stern warning to O'Donovan that another innocent person will be taking a risk to get O'Donovan to safety and vows to destroy O'Donovan should harm befall this young man.

Petersen meets with Gabriela (Anne Heywood) telling her she needs to drop a pill into Johnny's drink. Despite his best efforts he falls victim to the charms of Gabriela which others aware of Johnny's drinking problem witness as Johnny drinks with Gabriela at the gathering but are initially not concerned as they believe he will not be so negligent again. Meanwhile, Bill and Francesca are dealing with coming to terms regarding Bill's marriage proposal. At the hotel Johnny comes back to his room with Gabriela but meets with Petersen. Johnny informs Petersen that he has only had three drinks despite his apparent condition (not aware he his drink was spiked). Petersen claims to worry about his condition and hands him an Alka-Seltzer to settle his stomach for the night but in fact he has been handed a second dosed drink which puts him out.

The next day Ingram calls for Bill to meet in Johnny's room at The Hotel Torino. Johnny's out and smells of whiskey like the bottle on his nightstand. Both Ingram and Bill are aware that no last minute changes in drivers can be made and if the officials are alerted as to why Johnny can't be co-driver. It will cost him his racer license as well as the race for the Ingram team. He reminds Bill that he too once was a racer with Ted and gave it up (out of loyalty) after Ted was injured, Ingram is loyal to those who are a part of his team. Ingram offers Bill a way to save his friend and the team plus offers to give Bill the much needed sponsorship for his race car project that Ingram willingly offers in exchange for taking the risk of substituting another man for Johnny. Bill is sold on the idea commenting 'I believe we can get away with it. Any two man look as much alike under a helmet and goggles.'. He still a few concerns which Ingram quickly address as something he can handle. Bill starts to wonder who else on the team would be suitable for the task, but again Ingram says he has someone in mind. Ingram is still a man of conscience and asks Bill one more time if he willing to accept the risk. Bill is sure.

On the race line Bill is asked about Johnny by Ginger asks about Johnny being missed. Bill explains that he went back to get his gloves in his room. Ginger voices his concern about seeing Johnny drinking with Gabriela at lunch and possibly over doing the drinking. Bill immediately covers for Johnny reassuring everyone by stating 'He hardly drank a thing, I was in his room a few minutes ago.' Petersen aware that some may get suspicious heads to the race line to reassure others. He cautions O'Donovan to stay in the room until five minutes before he is needed. He heads to meet Ingram and let him know everything is in play. Francesca and Bill appear to have come to a mutual underestanding bid farewell. Francesca asks another member of the team about Johnny and she head to his room to investigate but runs in O'Donovan and Petersen. Petersen holds Francesca captive while O'Donovan sweats it through the driver ID checkpoint which he managers to through due to a hurried official and disruptive photographer. The race starts without a hitch.

As the race winds through the streets of Florence into the country Petersen, Charles, and Ingram deal with Francesca trying to convince her that is it is not her interest to go to the authorities as it would put Bill in jeopardy. Convinced she will not endanger Bill, she is released but she gets a glimpse of the race course map and gets and idea on how she can might get to Bill in time and books a flight to Milan. Petersen is unsuccessful in holding her back as she makes a break for the airplane, losing Petersen at the boarding area. Petersen tries to contact Ingram but is too late as he is onboard airplane to Switzerland but still troubled by the situation. On the ground O'Donovan is a nervous passenger, not used to the frightening speeds and mountain driving of the Italian race course.

Petersen makes a call to the Milan checkpoint in an effort to warn O'Donovan, meanwhile Francesca is dealing with her late flight arrival and a ridiculously antiquated taxi that requires rousing a driver from his siesta so that he can crank start the old car. She makes it to the Milan checkpoint but is unable to get Bill away from O'Donovan's menacing gun after having alerted him about his fugitive co-driver. Bill is forced to continue the race at gunpoint. Francesca seeks the help of Ted Thornhill whom comes up with a plane to shortcut across the mountains to cut off Bill and O'Donovan before they can make it to Switzerland but avoid involving the police as this would mean the arrest of Bill as well.

Bill continues to drive a near break neck speed as way to keep O'Donovan under control but eventually makes and excuse to pull over to check a lose wheel and makes a try at overpowering O'Donovan. During the struggle the men are obscured by the car and his teammates spot the sidelined car but unable to see the drivers assume they are under the car taking care of a minor mechanical problem and pass by without stopping. O'Donovan having regained control over Bill and forces him to continue, once again to continue driving towards the 'Frontier' (Swiss border) failing to stop at the last check point this causes alarm.

Francesca concerned about Bill's safety as he near the border, is reassured by Thornhill that O'Donovan wouldn't be foolish enough to shoot his driver while traveling over a 100mpg through the dangerous mountain roads. Soon Bill and O'Donovan pass Ginger and his co-driver, but hey just assume it is the reckless Johnny at the wheel.

Igram too has become aware that they have suspiciously gone past a checkpoint without stopping concerned that they may be out of gas demands his assistant find the cars location in order to meet them, realizing the plan has been blown and of the danger this poses for Bill.

Francesca and Ted too are informed by a gas station attendant that Bill has gone past another checkpoint with out stopping and taken the wrong road. Ingram too is made aware that Bill's car is on the wrong side of Lake Como, jumps in his speedboat with his assistant hoping to head off Bill's car and maybe save him. He instructs his assistant Charles to contact the nearest frontier guard and make any excuse to get him back to where he expects to meet up the car. No longer caring about the fate of O'Donovan he is only concerned with saving Bill.

O'Donovan finally realizing he has been had struggles with Bill in another fight behind the wheel that runs them off the road leaving the car in precarious position while they continue fighting. Below Ingram arrives in the boat just below the struggling men at the foot of the cliff near the waters edge.

In the struggle above Bill manages to finally push back Donovan who then lands in the car cockpit causing it to go over the edge and killing both O'Donovan in the fall as well as Ingram being struck by the resulting lossened falling rocks but narrowly avoiding Francesca.

A frontier guard arrives just in time for Ingram to give a dying statement taking full responsibility for what happened and naming O'Donovan as the wanted man.

Cast

Production

Jeanne Crain was mentioned as a possibility for the female lead.

The film was shot at Pinewood Studios in London with location work in Italy, including footage of the Mille Miglia, and scenes at Lake Como. It was based on an original screenplay by Robert Estridge.

The movie features the Lotus Mark 10 Aston Martin. John Wyer and Roy Salvadori worked on the film as advisers. "Steel handled the car with surprising ease—and it isn't an easy thing to drive," said Wyer.

Anthony Steel married Anita Ekberg during the making of the film.

Reception

Betty Box later wrote that the film "was for some reason or other an enormous success in Japan, and as the Japanese were crazy about the pale blue drivers' overalls, the fan letters we got from them weren't, as is usual, asking for autographs or photographs. They wanted to know where they could buy the overalls."