Doublecross (1956) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A Cornish fisherman deceives dangerous foreign passengers, while an unexpected romance develops during the voyage and its aftermath.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

A Paid Passage

Three foreigners approach Albert about a boat and a trip to France. He accepts payment and sails with them on a moonlit night.

Key Events

• Cornish Fishing Village — The story opens in a Cornish fishing town in the 1950s. Characters: Albert Pascoe Location: Cornish fishing town
• Foreigners Seek a Boat — Three foreigners ask about hiring a boat and travelling to the French coast. Characters: Albert Pascoe, Dmitri Krassin, Clifford, Anna Krassin Location: Local pub
• The Crossing Is Hired — Albert agrees to take the three foreigners to France for £100, half paid in advance. Characters: Albert Pascoe, Dmitri Krassin, Clifford, Anna Krassin Location: Cornish fishing town
• Night Departure — Albert sails with the foreigners on a moonlit trip expected to last until the next afternoon. Characters: Albert Pascoe, Dmitri Krassin, Clifford, Anna Krassin Location: Cornish coast

Suspicion at Sea

News of a murder draws police attention while Albert overhears the foreigners discussing Dmitri's crime and theft of state secrets. He responds by altering the compass.

Key Events

• Salmon Found in Boat — Albert's smaller rowing boat is found with four large poached salmon inside. Characters: Albert Pascoe Location: Cornish village harbour
• Salmon Hidden — A friend hides the salmon from the authorities. Characters: Albert Pascoe Location: Cornish village
• Police Investigate Murder — Police become involved after it is revealed that one foreign man is a murderer. Characters: Dmitri Krassin Location: Cornish village
• Albert Learns the Secret — Albert overhears discussion that Dmitri killed a man while stealing UK state secrets. Characters: Albert Pascoe, Dmitri Krassin, Clifford, Anna Krassin Location: Boat
• Compass Is Altered — Albert alters the compass to misdirect the foreigners toward the English coast. Characters: Albert Pascoe, Dmitri Krassin, Clifford, Anna Krassin Location: Boat

The False French Landing

Dmitri and Clifford plan to kill Albert, but Anna warns him. Albert lands them at Land's End, where he confronts them as they discover the danger of the deception.

Key Events

• Plot Against Albert — Dmitri and Clifford plan to kill Albert after he drops them in France. Characters: Albert Pascoe, Dmitri Krassin, Clifford Location: Mid-channel
• Anna Warns Albert — Anna forewarns Albert about the men's plan to kill him. Characters: Albert Pascoe, Anna Krassin Location: Boat
• Landing at Land's End — Albert lands the men on the English coast, which resembles the French coast. Characters: Albert Pascoe, Dmitri Krassin, Clifford Location: Land's End, England
• Albert Confronts the Men — Albert attacks the men and tries to wrestle a gun from Dmitri; he spits in Clifford's face. Characters: Albert Pascoe, Dmitri Krassin, Clifford Location: Land's End, England

A New Bond

Anna remains aboard, and she and Albert resume their voyage. Her account of her Hungarian home deepens their connection before Albert explains the events to police.

Key Events

• Anna Stays Aboard — Anna has not left the boat; Albert returns to her and they set off to sea again. Characters: Albert Pascoe, Anna Krassin Location: Boat off Land's End
• Anna Shares Her Past — Anna tells Albert that her father fished on Hungary's Lake Balaton, and they begin to fall in love. Characters: Albert Pascoe, Anna Krassin Location: Boat at sea
• Albert Explains the Deception — Albert says he left the spies at Land's End and insists Anna is completely innocent. Characters: Albert Pascoe, Anna Krassin Location: Police questioning

Harbour Resolution

Police decline to charge Albert over the salmon. He and Anna decide to try living together as a couple.

Key Events

• Charges Are Dropped — Police refuse to charge Albert with illegally catching salmon as he returns to harbour. Characters: Albert Pascoe Location: Cornish harbour
• A Couple's New Start — Albert and Anna decide to try to live together as a couple. Characters: Albert Pascoe, Anna Krassin Location: Cornish fishing town

Story Breakdown

• Cornish Village — The fishing town establishes Albert's setting and the circumstances surrounding the trip.
  • Pub Encounter — Three foreigners approach local fishermen about hiring a boat.
  • Salmon Discovery — Albert's smaller rowing boat is found with four poached salmon.
• The Boat Agreement — Albert accepts payment to carry the foreigners toward France.
  • Fare Negotiation — Albert agrees to the £100 fare, half paid in advance.
  • Moonlit Departure — The group sets out on a crossing expected to last until the next afternoon.
• Criminal Revelation — Albert learns that the voyage involves a murderer and stolen state secrets.
  • Police Involvement — The murder revelation brings police attention to the situation.
  • Overheard Confession — Albert hears that Dmitri killed a man while stealing UK state secrets.
• Compass Deception — Albert secretly changes the route after learning what the foreigners have done.
  • Altered Compass — Albert manipulates the compass to misdirect the passengers.
  • English Coast — He lands them at Land's End, where the coast resembles France.
• The Murder Plot — The foreigners turn against Albert, and Anna's warning gives him a chance to respond.
  • Mid-Channel Scheme — Dmitri and Clifford plan to kill Albert after the supposed French landing.
  • Anna's Warning — Anna alerts Albert to the danger.
• Shore Confrontation — Albert confronts Dmitri and Clifford after landing them at Land's End.
  • Fight for the Gun — Albert tries to wrestle a gun from Dmitri.
  • Clifford Insulted — Albert spits in Clifford's face during the confrontation.
• Albert and Anna — The voyage creates a personal connection between Albert and Anna.
  • Anna Stays Aboard — Anna has not left the boat when Albert returns.
  • Lake Balaton Story — Anna shares that her father fished on Hungary's Lake Balaton.
• Police and Harbour — Albert explains his actions, defends Anna, and returns to a settled life in the village.
  • Anna Defended — Albert tells police that Anna is completely innocent.
  • Couple's Decision — Police decline to charge Albert over the salmon, and he and Anna decide to live together.

Directed by

Anthony Squire

Key Cast

• Donald Houston — Albert Pascoe
• Fay Compton — Alice Pascoe
• Anton Diffring — Dmitri Krassin
• Allan Cuthbertson — Clifford
• Delphi Lawrence — Anna Krassin