The Man Who Finally Died (1963)

Mar 10, 2024

by Ted Davis

Directed by: Quentin Lawrence

Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains some spoilers for this film!

Synopsis: A more apt title might be The Movie Which Finally Ended. This listless and uninvolving thriller wastes a fine cast as it follows the meandering Joe Newman (Stanley Baker) as he returns to Germany some seventeen years after World War II to solve the mystery of his long-lost father’s sudden death.

Cat Burglar (Scene Stealer): The movie does offer a single bright spot, Putzi the traveling tabby cat who enters the train compartment with her mistress (Miriam Pritchett) where Russian agent Brenner (Niall McGinnis) is discussing moral relativism with his prisoner Professor Schiller (Harold Scott).

The Man Who Finally Died - woman Miriam Pritchett entering train compartment with tabby cat Putzi

Putzi and her mistress relax in the compartment, giving their ticket to the porter before leaving for the dining car for refreshments (although Putzi’s mom has been stuffing her face already).

The Man Who Finally Died - woman Miriam Pritchett sitting in train compartment with tabby cat Putzi and Professor Schiller Harold Scott
The Man Who Finally Died - woman Miriam Pritchett sitting in train compartment with tabby cat Putzi and Professor Schiller Harold Scott
The Man Who Finally Died - woman Miriam Pritchett sitting in train compartment with tabby cat Putzi and Professor Schiller Harold Scott and Brenner Niall McGinnis
The Man Who Finally Died - woman Miriam Pritchett sitting in train compartment with tabby cat Putzi and Professor Schiller Harold Scott and Brenner Niall McGinnis
The Man Who Finally Died - woman Miriam Pritchett leaving train compartment with tabby cat Putzi and Professor Schiller Harold Scott and Brenner Niall McGinnis animated gif

Shortly thereafter, Brenner has a brief encounter with the pair in the train corridor, picking up and handing Putzi to the lady while remarking that he’s a nice cat.

The Man Who Finally Died - woman Miriam Pritchett holding tabby cat Putzi with Brenner Niall McGinnis
The Man Who Finally Died - woman Miriam Pritchett being handed tabby cat Putzi by Brenner Niall McGinnis animated gif

The friendly lady corrects Brenner’s mistake, telling him that Putzi is female and that the cat loves to travel. Their pleasant chat is curtailed when Newman enters the scene.

The Man Who Finally Died - woman Miriam Pritchett holding tabby cat Putzi with Brenner Niall McGinnis

There’s a last brief glimpse of the nice Putzi as she witnesses a violent confrontation in the compartment.

The Man Who Finally Died - woman Miriam Pritchett holding tabby cat Putzi as she enters train compartment where fight begins
The Man Who Finally Died - woman Miriam Pritchett entering train compartment with tabby cat Putzi as Brenner Niall McGinnis and Joe Stanley Baker fight with Professor Schiller Harold Scott animated gif

Final Mewsings: It’s rude to eat in front of your cat and not offer them anything.

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