Torn Curtain is a 1966 thriller film directed by Alfred Hitchcock, featuring his trademark characters and camera techniques. The film was written by Brian Moore, and rated PG when it was released to theaters on July 14th of 1966. The film caused some controversy for its racy scenes featuring star Julie Andrews, who had recently made several successful Disney family films. However, it was a minor hit for Alfred Hitchcock and an honorable effort, though rarely considered a Hitchcock classic.

During production, the film faced some major setbacks, beyond the controversy surrounding its female star. The original script was deemed unsuitable by both Alfred Hitchcock and Universal Pictures, who financed the picture. Keith Waterhouse and Willis Hall had to do extensive re-writes and script doctoring before any filming could be completed, despite their efforts going uncredited. Bernard Herrmann, a long-time collaborator of Alfred Hitchcock, completed a full score before the film's completion, but both Hitch and Universal called for a more upbeat score. Bernard Herrman and Alfred Hitchcock had a major falling out, and the long-time collaborators never worked together again. Financial problems and several filming location changes also delayed the production.

Plot

When Michael Armstrong (Paul Newman), an esteemed professor and scientist, begins acting suspiciously, his assistant and fiancée, Sarah Sherman (Julie Andrews), follows him to East Germany, believing he has defected to the other side.