During the Revolutionary War, as many as 25% of colonists remained loyal to Britain, though not all were actively involved in undermining the revolution. One prominent loyalist was Benjamin Franklin's son William, who was the last colonial governor of New Jersey and a commander of loyalists that conducted guerrilla warfare in the New York City area. The British commander in New York often disapproved of Franklin's tactics. Estranged from his famous father, Franklin went into exile in London after the war and lived there until his death.
Text of British monument shown at film's conclusion: "Sacred to the memory of Major John Andre who, raised by his merit at an early period of life to the rank of Adjutant General of the British forces in America, and employed in an important but hazardous enterprise, fell a sacrifice to a zeal for the King and Country on the 2d of October A.D. 1780. Universally beloved and esteemed by the Army in which he served and lamented even by his foes. His gracious sovereign, King George the Third, has caused this monument to be erected."
[Foreword] The American Secret Service came into being with the celebrated "Case of Gustavus." The identity of Gustavus - Benedict Arnold - has been known for generations, but the story of how he was unmasked has only been revealed in recent years. This is that story.
Ironically, the narrator Paul Frees was a spy. According to author Peter Guralnick (in "Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley"), Frees was an undercover narcotics agent for the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs in the 1960s.
This film was John Sturges's last movie as a contract studio director.