this be a handsomely film but thoroughly nasty wartime adventure thriller i first saw when it be release way back in 79 about a german scientist ( james mason ) be smuggle across the swiss alp by a basque guide ( anthony quinn ) whilst be hotly pursue by a sadistic s nazi commandant ( malcolm mcdowell in a truly hilarious performance ) . certain scene be indeed quite disturb while malcolm slice off of a victim finger during an interrogation and malcolm massacre of a gypsy family lead by christopher lee and malcolm subsequent rape of the scientist beautiful daughter ( kay lenz ) after remove his nazi brand brief ( charm ) . some of the swedish scenery be quite breathtaking ( especially the opening aerial credit sequence across the alp ) and the movie be competently direct by the late and great brit veteran j. lee thompson ( cape fear and the gun of navarone and wouldeath wish 4 ) .