Torn Curtain

A US physicist and rocket scientist who uses a staged defection to gain access to East German secrets while orchestrating his escape. He is cool under pressure, highly strategic, and willing to bend reality to achieve his goals. His balance between personal loyalty and Cold War duty drives much of the tension.

Armstrong’s assistant and fiancée who follows him into danger. She remains resolute under pressure, initially resisting manipulation but ultimately playing a crucial role in their escape. Her determination and caution test the limits of trust in a war-weary world.

East German security officer who suspects Armstrong's defection is a ruse. He relentlessly pursues the couple, becoming a central obstacle in their path. His pursuit intensifies the stakes until his confrontation with Armstrong ends in tragedy.

Chief scientist whose anti-missile equations become the focal point of Armstrong’s mission. He underestimates Armstrong, revealing secrets only under stress and pride. His moment of pique exposes the human vulnerabilities behind scientific breakthroughs.

Leader of the π network, coordinating the escape plan and guiding Armstrong and Sherman through a web of signals and routes. He embodies the calculated, long-game approach to defection and survival.

Exiled Polish noblewoman who helps guide Armstrong and Sherman toward a US visa route. Her presence adds a layer of aristocratic tension and humanitarian risk in a fractured Europe.

University professor who becomes a focal point in the interrogation scene, representing the academic world intersecting with state security. He embodies learned prestige pressed into service by the era’s paranoia.

Clinic physician who provides a rare, humane intervention and helps the couple escape. Her actions reveal the possibility of kindness within a surveillance-heavy system.

A contact within the π network whose farm serves as a cover and a staging ground for the defection plot. His quiet cooperation is pivotal to the network’s functioning.