O'Connell: Hanover Street Blog

The two male leads, Halloran and Sellinger, offer contrasting views of heroism. Halloran's brash American machismo paints him as the stereotypical hero, piloting into danger without batting an eye, the traits that Sellinger so admires. Sellinger, however, as mild-mannered or "pleasant" in his own words as he is, faces the very same type of danger without backing down. Though as Pfeiffer puts it, "[Halloran] is courageous only because his loneliness prevents him from having a fear of death," and as soon as he has someone else to live for besides himself, he loses his foolhardy bravery. Sellinger already loves his wife and daughter, and jumps into danger even though he risks losing them. It suggests that Halloran's heroism and bravery were flimsy, that his courage was easy to achieve, seeing as his life held little value. Alternately, it shows Sellinger's valor to hold greater value, as he truly has much to lose, and yet still takes his life into his hands.

Sellinger greatly desires the image of a "hero" that Halloran dismisses. It is a rather egocentric desire, but the contrast between the two views of glory illuminates each character's motives. As "the archetypal upper-crust British gentleman who discovers he would rather die than remain dull." (Pfeiffer) Sellinger is driven by a desire to better himself, to become a dashing hero for his family to look up to, he shows the concept of heroism as the bright and shiny glory of masculine valor. Halloran, only experienced with the hollow heroism that comes with putting a valueless life on the line, has a very different understanding of their actions. While perhaps he still has an idea of such rose-tinted bravery, he certainly doesn't apply it to himself.

After the plane crash, the reluctant Halloran follows along with the starry eyed and inept search for glory, all the while Sellinger is optimistic and confident. As the film reaches the espionage and excitement of their mission, we see Halloran struggling to deal with his newfound fear of death. It turns the tables as Sellinger, already used to valuing his own life, now plays the fearless role. When he sustains a near-fatal wound, Halloran's new respect for life and fear of death push him to rescue Sellinger, in what is perhaps the most heroic action scene in the film.

The role reversal between the two characters is a fascinating development in the film, as both characters learn from one another how to overcome their defining traits. Sellinger learns to put his life on the line, and Halloran learns when not to do so. As Sellinger explains to Halloran, you can only be courageous when you have something to fear, otherwise it's nothing but foolishness.