G. K. Chesterton's Father Ignatius Brown, amateur detective and "fisher of men" (he is a Roman Catholic priest who moonlights as a flatfoot), is a perfect vehicle for Alec Guinness. His penchant for playing several roles in one film here takes the form of one fondly schizoid character. Applying metaphysics to the art of crime control, Father Brown creates as many problems for the police as he does for his perennial foe, Flambeau (Peter Finch), whom he chases across two continents in search of the stolen St. Augustine cross. But his true quarry is Flambeau's soul, which he seeks to liberate for the good of all. A beautifully constructed comedy, ironic and whimsical by turns.