Man on a Tightrope is a 1953 American drama directed by Elia Kazan, starring Fredric March, Terry Moore and Gloria Grahame. The screenplay by Robert E. Sherwood was based on a 1952 novel of the same title by Neil Paterson. Paterson based his true story, which first appeared as the magazine novelette International Incident, on the escape of the Circus Brumbach from East Germany in 1950. Members of the Circus Brumbach appeared in the film version in both character roles and as extras. The film was entered into the 3rd Berlin International Film Festival.
In 1952 Czechoslovakia, circus man Karel ÃÂernÃÂk struggles to keep his beloved Cirkus ÃÂernÃÂk together, which belonged to his family before being nationalized by the Communist government. The government allows ÃÂernÃÂk to manage the circus, but he grapples with its deteriorating conditions, loss of his workers to the state, tension with his willful daughter Tereza, and his young second wife Zama, whom everyone suspects of being unfaithful. ÃÂernÃÂk wants to end a budding romance between Tereza and roustabout Joe Vosdek, who has been with the circus for only a year.
ÃÂernÃÂk is interrogated at the headquarters of the S.N.B. state security in Plzeà  on why he is not performing the Marxist propaganda acts dictated by the government. ÃÂernÃÂk explains that the skits were not funny, and that audiences prefer his usual act. The S.N.B. chief orders him to resume the required act, and to dismiss a longtime trouper who calls herself "The Duchess". Propaganda minister Fesker casually asks him about a radio in his trailer, alerting ÃÂernÃÂk to a spy in his midst. ÃÂernÃÂk is fined and released although Fesker believes that he is a threat to the state.
ÃÂernÃÂk, inspired by a recent spate of escapes from behind the Iron Curtain, has decided to escape over the border to Bavaria in West Germany. ÃÂernÃÂk suspects that Joe is the spy but unknown to him, Tereza has learned that Joe is actually a deserter from the American Army who is planning an escape attempt of his own. ÃÂernÃÂk's longtime rival Barovik visits and reveals that he knows of the escape plan. Barovik assures ÃÂernÃÂk that, because they are both circus men, he will not betray him. ÃÂernÃÂk agrees to leave behind most of his equipment for Barovik. Realizing that he must act swiftly, ÃÂernÃÂk discovers that Krofta, who has worked for ÃÂernÃÂk for twenty years, is actually the spy. ÃÂernÃÂk ties up Krofta but is confronted by Fesker about a travel permit, which he issues to catch ÃÂernÃÂk in the act of trying to escape. Fesker is about to pursue the circus when he is arrested by a commissar sergeant for issuing the travel permit.
Joe reveals himself to ÃÂernÃÂk, who incorporates him into the plan. At the border crossing, Krofta escapes but is stopped by ÃÂernÃÂk from warning the border guards. In the fracas, Krofta mortally wounds him. Using an audacious and violent dash across the only bridge, most of the circus safely escape only to be told that ÃÂernÃÂk has paid with his life. Obeying his dying wish, Zama orders the troupe to march on.
The film was shot on location in Bavaria, then in West Germany. Authentic acts were used and the entire Circus Brumbach was employed for the production. The original plot to escape in small increments across the border was the actual means used by the Circus Brumbach in their escape.