The Spy Who Came In From The Cold
Forget James Bond...and step into the real, dour and chilling world of spies and counterspies. Oscar nominee Richard Burton is the burnt-out British agent who refuses to "come in from the cold" to take a desk job-but instead launches into the most dangerous assignment of his career, stalking East German agent (and Golden Globe winner) Oskar Werner. John Le Carre's best-selling novel provides the basis for this breathtaking thriller of espionage, intrigue, crosses, and double crosses. First-rate performances from the entire cast are matched by a tension-packed and brilliantly plotted screenplay, with masterful direction from Martin Ritt (Hud, Sounder).
Member Reviews
"The Spy Who ..." Isn't "Bonded" But It Is Brilliant - CharleyJames
“Occasionally we have to do wicked things," understates Control, boss of British intelligence, in very proper tones. Wicked things happen in this film but not wicked things of violence and mayhem that mark most spy movies.
This is the wickedness of vicious double-dealing that shatters a man's integrity, rubs his nerves raw and tears at his soul.
James Bond is handsome, heroic, undefeatable and undeniably on the side of right. Alex Leamas, Le Carre’s anti-hero, is bitter, believing in nothing because he’s grown cynical through years of double-dealing.
He doesn't distinguish between right and wrong, but between right and wrong governments. If he has no sense of values it’s because he can’t afford one in this private world where values shift and each new experience erodes his spirits.
Leamas is burned out and bitter, his qualifications amounting to nothing more than a half bottle of whisky a day, a once trusted agent ripe for defection. He is bait in an attempt to discredit and remove the intelligence chief in East German. Agents directed by the East German second in command, a man insanely jealous of his boss, pick up Leamas and the machinery moves.
Richard Burton’s performance is one of subtle nuances. He underplays and comes up with a portrait of man embittered and weary, in flesh and spirit. Even his most dramatic speeches are restrained, given a tone of cynicism as he explains, for example, that “a spy is someone filthy, a drunk, a queer, a henpecked husband” — not someone balancing right and wrong.
Burton is not heroic but human, as is everyone in the movie. Claire Bloom is prettier than Le Carre's mousey little British Communist but is compelling as an idealist tricked into facing the brutal reality of the cold war.
Bond films are fairy tales for adults. The Spy Who Came In From the Cold is a drama of human values.Coldwar Nostalgia? - Gregg
For those that enjoy the spy genre and are also content with pace of older movies this should be enjoyable. If you are expecting lots of gun fights, car chases or other action scenes this might not be the right choice.
The film reflects both the source material (novel by John le Carré) and the time (1960's) in which it was made. The result is a labyrinth like plot, restrained performances and a stark realistic style to the camera work.
Despite the performances being restrained they are also very good, most importantly Richard Burton but also Claire Bloom, Oskar Werner and the rest of the cast.
The intricate plot isn't easy to summarize but in essence we have Alec Leamas (Burton) an all but burned out British agent who is offered a desk job but makes one more trip across the Iron Curtain. The motives of almost all the players are difficult to ascertain, so neither the protagonist or the audience can be sure why any of the characters make the choices they do.
While this is a well crafted film in terms of adaptations of le Carré I don't find this stands up as well as "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy" which was made for TV as a mini-series and therefore as more time to develop the story.Fantastic movie! - heatherc
Definitely worth watching. The tension builds throughout the film, right up to an ending that is a real twist. As a spy movie, the pace is slow, and deliberate, but it keeps you thinking. Very enjoyable...it's one of those movies that would be ruined by a remake. You have to see it in black and white.
Member Reviews
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"The Spy Who ..." Isn't "Bonded" But It Is Brilliant - CharleyJames
“Occasionally we have to do wicked things," understates Control, boss of British intelligence, in very proper tones. Wicked things happen in this film but not wicked things of violence and mayhem that mark most spy movies.
This is the wickedness of ...Coldwar Nostalgia? - Gregg
For those that enjoy the spy genre and are also content with pace of older movies this should be enjoyable. If you are expecting lots of gun fights, car chases or other action scenes this might not be the right choice.
The film reflects both the source ...Fantastic movie! - heatherc
Definitely worth watching. The tension builds throughout the film, right up to an ending that is a real twist. As a spy movie, the pace is slow, and deliberate, but it keeps you thinking. Very enjoyable...it's one of those movies that would be ruined by a ...