Synopsis: Classic Le Carre double double cross spy thriller
Director: Martin Ritt
Actors: Richard Burton, Claire Bloom, Oskar Werner
Date: 1965
How viewed: Lovefilm rental
Rating: 5/5
David Meyer says:
Director Martin Ritt is no visual stylist; he frames the action simply and lets it happen. Ritt obtains fine, quiet performances from his predominantly English cast, something few American directors have accomplished.
I say:
This follows the Le Carre novel closely, but despite the complex wheeling and dealing, and double crossing, is surprisingly easy to follow - even the twist at the end makes sense. Made in 1965 in black and white, London comes over as grey, bleak, and decidedly old fashioned, not at all like the swinging 60's I recall! The story involves Leamas (Richard Burton - just right!) being taken off active duty in Berlin, given a boring office job, turning to drink, and being persuaded by the Russians to defect and spill the beans. It's not clear how much he knows about what's going on, and how much he's kept in the dark, but, despite all the (planned??) twists, it all works out well for the those in control, and badly for Leamas - the drawback of being a secret agent - wonder if there's any good things!! One of joys of watching these old (relatively old!) films is seeing familiar faces from TV at the time - Rupert Davies (Maigret!!) turns up as Smiley, and well as the likes of Cyril Cusack, Michael Hordern, Robert Hardy, Bernard Lee, Esmond Knight et all! God, that shows how old I am! Anyway, this is the antidote to James Bond films and well worth watching.
This follows the Le Carre novel closely, but despite the complex wheeling and dealing, and double crossing, is surprisingly easy to follow - even the twist at the end makes sense. Made in 1965 in black and white, London comes over as grey, bleak, and decidedly old fashioned, not at all like the swinging 60's I recall! The story involves Leamas (Richard Burton - just right!) being taken off active duty in Berlin, given a boring office job, turning to drink, and being persuaded by the Russians to defect and spill the beans. It's not clear how much he knows about what's going on, and how much he's kept in the dark, but, despite all the (planned??) twists, it all works out well for the those in control, and badly for Leamas - the drawback of being a secret agent - wonder if there's any good things!! One of joys of watching these old (relatively old!) films is seeing familiar faces from TV at the time - Rupert Davies (Maigret!!) turns up as Smiley, and well as the likes of Cyril Cusack, Michael Hordern, Robert Hardy, Bernard Lee, Esmond Knight et all! God, that shows how old I am! Anyway, this is the antidote to James Bond films and well worth watching.
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