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The Spy Who Came in from the Cold (1965)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
16 December 1965 (USA)
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Tagline:
BRACE YOURSELF FOR GREATNESS more
Plot:
British agent Alec Leamas refuses to come in from the cold war during the 1960s, choosing to face another mission, which may prove to be his final one. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for 2 Oscars.
Another 8 wins
&
3 nominations
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NewsDesk:
(3 articles)
Claire Bloom to star in 'Doctor Who?'
(From digitalspy. 29 April 2009, 8:14 AM, PDT)
The Night Manager Has A Plan B
(From EmpireOnline. 16 March 2009, 11:05 PM, PDT)
(From digitalspy. 29 April 2009, 8:14 AM, PDT)
The Night Manager Has A Plan B
(From EmpireOnline. 16 March 2009, 11:05 PM, PDT)
User Comments:
One of the best films ever made
more (58 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only) | Richard Burton | ... | Alec Leamas |
 | Claire Bloom | ... | Nan Perry |
| Oskar Werner | ... | Fiedler |
| Sam Wanamaker | ... | Peters |
| George Voskovec | ... | East German Defense Attorney |
| Rupert Davies | ... | George Smiley |
| Cyril Cusack | ... | Control |
| Peter van Eyck | ... | Hans-Dieter Mundt (as Peter Van Eyck) |
| Michael Hordern | ... | Ashe |
| Robert Hardy | ... | Dick Carlton |
| Bernard Lee | ... | Patmore |
| Beatrix Lehmann | ... | Tribunal President |
| Esmond Knight | ... | Old Judge |
| Tom Stern | ... | CIA Agent |
| Niall MacGinnis | ... | German Checkpoint Guard |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
112 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Westrex Recording System)
Certification:
UK:A (original rating) |
Australia:M |
Norway:16 |
Netherlands:12 |
West Germany:12 (f) (cut version) |
West Germany:16 (f) (original rating) |
Finland:K-16 |
Sweden:15 |
Canada:PG |
UK:PG |
USA:Unrated
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
David Lodge says in his memoirs he had disastrous interview with Martin Ritt for the part of Patmore.
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Quotes:
Alec Leamas:
[to Fiedler] If ever I have to break your neck, I promise to do it with a minimum of force. Now, when do I get my bloody money?
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Movie Connections:
Referenced in "Cheers: The Spy Who Came in for a Cold One (#1.12)" (1982)
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FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (58 total)
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I have unreserved enthusiasm for this film having watched it on many occasions and yet to find a fault. Indeed it only gets better. It is so atmospheric, with Director Martin Ritt, his designers and photographers, all superb. You really feel you are either in a typical 1960's corner shop in London, a prison in East Germany or a communist safe-house in Scandanavia.
It has always been my view that once it is established the leading actor in any film is on top form, which certainly applies to Burton and the script is accepted as good, then it is the support actors who determine whether a film is going to reach excellence. The Spy Who Came In from the Cold has an absolutely first-class range of actors at the very top of their profession. The casting is magnificent and each of them has a meaningful part to play in this film, enabling them to bring their own special qualities to every role.
The list of talent is endless and includes Claire Bloom playing the naive young communist, Nan, who befriends Leamas, Michael Hordern, Robert Hardy, Sam Wanamaker, Peter Van Eyck who was very good as Hans Dieter Munt, the very sinister head of the East German Secret Police, the brilliant Cyril Cussack and Bernard Lee. My own particular favourite in the film, however, is the excellent Oskar Werner who portrays Fiedler, Deputy to Munt, who despite this and his fanatical belief in communism, is suspected and despised by his own organisation because he is Jewish.
But of course it is Burton who is the central part to the film and he plays the downbeat spy, Alec Leamas, to perfection, in what must be one of the best performances of his film career. Burton is Leamas and Leamas is Burton. He is brilliant and I cannot imagine the author of the book, John Le Carre, being anything than very impressed with Burton's interpretation of his character.
The film is well worthy of being watched either by those who have not seen it before, or by others who have to appreciate it once again. It is of course from a by-gone era when communism was an ideology followed by millions and opposed by many millions more besides. It was perceived by many as a fight to the death, hence the tension which Martin Ritt and his team magnificently captures.
It may well be a film depicting another era but I have no doubt there will be many operators just like Alec Leamas in our modern-day secret service, just as cynical about making a living in the seedy world in which they inhabit. The story comfortably defies the passing of time, while the quality of acting will be appreciated indefinitely such is the very high standard.
Michael Dixon, Sunderland, England.