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Topaz (1969)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
19 December 1969 (USA)
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Tagline:
Hitchcock takes you behind the actual headlines to expose the most explosive spy scandal of the century!
Plot:
A French intelligence agent becomes embroiled in the Cold War politics first with uncovering the events leading up to the 1962 Cuban Missle Crisis, and then back to France to break up an international Russian spy ring. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
2 wins
&
1 nomination
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NewsDesk:
(3 articles)
Geek Deal: Alfred Hitchcock Masterpiece DVD Collection for $54
(From Slash Film. 28 October 2009, 9:32 AM, PDT)
15 Bloody Box Sets
(From Fangoria. 19 January 2009, 8:00 AM, PST)
(From Slash Film. 28 October 2009, 9:32 AM, PDT)
15 Bloody Box Sets
(From Fangoria. 19 January 2009, 8:00 AM, PST)
User Comments:
Atypical Hitchcock
more (62 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only) | Frederick Stafford | ... | Andre Devereaux |
| Dany Robin | ... | Nicole Devereaux |
 | John Vernon | ... | Rico Parra |
| Karin Dor | ... | Juanita de Cordoba |
| Michel Piccoli | ... | Jacques Granville |
| Philippe Noiret | ... | Henri Jarre |
| Claude Jade | ... | Michele Picard |
| Michel Subor | ... | Francois Picard |
| Roscoe Lee Browne | ... | Philippe Dubois |
| Per-Axel Arosenius | ... | Boris Kusenov |
 | John Forsythe | ... | Michael Nordstrom |
| Edmon Ryan | ... | McKittreck |
| Sonja Kolthoff | ... | Mrs. Kusenov |
| Tina Hedström | ... | Tamara Kusenov (as Tina Hedstrom) |
| John Van Dreelen | ... | Claude Martin |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
143 min | 127 min (edited version)
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Westrex Recording System)
Certification:
Spain:18 |
Canada:G (Quebec) |
Canada:PG (Manitoba/Ontario) |
UK:PG (DVD rating) |
Iceland:12 |
UK:A (original rating) |
Brazil:14 |
Argentina:13 |
Australia:M |
Finland:K-16 |
Norway:15 |
Norway:16 (1970) |
Peru:14 |
Sweden:11 |
USA:M (original rating) |
USA:PG |
West Germany:12 |
Singapore:PG
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
According to Alfred Hitchcock, this was another of his experimental movies. In addition to the dialogue, the plot is revealed through the use of colors, predominantly red, yellow and white. He admits that this did not work out.
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Goofs:
Continuity: The position and numbers of the pencils in the mug on Jarré's desk, when Picard interviews him, varies between shots.
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Quotes:
Francois Picard:
I've been shot...Just a little.
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Movie Connections:
Featured in 'Topaz': An Appreciation by Film Critic/Historian Leonard Maltin (2001) (V)
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FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (62 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Topaz (1969)| Recent Posts (updated daily) | User |
|---|---|
| Pietà | ClassicsCaper |
| I'll watch Topaz on my deathbed! | Max_Planck |
| Red Dots | j_chy |
| Juanita de Cordoba | PorkPie007 |
| Middle finger | mrpacker |
| Juanita's secret? | treehugger1313-1 |
Recommendations
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Related Links
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Like so many Hollywood talents, Hitchcock was stereotyped. Also like so many Hollywood talents, whenever he tried to escape stereotyping, he would get criticized. That certainly was the case with TOPAZ. Although not as humorous, nor as romantic, nor even as exciting as the director's best films, the movie is nonetheless an intelligent and intriguing spy drama, one that compares more to a motion picture like DAY OF THE JACKYL than usual Hitchcock fare.
His other spy dramas, like NORTH BY NORTHWEST, may be more fun, but none of them are as realistic. In fact, very few spy films have the authenticity as TOPAZ. The story is based on fact. In 1962, a Russian top-level KGB defector informed the U.S. that some very high-level French diplomats, in a group called "Sapphire", were selling secrets to the Soviet Union. TIME Magazine printed this story in April 26, 1968, and did so using the same source that Leon Uris did: the U.S. sympathizing (and exiled) former Chief of French Intelligence, Philippe Thyraud de Vosjoli.
Incidentally, a viewer needs to know the chronology and key events surrounding the 1962 Cuban Missile Crises as background, or else the film will be confusing. I suspect many critics condemn it because it's easier for them to dismiss the film rather than confront their own ignorance.
Not that this movie is without weaknesses. Hitchcock was no realist, and the grim world of films like THE SPY WHO CAME IN FROM THE COLD is probably the type of ambiance it should have presented, but doesn't. However, I definitely join the camp of those who consider it underrated. I read writers on Hitchcock who unthinkingly rank TOPAZ with his worst stuff, and yet many of us prefer it over THE TROUBLE WITH HARRY, MR. AND MRS. SMITH, and other Hitchcock works that don't get castigated as nearly as much. I can't help but suspect they receive less criticism because they are more typical Hitchcock. This film is atypical Hitchcock, so readjust your expectations accordingly.