7.1/10
7,162
53 user 26 critic

Eye of the Needle (1981)

A ruthless German spy, trying to get out of Britain with vital information about D-Day, must spend time with a young woman and her crippled husband.

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Writers:

(based on the novel by), (screenplay)
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1 nomination. See more awards »
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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...
...
...
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George Belbin ...
Faith Brook ...
Barbara Graley ...
George Lee ...
Arthur Lovegrove ...
Colin Rix ...
Barbara Ewing ...
Chris Jenkinson ...
William Merrow ...
Patrick Connor ...
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Storyline

A German spy carrying information that will reveal the target of Operation Overlord becomes involved with the wife of a crippled man on an isolated island off the Scottish coast while he waits to be picked up. Written by Keith Loh <loh@sfu.ca>

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

german | love | spy | u boat | murder | See All (88) »

Taglines:

Codename: "The Needle". Only one person can stop him: The woman who loves him ! See more »

Genres:

Romance | Thriller | War

Certificate:

R | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

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Details

Country:

Language:

|

Release Date:

24 July 1981 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Nålens öga  »

Company Credits

Production Co:

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

(archive footage)| (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Donald Surherland's German dialog is noticeably dubbed by a voice actor. See more »

Goofs

Just before ditching the stolen motor cycle Faber crossed Connel Bridge near Oban. In the period of the film it was a railway and road bridge, and there were no signs of railway lines. (In the 1960s it was also a toll bridge.) See more »

Quotes

Faber: The war has come down to the two of us.
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Connections

Referenced in Z Channel: A Magnificent Obsession (2004) See more »

Soundtracks

For He's a Jolly Good Fellow
(uncredited)
Traditional
Sung by wedding guests with modified lyrics ("For They Are Jolly Good Fellows")
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User Reviews

 
A Surprisingly Good Wartime Thriller
23 May 1999 | by (London, England) – See all my reviews

This film about a German agent trying to escape from Britain might seem to offer limited scope for interest, but Sutherland's menacing performance and the events on the island turn it into something approaching a study in psychopathy, laden with uncertainty and fear. The vulnerability of Lucy (Kate Nelligan, a sensitive and intelligent but definitely pre-feminist woman helps to give the film an added poignancy. Sutherland's performance is such that we are always fascinated by the damaged and ruthless character he portrays. Those who dislike war films may find themselves surprised by this film.


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How terribly lonely Lucy was Kathleenr88
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