The Holcroft Covenant (1985)

User Rating:

5.6/10   

Director:

John Frankenheimer

Writers:

Robert Ludlum (novel)
George Axelrod (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

18 October 1985 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Crime | Thriller

Plot:

The son of a German General becomes part of a mysterious conspiracy to gain hidden Nazi funds.

Plot Keywords:

Nazi | Conspiracy | Architect | Inheritance | Trafalgar Square

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Michael Caine	...	Noel Holcroft
Anthony Andrews	...	Johann von Tiebolt / Jonathan Tennyson
Victoria Tennant	...	Helden von Tiebolt / Helden Tennyson
Lilli Palmer	...	Althene Holcroft
Mario Adorf	...	Erich Kessler / Jürgen Mass
Michael Lonsdale	...	Ernst Manfredi
Bernard Hepton	...	Commander Leighton
Richard Münch	...	Oberst (as Richard Munch)
Carl Rigg	...	Anthony Beaumont
André Penvern	...	Frederick Leger (as Andre Penvern)
Andy Bradford	...	Hartman (as Andrew Bradford)
Shane Rimmer	...	Lt. Miles
Alexander Kerst	...	Gen. Heinrich Clausen
Michael Wolf	...	Gen. Erich Kessler
Hugo Bower	...	Gen. Wilhelm von Tiebolt

Runtime:

112 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English | German

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Canada:14A (Ontario) | Iceland:12 | Australia:M | Finland:K-16 | Norway:16 | USA:R | UK:15 | West Germany:16

Filming Locations:

Lindau, Bodensee, Bavaria, Germany

Company:

Thorn EMI Screen Entertainment

Trivia:

The voice of Bernie Sussman on Holcroft's answering machine is director John Frankenheimer.

Goofs:

Continuity: The letter Manfredi gives Holcroft, despite being 40 years ago, looks brand new.

Quotes:

[After Holcroft tries to attack him.]
Leighton: But please, do not attempt anything too vividly cinematic.

Very Entertaining, Relevant to 21st Century

Michael Caine always could anchor a spy flick, and The Holcroft Covenant is no exception. While the plot is a trifle flat, and a couple of the supporting actors (Victoria Tennent) stretch their abilities, the cinematographic techniques and direction by John Frankenheimer are superb, and Caine and Lilli Palmer are absolutely wonderful. The elements of film, particularly outdoor angles from crowded streets and icy violin sound effects echo back to the great spy movies of the Cold War era and lend an almost Hitchcockesque eeriness. The seedy Berlin night life is not overly useful and a bit tawdry, but it passes as just a spicy interlude. And when the climax finally reveals the plot, even the dense can see the implications and relevance to contemporary events in the 21st Century.

Frankenheimer puts on a great show!