The Quiller Memorandum (1966)

In the West Berlin of the 1960s, two British agents are killed by a Nazi group, prompting British Intelligence to dispatch agent Quiller to investigate.

Director:

Michael Anderson

Writers:

Trevor Dudley Smith (based on the novel by) (as Adam Hall), Harold Pinter (screenplay)

Stars:

George Segal, Alec Guinness, Max von Sydow

Nominated for 3 BAFTA Film Awards. Another 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview:
George Segal	...	Quiller
Alec Guinness	...	Pol
Max von Sydow	...	Oktober
Senta Berger	...	Inge Lindt
George Sanders	...	Gibbs
Robert Helpmann	...	Weng
Robert Flemyng	...	Rushington
Peter Carsten	...	Hengel
Ernst Walder	...	Grauber
Edith Schneider	...	Headmistress
Philip Madoc	...	Oktober's Man (Man with brown trousers)
Günter Meisner	...	Hassler (as Gunter Meisner)
John Rees	...	Oktober's Man (Man with black-rimmed glasses)

Storyline

Two British agents are murdered by a mysterious Neo-Nazi organization in West Berlin. The British Secret Service sends agent Quiller to investigate. Soon Quiller is confronted with Neo-Nazi chief "Oktober" and involved in a dangerous game where each side tries to find out the enemy's headquarters at any price.

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Plot Keywords:

espionage | neo nazi | cold war | british intelligence | based on novel | 

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Taglines:

Who are Quiller's friends? Who are his enemies?

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English German

Release Date:

15 December 1966 (USA)

Also Known As:

Quiller Memorandum

Filming Locations:

Berlin, Germany

Company Credits

Production Co:

The Rank Organisation, Ivan Foxwell Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System) (uncredited)

Color:

Color (DeLuxe) Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The movie's major cast feature two Georges, George Segal and George Sanders, as well as two Roberts, Robert Flemyng and Sir Robert Helpmann.

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Goofs

During the car chase, Quiller looks in his rear view mirror at the accident behind him. The image is not reversed, as it should be in a mirror.

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Quotes

Pol: Let me put it this way. There are two opposing armies drawn up on the field but there's a heavy fog- they can't see each other. Oh, they want to, of course, very much. You are in the gap between them. You can just see us, you can just see them. Your mission is to get near enough to see them, to signal their position to us so giving us the advantage. But if, in signaling their position to us, you inadvertently signal our position to them it is they who will gain a very considerable advantage. ...

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Connections

Referenced in Quilas, the Bad of the Picture (1980)

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Soundtracks

Downtown
(uncredited)
Written by Tony Hatch
Played at the bowling alley

User Reviews

Quirky Quiller, subtle thriller

As other reviewers have suggested, this Cold War Neo-Nazi intrigue is more concerned with subtle, low-key plot evolution than the James Bond in-your-face-gadgetry genre that was prevalent during the 60's-70's. George Segal provides us with a lead character who is somewhat quirky in his demeanor, yet nonetheless effective in his role as an agent. His dry but quick Yiddish humor shines through on many occasions, providing diversions that masquerade his underlying desire to expose the antagonists' machinations. His romantic interest is Senta Berger, whose understated and laconic dialog provides the perfect counterpoint to Segal's character. Alec Guiness and George Sanders have brief roles as Segal's Control and Home Office head, respectively, and both rather coldly and matter-of-factly pooh-pooh over the grisly death of Segal's agent predecessor. In typically British mordant fashion, George Sanders and a fellow staffer in Britain are lunching in London on pheasant, more concerned with the quality of their repast than with the loss of their man in the field!

That said, the story moves along in a neo-noirish, eerie fashion as Segal continues his search for and exposure of the Nazi cadre. Great job by Max von Sydow who articulately plays his villainous role to the fullest. The remaining cast, mostly German actors, fulfill the demands of their roles more than adequately. Nice plot twist at the end, especially for those who disdain trite endings. Good period piece!