A Dandy in Aspic (1968)

During the Cold War, the British and Soviet Intelligence services attempt to out-fox one another using the homesick double-Agent Krasnevin a.k.a. Alexander Eberlin (Laurence Harvey) as a pawn in the complex spy-game.

Directors:

Anthony Mann, Laurence Harvey (uncredited)

Writers:

Derek Marlowe (screenplay), Derek Marlowe (novel)

Stars:

Laurence Harvey, Tom Courtenay, Mia Farrow

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Laurence Harvey	...	Krasnevin aka Alexander Eberlin
Tom Courtenay	...	Gatiss
Mia Farrow	...	Caroline
Harry Andrews	...	Fraser
Peter Cook	...	Prentiss
Lionel Stander	...	Sobakevich
Per Oscarsson	...	Pavel
Barbara Murray	...	Miss Vogler
John Bird	...	Henderson
Norman Bird	...	Copperfield
Geoffrey Bayldon	...	Lake
Calvin Lockhart	...	Brogue
James Cossins	...	Heston-Stevas
Michael Trubshawe	...	Flowers
Lockwood West	...	Quince

Storyline

Double-Agent Alexander Eberlin (Laurence Harvey) is assigned by the British to hunt out a Russian spy, known to them as Krasnevin. Only Eberlin knows that Krasnevin is none other than himself. Accompanying him on his mission is a ruthless partner, who gradually discovers his secret as Eberlin tries to maneuver himself out of a desperate situation.

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Plot Keywords:

espionage | double agent | spy | motor racing | west berlin west germany | 

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Taglines:

Filmed on location on both sides of the Berlin Wall...

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Genres:

Action | Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 April 1968 (USA)

Also Known As:

Spionen som ingen ville ha

Filming Locations:

Loseley Park, Guildford, Surrey, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia British Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This movie was released two years after Derek Marlowe's novel of the same name was published. "A Dandy in Aspic" was the first novel for author Marlowe.

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Quotes

Eberlin: You know, one thing about this damned profession - you're constantly being reminded of it. I feel like a whore in a creaking bed.

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Crazy Credits

Opening credits are shown over a scene of someone moving a marionette by pulling on the various strings.

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Connections

Referenced in A Night at the Movies: The Gigantic World of Epics (2009)

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Soundtracks

If You Want Love
by Ernie Sheldon and Quincy Jones
sung by Shirley Horn

User Reviews

Fab

I am not sure why this film gets a bad rap -- I thoroughly enjoyed it. Wonderful locations of an impossibly glamorous late-60s London, Lawrence Harvey suitably mysterious, a seeping sense of doom which won't give you nightmares but will make you appreciate the story arc even more.

Yes there are plot holes but nothing major. The character of Mia Farrow remains a cipher, but maybe it's intentional.

Watch out for two then future telly stars in minor roles: Richard O'Sullivan (of Man about the house) and Mike Pratt (of Randall and Hopkirk).

Recommended.