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 as 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 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:

He is the Dandy! His mission is...murder! His victim is...himself!

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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

Director Anthony Mann died during production and was replaced by Laurence Harvey.

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Quotes

Gatiss: I don't like you, Eberlin. I don't like you because you're weak and dishonest. But even more, I don't like you because you're frightened of me, and that disturbs me. I want to know why. You can tell me; I'm a very understanding man.
Eberlin: You haven't got an ounce of understanding or emotion in your body. You died the moment you were born. And when your heart finally stops beating, it'll be a mere formality.

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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 Greetings (1968)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

Easy to criticize but hard not to like IMHO

I won't go into much detail as I don't disagree with many of the negative comments cast here, but overall this is an eminently watchable film- I've seen it perhaps 6 times. I like the quirky off balance, alternating dark and light nature (but then again I loved Fay Grim and other flawed gems).

And although likewise flawed there are some great individual performances great shots of London/Berlin ( I was in East Berlin in 1980 and it didn't look or feel much different) that make it the perfect rainy Wednesday afternoon companion.

Note, as uneven as it is, overall I think films like this are a more enjoyable experience than current releases like the Girl Who Played with Fire or the Social Network that are more consistent; but consistently mediocre. But as always, YMMV.