Hopscotch (1980)

Grounded with a desk job by incompetent superiors, a clever CIA agent retires and writes a tell all memoir that will embarrass his bosses, prompting him to go on the run and elude them.

Director:

Ronald Neame

Writers:

Brian Garfield (novel), Brian Garfield (screenplay)

Stars:

Walter Matthau, Glenda Jackson, Sam Waterston

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Walter Matthau	...	Miles Kendig / James Butler / Mr. Hannaway / Leonard Ross
Glenda Jackson	...	Isobel von Schmidt
Sam Waterston	...	Joe Cutter
Ned Beatty	...	G.P. Myerson
Herbert Lom	...	Mikhail Yaskov
David Matthau	...	Leonard Ross
George Baker	...	Parker Westlake
Ivor Roberts	...	Ludlum
Lucy Saroyan	...	Carla
Severn Darden	...	Maddox
George Pravda	...	Saint Breheret
Jacquelyn Hyde	...	Realtor
Mike Gwilym	...	Alfred P. Booker aka Alfie
Terry Beaver	...	Tobin
Ray Charleson	...	Clausen

Storyline

CIA agent Miles Kendig decides to get out of 'the game' and to ensure he's left alone he threatens to send his memoirs to the world's intelligence agencies. When the CIA doesn't believe him, he calls their bluff and starts writing and sending out chapters one by one. Realizing that their operations would be compromised, the CIA (led by Myerson and Cutter) set out to put an end to Kendig's plan by whatever means necessary. The heart of the movie follows a game of cat and mouse between a fumbling CIA and an artful Kendig.

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Plot Keywords:

espionage | male male relationship | homosexual subtext | cia | memoir | 

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Taglines:

He's about to expose the CIA, the FBI, the KGB...and himself.

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Genres:

Adventure | Comedy

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English German French Russian

Release Date:

10 October 1980 (Finland)

Also Known As:

2 sotto il divano

Filming Locations:

Marseille, France

Box Office

Budget:

$9,500,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Edie & Ely Landau Inc., A Ronald Neame Film, International Film Investors

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Film debut of Yolanda King.

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Goofs

There's a scene at Myerson's house in Savannah where Kendig is getting ready to start typing and sees a photo of Myerson. When the photo is first shown, Myerson is facing to the left of the screen, but when Kendig picks it up Myerson is facing to the right. The photograph changes several times later. In fact, each change is intentional, and is intended to show Myerson getting more frustrated and dour as the plot wears on, culminating in the picture being shot in the forehead (as explained in the introductory video on the DVD).

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Quotes

[first lines]
Kendig: Hey Yaskov, how are ya?
Yaskov: Kendig. What as unexpected pleasure.
Kendig: May I have it please?
Yaskov: Have what?
Kendig: I got it all on film, Yaskov. You don't want to deal with the West Germans, they don't like Russian Intelligence, you know that. Just give it to me, and we'll forget all about it.
Yaskov: I could make a run for it, you know.
Kendig: Come on, Yaskov. You running, me chasing? We'd look like Laurel and Hardy.

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Alternate Versions

DVD version contains both the original theatrical soundtrack and a redubbed soundtrack used for television release (replacing profanity and other objectionable dialogue).

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Connections

Featured in Sneak Previews: Hopscotch/It's My Turn/Loving Couples/The Elephant Man/Motel Hell (1980)

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Soundtracks

Un Bel di Vedremo
from Madama Butterfly by Giacomo Puccini
An original recording of Discos Columbia S.A. Spain

User Reviews

Brilliant

I doubt anyone will read this far into the reviews, but for the record I felt I had to contribute. We all of us watch many, many movies, and some of us feel motivated to review some or all of them no matter the quality. I HAD TO REVIEW THIS, despite the fact I seldom bother, for I genuinely feel it was a delight. Previous reviewers will provide the details, and for example, the first review by dbborroughs has it completely right: wholesome, intelligent fun that is so seldom achieved by more "modern" movies that seem compelled to add gratuitous violence, explosions, one-liners, etc. There are shortcomings that could be improved, of course, but in the end they don't matter. The viewer is left with a smile that didn't depend on potty jokes or shock tactics for stimulation. Brilliant. The overall work is a true gem. Enjoy!