Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Michael Caine | ... | Philip Kimberley / Sergei Kuzminsky | |
Laurence Olivier | ... | Adm. Sir Gerald Scaith | |
Susan George | ... | Penelope Kimberley / Annabelle Kimberley | |
Robert Powell | ... | Jamie Fraser | |
Charles Gray | ... | Sir James Chorley | |
![]() |
Morteza Kazerouni | ... | Boris Medvachian |
Michael Medwin | ... | Milroy | |
![]() |
Eric Sevareid | ... | Himself |
Sabine Sun | ... | Dr. Zilenka | |
David Kelly | ... | Cameron | |
![]() |
Patrick Dawson | ... | Ginger |
Vladek Sheybal | ... | Gen. Zorin | |
Peter Burton | ... | Douglas Ransom | |
![]() |
Maggie Rennie | ... | Mrs. Ransom |
![]() |
Richard Aylen | ... | Older Kimberley |
Philip Kimberly, the former head of the British Secret Service who defected to Russia, is given plastic surgery and sent back to Britain by the K.G.B. to retrieve some vital documents. With the documents in hand, he instead plays off MI6 and the K.G.B. against each other. Written by Alexander Lum
Made after some of the best spy drama movies, including the TV adaptation of Le Carre's Smiley's People, you have to wonder how they got it so wrong. And with Michael Caine, Olivier and Charles Gray! And with the director of the grittiest early Bond movies! It was totally ridiculous as a story and as a film, but also hugely endearing to a Brit who has lived in Asia for over 25 years. I got the same pleasure watching this as I did in seeing the sets wobble in "The Builders" episode of Fawlty Towers. The whole thing wobbled, especially the acting. Oliver's mention of the leather chair to Michael Medwin was the only finely delivered line.