The Falcon and the Snowman (1985)

The true story of a disillusioned military contractor employee and his drug pusher childhood friend who became walk-in spies for the Soviet Union.

Director:

John Schlesinger

Writers:

Robert Lindsey (book), Steven Zaillian

Stars:

Timothy Hutton, Sean Penn, Pat Hingle

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Timothy Hutton	...	Christopher Boyce
Sean Penn	...	Daulton Lee
Pat Hingle	...	Mr. Charlie Boyce
Joyce Van Patten	...	Mrs. Boyce
Rob Reed	...	Boyce Child
Rob Newell	...	Boyce Child
Karen West	...	Boyce Child
Art Camacho	...	Boyce Child (as Arturo Comacho)
Annie Kozuch	...	Boyce Child
Richard Dysart	...	Dr. Lee
Priscilla Pointer	...	Mrs. Lee
Chris Makepeace	...	David Lee
Dorian Harewood	...	Gene
Mady Kaplan	...	Laurie
Macon McCalman	...	Larry Rogers

Storyline

The true story of Christopher Boyce, a young All-American man whose job as a guard for sensitive documents shatters his faith in his country and leads him to a sometimes comic, sometimes chilling sideline as a spy for the Soviets, aided by his scruffy buddy, Daulton; it can't last, though, and the consequences are tremendous for Boyce and his family.

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Plot Keywords:

political superpower | drugs | soviet union | spy | cia | 

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Taglines:

They came from the best of families. And they committed the worst of crimes. [Australia Theatrical]

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Genres:

Biography | Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

UK USA Mexico

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 February 1985 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Falcon & the Snowman

Filming Locations:

Via Segovia, Palos Verdes Estates, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$12,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$2,358,846, 27 January 1985, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$17,100,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hemdale, Estudios Churubusco Azteca S.A.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

131 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

It took director John Schlesinger nearly four years to get this movie made.

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Goofs

During the border crossing, a 1978-80 Buick Regal coupe is seen although the film took place between 1974-1977. Numerous early 1980s automobiles are seen in Mexico City.

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Quotes

[to his politically conservative father, while watching the Watergate hearings]
Christopher Boyce: Can't you admit that just once, I was right about something?

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Connections

References Midnight Express (1978)

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Soundtracks

Midnight at the Oasis
Written by David Nichtern
Performed by Maria Muldaur
Courtesy of Warner Bros. Records Inc.
By Arrangement with Warner Special Products

User Reviews

The secret lives of the former altar boys

John Schelesinger's career as a film director was extraordinary. We had watched this film when it first came out, but wanted to see it again when it showed on cable recently. The film has a faded look, as one watches it today, but still, it is interesting because of the intense performances of the two principals.

If you haven't seen it, please don't read any further.

Chris and Daulton were two childhood friends that came from upper middle class backgrounds. Chris went to enter a seminary to be a priest, but gives up. Daulton became a small time drug user and trafficker. The two lives seem to run parallel as the pair become involved in an illegal activity that will prove their short sightedness. In fact, it shows how both young men miscalculate in their attempt to fool the CIA and the Soviet Union. These two, in a way, were so naive in thinking they could pull something that bigger, and better equipped people couldn't even imagine could be done.

Chris' motivation is legitimate, as he feels outraged in discovering the underhanded role of the agency for which he works in dealing with other nations, in this case Australia, something he finds by sheer coincidence. When he involves Daulton, we know the whole thing is doomed because no one into drugs, as he is, will ever amount to anything. In fact, Chris and Daulton had no conception of the scope of what they are trying to do, or its consequences.

Timothy Hutton was at this period of his career, an actor that was going places. He had proved he had talent with his work in other films, so it was a natural choice for Mr. Schlesinger to select him, a choice that pays off well. Sean Penn, also was a young actor who showed an intensity, like one hadn't seen before. In fact, at times, Mr. Penn, reminded us of a young Robert Mitchum in the making. Both actors' contribution to the film is incredible. One can't think who could have played this duo but them.

"The Falcon and the Snowman", while not up to the par with other great John Schlesinger's movies, is an interesting look to our not too distant past.