An outstanding effort all around...acting, writing, directing, editing, and especially filming. The story (British scientists are being kidnapped and brainwashed) is very topical for the period (height of the Cold War). Michael Caine delivers one of his two best performances (also "Alfie"), and really humanizes Harry Palmer, a mildly crooked guy with a real tough streak who's caught in the middle of an ugly, no-win situation. Nigel Green is also outstanding. The other star of the film is the camera team, who manage to make all the tricky angles work rather than detract from the story. The scene with the Land Rover is one of my all-time favorites. A final touch is the clever spin on British Intelligence, which makes espionage look like a nine-to-five stint, and leaves out the James Bond gadgets and preposterously named sex bombs Bond cavorts with. (Palmer has to sign a chit to get a pistol, and chip in for the office coffee.)
This is one of my all-time favorite films, and is an terrific example of real craft in filmmaking. A definite 10.
This is one of my all-time favorite films, and is an terrific example of real craft in filmmaking. A definite 10.