The Little Drummer Girl

1984 • 130 minutes

About this movie

Palestinian intelligence says she's loyal to their cause. Israeli counterintelligence says she's "bright, creative, underused, romantic and a liar." Academy Award winner* Diane Keaton stars as Charlie, a repertory actress and Palestinian sympathizer who plays the role of -- and for -- her life when she's thrust onto the center stage of international espionage. Klaus Kinski and Yorgo Voyagis co-star as shrewd Israeli operatives who plot to use Charlie as bait to capture an elusive Palestinian terrorist (Sami Frey). Director George Roy Hill masterfully arranges the pieces of this cloak-and-dagger puzzle based on John le Carré's bestseller into a dazzling thriller racing full tilt through London, Munich, Athens, Jerusalem and Beirut. March to the enthralling beat of The Little Drummer Girl.

Ratings and reviews

A brilliant adaption which kept the suspense throughout. Klaus Klinski was his usual scary self but Keaton acted a bit too scatty to be plausible. She was supposed to be silly but not entirely stupid and an emotional retard. I found her the only real weakness in the cast which were otherwise brilliant. I understand that the BBC are giving this a repeat so I look forward to comparing the quality of the story telling. This is a great spy story with a daft title but don't let that put you off. Its a thriller and a killer......no mercy.