The Spy Who Came in From the Cold

1965 • 112 minutes

À propos de ce film

Forget James Bond for a moment and step into the real, dour and chilling world of spies and counterspies. Richard Burton was nominated for a Best Actor Academy Award for his role as the burned-out British agent who refuses to "come in from the cold" to take a desk job. Instead, he launches into the most dangerous assignment of his career, stalking East German agent (and Golden Globe winner) Oskar Werner. John Le Carre's best-selling novel provides the basis for this breathtaking thriller of espionage, intrigue, crosses and double crosses. First-rate performances from the entire cast are matched by a tension-packed and brilliantly-plotted screenplay, with masterful direction from Martin Ritt ("Hud," "Sounder").

Notes et avis

Gritty, honest and a little depressing. Perfect cold war spy film, a very sharp contrast to the more glamorous James Bond movies that began around the same time as this. Burton is perfectly cast and at his best. Prequel, I guess you'd say, to Tinker Tailor and other George Smiley stories....

Based on the novel by John Le Carre, it shines a light into the murky world of espionage. This movie is shows the mentality and methods of intelligence agencies on both sides of the "iron curtain" in pursuit of power and control of one's enemies. Definitely a must!

Burton is brilliant as always in this classic Iron Curtain thriller. I'm sure a spot-on depiction of the thankless job of the cold war spy. Powerful and haunting in every way.