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Amazon.co.uk Review
Originally released in 1974, The Odessa File is set in Hamburg a decade earlier. Its starting-point is the Nazi support network Odessa, and its involvement with Egyptian plans to destroy Israel. Peter Miller is a freelance journalist whose interest appears initially to be a professional one, before a personal dimension finally becomes apparent in his confrontation with SS Captain Roschmann.
Kenneth Ross adapts a well-honed screenplay from Frederick Forsyth's bestseller, and director Ronald Neame captures a typically Cold War sense of individuals and organisations playing out a scenario of political right and wrong. John Voight, long before he became a cameo star, makes a sympathetic lead, able to judge between the moral and material aspects of his profession. Mary Tamm is photogenic, if uninvolving, as his girlfriend, while Maximillian Schell is a convincing Nazi stereotype. Andrew Lloyd-Weber contributes a serviceable score, centred on the catchy "Christmas Dream" sung by Perry Como. Not a classic suspense thriller, but an enjoyable and thoughtful one.
On the DVD: the letterbox widescreen format preserves the 2.35:1 aspect ratio of the cinema release with decent if not exceptional clarity, with optional 16:9 TV enhancement. There are French, German, Italian and Spanish overdubs, and subtitles in 21 languages. Detailed filmographies for Neame, Voight and Schell are included and the theatrical trailer is to the point in a way they so rarely are these days. --Richard Whitehouse
Special Features
2.35 Wide Screen
DVD 9
English
Region 2
Mono English
Mono
DVD 9
English
Region 2
Mono English
Mono
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
29 of 32 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
What a wonderful star studded cast. I saw this film when first released - yes that was a long time ago - and the memory of it has lingered. It is superbly atmospheric, the music is outstanding, and the story enthralling. It is great to see so many famous names as they were thirty-plus years ago years ago and how well they have done in between. To the younger generation it is probably nothing more than history, but to my generation it was relevant. They do not make them like this nowadays.
If you have not seen it, then watch it.
If you have not seen it, then watch it.
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
"The Odessa File" (1974) is a British-made thriller, based on a book of the same name by Sir Frederick Forsyth (The Odessa File), that gives us a good picture of life in that macho, muscular port city of Hamburg, Germany, a decade earlier. It opens on November 22, 1963, as the assassination and death of American President John F. Kennedy come in over the radio, interrupting the playing of a catchy Christmas song: "Christmas Dream," sung by Perry Como, written by Andrew Lloyd Webber, who did the film's score. The film stars Jon Voigt, (Midnight Cowboy [DVD] [1969]) playing journalist Peter Miller, who, after finding the diary of a Holocaust survivor who had recently committed suicide, begins following the trail of an SS officer who commanded a concentration camp during World War II. Miller soon finds himself involved with an organization of former SS members called Odessa, as well as with the Israeli secret service, as the Odessa is apparently helping Egypt to build weapons that they hope will destroy Israel. Further probing reveals a link between the officer, Odessa and Miller's own family.
The movie was directed by Ronald Neame, who was to be made a Commander of the British Empire on the 1996 Queen's List. Neame had photographed "Blithe Spirit" (1945), "This Happy Breed," (1944), and "In Which We Serve." He directed "The Poseidon Adventure," "Scrooge," "The Prime of Miss Jean Brody," "Tunes of Glory," and "The Horse's Mouth." He had three Oscar nominations, and another three wins in his career. In this film, he is good at capturing the cold war feeling of the divided Germany, the sense of wheels within wheels. Kenneth Ross has adapted a polished screen play from Forsyth's best selling novel. The film costars the forgettable Mary Tamm as Sigi, Miller's girlfriend; and Maximilian Schell (Phantom Of The Opera [1983] [DVD]) playing Eduard Roschmann, an unrepentant Nazi. Maria Schell (99 Women [DVD])plays Miller's mother, Frau Miller. Sir Derek Jacobi, (I, Claudius [Complete BBC series, uncut] [1976] [DVD];Cadfael - Complete Collection [DVD] [1994]) who has, I think, only two scenes, contributes an unforgettable portrait of Klaus Wenzer, the Odessa's favorite forger, and gets a pretty high billing for it, too. Someone surely knew that only he could play the part.
There were, of course, many fine cold war spy books written during this period, and many fine movies made of them. This is neither the best nor the worst, but the acting is good, photography and direction are fine, and it holds its own, with Voigt ably carrying it. The plot's a bit over the top, but it reflects Forsyth's approach of taking an actual situation, and then adding a "what if," to it, which you can also see in the 1973 film Day Of The Jackal [DVD] [1973] that is itself based on a Forsyth book, adapted for the screen by Kenneth Ross. If you've never seen "The Odessa File," or haven't seen it since its theatrical release, it is thoughtful and entertaining, definitely worth a look.
The movie was directed by Ronald Neame, who was to be made a Commander of the British Empire on the 1996 Queen's List. Neame had photographed "Blithe Spirit" (1945), "This Happy Breed," (1944), and "In Which We Serve." He directed "The Poseidon Adventure," "Scrooge," "The Prime of Miss Jean Brody," "Tunes of Glory," and "The Horse's Mouth." He had three Oscar nominations, and another three wins in his career. In this film, he is good at capturing the cold war feeling of the divided Germany, the sense of wheels within wheels. Kenneth Ross has adapted a polished screen play from Forsyth's best selling novel. The film costars the forgettable Mary Tamm as Sigi, Miller's girlfriend; and Maximilian Schell (Phantom Of The Opera [1983] [DVD]) playing Eduard Roschmann, an unrepentant Nazi. Maria Schell (99 Women [DVD])plays Miller's mother, Frau Miller. Sir Derek Jacobi, (I, Claudius [Complete BBC series, uncut] [1976] [DVD];Cadfael - Complete Collection [DVD] [1994]) who has, I think, only two scenes, contributes an unforgettable portrait of Klaus Wenzer, the Odessa's favorite forger, and gets a pretty high billing for it, too. Someone surely knew that only he could play the part.
There were, of course, many fine cold war spy books written during this period, and many fine movies made of them. This is neither the best nor the worst, but the acting is good, photography and direction are fine, and it holds its own, with Voigt ably carrying it. The plot's a bit over the top, but it reflects Forsyth's approach of taking an actual situation, and then adding a "what if," to it, which you can also see in the 1973 film Day Of The Jackal [DVD] [1973] that is itself based on a Forsyth book, adapted for the screen by Kenneth Ross. If you've never seen "The Odessa File," or haven't seen it since its theatrical release, it is thoughtful and entertaining, definitely worth a look.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Another great Frederick Forsyth adaption good story and as always with Forsyth impeccably researched does anyone remember the tv segment he did about identity fraud and how easy it was to become someone else? Anyway back to Odessa a very low key movie slowly gathering momentum yet never dragging on.Then there's the contrast between the cheery christmas tune Perry Como I think
and the sinister insidious goings on in the background and how innocently Jon Voight becomes embroiled with the deadly Odessa.
This is a fine 70's movie which unfairly basks in the shadow of the also brilliant Day of the Jackal,which got a dreadful remake some years back anyone remake Odessa? second thought maybe not!!!
and the sinister insidious goings on in the background and how innocently Jon Voight becomes embroiled with the deadly Odessa.
This is a fine 70's movie which unfairly basks in the shadow of the also brilliant Day of the Jackal,which got a dreadful remake some years back anyone remake Odessa? second thought maybe not!!!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A film that matches the quality of the book
The Odessa File was the first book of Frederick Forsyth that I read, many years ago when I was a teenager, and which introduced me to the author. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Avid reader
Infiltrating Odessa
The Odessa File is a gripping movie about a Journalists hunt for a former SS Officer. The film is set in 1963 and the war criminal is now living under a new identity and part of a... Read more
Published 2 months ago by j.r
The idea may still upset
Reviewing `Quiller' prompted me to remember `The Odessa File; a 1970s classic, highlighting the same competing forces at that time in Germany; the Old and the New. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Ian Hunter
Very dated and some wooden acting.
This is a great book but unfortunately I watched the dvd. Jon Voight's acting is good but some of the other acting seems a bit wooden against modern standards. Read more
Published 16 months ago by P.D.Checks
The Odess File
The actors, the cameramen and the scriptwriter are ntirely up to Frederick Forsyth's high standards. This movie is a lasting pleasure!
Joost Tengbergen.
++++
Joost Tengbergen.
++++
Published 16 months ago by J. Van Tengbergen
A great old film
Had not seen this film for ages,so decided to buy it with amazon .com.Was a treat to watch it again.delivery was quick.
Published 18 months ago by Mr. John Hughes
Watch your steps
Overlong and dull in parts. John Voigt pursues an ex-Nazi for his own purposes and to save Israel from a rocket attack. Not many thrills.
Published 22 months ago by Chris
Well-made suspense drama.
I've not read the novel on which this is based, but really enjoyed the film as a history fan with a particular interest in the 20th century. Read more
Published on 29 Mar 2010 by Guitar Heroine
brilliant
Had the Video tape off the tele but wanted this on a DVD. It's an amazing film, well worth watching for anyone who hasn't seen it.
Published on 24 Mar 2010 by K. Jacobs
Odessa
Very good film which, as far as I can remember, is very close to the book. Although quite old (witness the cars, railway scenes and clothes), it is still a gripping film with some... Read more
Published on 15 Feb 2010 by R.G.C.
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