The Odessa File [VHS]

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.

"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.

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!!!