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Classic spy film based on the novel by John Le Carre. Richard Burton stars as Alec Leamas, a bitter, world-weary secret agent who is taken out of his everyday field operations after a mission goes wrong, and after a bleak spell on Civvy Street finds himself going undercover into East Germany. Subterfuge and double-crossings ensue as Leamas battles to discover the truth behind his mission.
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125 of 126 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This movie is a faithful rendition of one of the greatest novels of the twentieth century. The acting is superb, the sets are suitably austere and atmospheric and the plot is simply a work of genius. Forget all the cliches about this being the real thing compared to Bond movies etc. This is quite simply a different genre. It is a story of brutality and of hopelessness.It illustrates how the exploitation of human weakness can be used as an effective weapon of war. The Cold War is in the throes of being forgotten by all but the academics who study the era, but the manner in which it was fought is fascinating, and as evidenced in later adaptations of Le Carres work by the BBC(Smileys People and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy)it required minds of rare intelligence and deviousness. The charachter, Smiley, which is expanded upon in the BBC dramas mentioned above has only a small part to play in this movie. But it is a pivotal part because it is he who displays the ultimate ruthlessness which epitomises the Cold Warriors.
The plot in this movie concerns an attempt by British Intelligence to undermine a dangerous East German Abteilung officer by planting a defector, Leamass, played superbly by Richard Burton, into East Germany. But as the plot unfolds we begin to see the real subtlety and manipulation at play that is charachteristic of Le Carre at his stunning best. If you are interested in this era and this type of film it is obviously the classic of its kind.
One thing I find interesting about the Cold War is that it was largely fought without weapons, and yet, as perfectly illustrated in this movie, even stripped of their weapons, men still found a way to fight a war!!
I owned it on VHS and waited for along time for a region 2 compatible DVD.... Read more ›
The plot in this movie concerns an attempt by British Intelligence to undermine a dangerous East German Abteilung officer by planting a defector, Leamass, played superbly by Richard Burton, into East Germany. But as the plot unfolds we begin to see the real subtlety and manipulation at play that is charachteristic of Le Carre at his stunning best. If you are interested in this era and this type of film it is obviously the classic of its kind.
One thing I find interesting about the Cold War is that it was largely fought without weapons, and yet, as perfectly illustrated in this movie, even stripped of their weapons, men still found a way to fight a war!!
I owned it on VHS and waited for along time for a region 2 compatible DVD.... Read more ›
38 of 39 people found the following review helpful
By Darren Harrison
VINE™ VOICE
Format:DVD
Based on the novel by the acclaimed British author John Le Carre (who gave us the excellent SMILEY'S PEOPLE and the less steller CONSTANT GARDENER) this bleak look at Cold War espionage is actually compulsive viewing. I started watching the movie late one night fully expecting to stop about halfway through yet, there I was at 1 a.m. still transfixed at the unfolding drama.
Starring Richard Burton in perhaps one of his most impressive roles and co-starring Burton's one-time girlfriend the entrancing Claire Bloom, this movie is a complex, intricately woven movie that keeps one guessing. It starts in Germany and ends in Germany with stops in England and Holland inbetween. Burton plays Alec Leamas, a former head of British intelligence in Berlin who poses as a washed up agent as a means of implanting seeds of doubt about the loyalty of a communist spy in the minds of that spy's superiors. After beating up a grocer he is approached by East German intelligence and persuaded to "defect" to the East. Once there during the debriefing stage he begins to lay subtle clues in the hope that they will be picked up by the authorities, who will then p[iece together the clues and come to the conclusion that one of their star agents is a traitor. Sounds simple enough right?! Well, all is not as it seems and the real motive behind Leamas' ruse is one of those twists you don't see coming until it's too late.
Burton is ably supported by a brilliant supporting cast, from the aforementioned Bloom to Michael Horden as Ashe, a gay communist agent, Sam Wanamaker as Peters, Oskar Werner as the ambitious Fiedler and Robert Hardy as Dick Carlton to name just a few.... Read more ›
Starring Richard Burton in perhaps one of his most impressive roles and co-starring Burton's one-time girlfriend the entrancing Claire Bloom, this movie is a complex, intricately woven movie that keeps one guessing. It starts in Germany and ends in Germany with stops in England and Holland inbetween. Burton plays Alec Leamas, a former head of British intelligence in Berlin who poses as a washed up agent as a means of implanting seeds of doubt about the loyalty of a communist spy in the minds of that spy's superiors. After beating up a grocer he is approached by East German intelligence and persuaded to "defect" to the East. Once there during the debriefing stage he begins to lay subtle clues in the hope that they will be picked up by the authorities, who will then p[iece together the clues and come to the conclusion that one of their star agents is a traitor. Sounds simple enough right?! Well, all is not as it seems and the real motive behind Leamas' ruse is one of those twists you don't see coming until it's too late.
Burton is ably supported by a brilliant supporting cast, from the aforementioned Bloom to Michael Horden as Ashe, a gay communist agent, Sam Wanamaker as Peters, Oskar Werner as the ambitious Fiedler and Robert Hardy as Dick Carlton to name just a few.... Read more ›
46 of 48 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This film is a faithful adaption of the book, makes a welcome change. The two leads Burton and Bloom share a third star, that is London itself. For a feel of the greyness of London in this period, this film is tremendously evocative. It is a bleak story indeed but the two hours passes quickly, following the twists and turns but for me also following the striking filming. There is no way this should ever be in colour, it is a masterpiece and the ending, though I expected it, was as much of a shock as ever. It is a film of London when it truly was an old boy network, more so than now but also a London which was questioning and not afraid to do so. I could ramble on, but watch it. Don't expect James Bond, expect an intelligent and thought provoking story with filming that is almost art house. I kept thinking about the London of Hangover Square and Patrick Hamilton as I watched this. Unmissable.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By Coobagal
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Atmospheric; restrained and chilling. John Le Carre's plot is well treated here and Richard Burton gives an excellent performance. Unlike so many modern films, you can hear every crisp word delivered by a cast who know how to speak English.
This is a good story and the book too makes a very good read. Radio 4 also recently did an interesting adaptation with Brian Cox in the title role, for which he deserves commendation.
This is a good story and the book too makes a very good read. Radio 4 also recently did an interesting adaptation with Brian Cox in the title role, for which he deserves commendation.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Nicholas Casley
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
The opening sequence of this classic and clever 1960s Cold War spy movie is set around Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin, although clearly it is not THE Checkpoint Charlie. Nevertheless it is all very well got up to like the real thing. I'll come to this aspect later in the review.
Adapted from the John le Carre novel, `The Spy Who Came in from the Cold' tells the story of the lengths the British Secret Service will go to in order to have an East German spymaster eliminated by his own side. It's very cleverly constructed and convincingly acted, especially Burton as the bait, the disaffected spook, the spy who never wanted to come in from the cold.
In his biography of Burton, Melvyn Bragg relates how director (Martin Ritt) and star did not hit it off. Ritt deliberately wanted Burton's role to be as anonymous as possible - "no oratory, no action, no charm" - and it says a lot for both that Burton played the part beautifully. Burton was with Elizabeth Taylor at the time, which made for a tense atmosphere at times, since Burton's co-star Claire Bloom was one of his old flames. (Bragg describes Taylor on set as an emotional version of the KGB to compare with the East German secret service that Burton's character was having to battle.)
Made in the 1965 (the year of my birth), the film is a product of its time, when pubs did not cook food, when people have a bottle of wine leftover from Christmas, when milk-churns are stacked in the street, and when corner shops offered credit accounts. Talking of corner shops, it was nice to see Bernard Lee as the grocer, a bit of a comedown from his role as M in the Bond movies. Compared to Bond, this film is certainly not as glamorous; instead it portrays the nitty-gritty, down-and-dirty, everyday life of the spy.... Read more ›
Adapted from the John le Carre novel, `The Spy Who Came in from the Cold' tells the story of the lengths the British Secret Service will go to in order to have an East German spymaster eliminated by his own side. It's very cleverly constructed and convincingly acted, especially Burton as the bait, the disaffected spook, the spy who never wanted to come in from the cold.
In his biography of Burton, Melvyn Bragg relates how director (Martin Ritt) and star did not hit it off. Ritt deliberately wanted Burton's role to be as anonymous as possible - "no oratory, no action, no charm" - and it says a lot for both that Burton played the part beautifully. Burton was with Elizabeth Taylor at the time, which made for a tense atmosphere at times, since Burton's co-star Claire Bloom was one of his old flames. (Bragg describes Taylor on set as an emotional version of the KGB to compare with the East German secret service that Burton's character was having to battle.)
Made in the 1965 (the year of my birth), the film is a product of its time, when pubs did not cook food, when people have a bottle of wine leftover from Christmas, when milk-churns are stacked in the street, and when corner shops offered credit accounts. Talking of corner shops, it was nice to see Bernard Lee as the grocer, a bit of a comedown from his role as M in the Bond movies. Compared to Bond, this film is certainly not as glamorous; instead it portrays the nitty-gritty, down-and-dirty, everyday life of the spy.... Read more ›
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4.3 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
Hopeless film and not recommended.
The acting is poor and one is left wondering just what was going through the heads of these people. Hopeless plot. Time to be binned.
Published 12 days ago by Aldous MacIvor
4.0 out of 5 stars
Classic
This is a classic film- Le Carre story, a moody Richard Burton. A classic for spy-genre lovers. Delivered very promptly and in perfect state.
Published 26 days ago by Furry Ferret
5.0 out of 5 stars
A grimy monochrome antidote to Bond
It's fascinating to put this film into its context - a black and white, grimy film peeling the lid off the unsavoury world of spycraft in the chill of the Cold War, with no gloss... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mr. Stephen Kennedy
5.0 out of 5 stars
THE GREATEST SPY FILM?
From the opening tracking shot to the final scene, this film sets itself apart. The music, locations, casting, acting, direction, and the quite superbly labyrinthine plot combine... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Zachariah Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars
Burton at his best.
an old spy movie of the cold war period. Burton plays his role to his best. Although i had seen this years ago, it still drew me in to the characters. Get it and see. Read more
Published 1 month ago by William Nixon
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great thriller
We wanted to see this film once again and although it is in black and white it has not lost its ability to captivate with its air of mystery and thrills.
Published 2 months ago by C. M. Evans
5.0 out of 5 stars
Perfect
Item arrived quickly and is also Region 2/4! A great film that still holds up today - Recommended viewing and good price.
Published 4 months ago by Ian
4.0 out of 5 stars
Soldiers of the cold war
As time parts us from the reality of the cold war, the Berlin wall, the repressive system that blighted the European soil for so long, we are confronted with a system that was... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Mr. D. Beale
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Movie
Once again very happy with service, goods arrived promptly. Very good value for the price happy to recommend to everyone.
Published 5 months ago by Peter
4.0 out of 5 stars
The spy who came in from the cold
This is a classic good film to watch with Richard burton in, this was a cheap second had DVD, was very good quality as stated and a nice present.
Published 6 months ago by Mrs A Wakefield
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