Movie Night - The Spy Who Came in From the Cold

Richard Burton and Claire Bloom in
"The Spy Who Came in From the Cold"

Recently, I indulged in an early James Bond movie marathon and re-watched the first three films of the series (Dr. No, From Russia with Love and Goldfinger) and it got me wanting to watch more of the great classic spy movies.  As a kid, I used to watch the James Bond movies, mostly because they were on TV about once every month or two.  When VCR's and then DVD's became the "home theater" options later on (yeah, I'm that old), I watched more movies in the spy genre and really grew to love the intrigue, suspense and action that were combined in a good spy movie.

Last night, the Lady of the Manor and I sat down and watched the 1965 film The Spy Who Came in From the Cold.  Directed by Martin Ritt and starring Richard Burton, the film is based on the book of the same name by John le Carré.

Richard Burton plays Alec Leamas, head of British espionage operations in West Germany during the late 50's and early '60's.  The film opens with Leamas waiting for an East German defector to make it across the line separating East from West Germany.  When things go wrong, Leamas' handlers recall him to London and give him a new operation, which will require Leamas to publicly fall from grace and burrow deep down into the enemy East German spy world.

This is a film that requires your attention while you are watching it.  It's very cerebral with twists and turns, crosses and double crosses and much, much more.

Check it out. (WP), (AMG), (IMDB)

(This film's links will be catalogued in the "Movies" sidebar links)