Review of The Black Windmill (1974) by Naomi G — 25 Jul 2015
Michael Caine isn't Harry Palmer here but this film is better than some of that other spy's vehicles. It's taut - and after some initial exposition (spoken unnaturally by the characters) - director Don Siegel keeps the plot mechanics churning.
Caine is again working for MI6 with an unclear role but things come apart when his son is kidnapped and the culprits seem to know enough inside information to suggest a mole (although that term perhaps wasn't yet created by Le Carre who didn't write the source novel here).
Caine is emotionless or perhaps stoic and he gets the job done, although John Vernon seems to have crafted a diabolical plan to entrap him. Even spymaster Donald Pleasance is fooled. Don't look here for deeper meanings or even the musty bureaucratic cloak and dagger dealings of Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy - instead this is a no frills British action film with well-oiled gears courtesy of American Siegel.
This review of The Black Windmill (1974) was written by Naomi G on 25 Jul 2015.
The Black Windmill has generally received mixed reviews.
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