Review of The Quiller Memorandum (1966) by Kevin C — 16 Jan 2010

Adam Hall created the spy known as Quiller, writing several books in the first person using his hero. There seems to be some doubt about who is actually responsible for this work, although it is beyond dispute that the excellent Harold Pinter wrote the screenplay.

On paper, this downbeat mid-sixties Cold War thriller should not have worked; but Pinter's incisive script, combined with a surprisngly good performance from George Segal in a lead that looked a piece of mis-casting beforehand, triumphs.

Throughout, Segal, sent to investigate the deaths of two Intelligence operatives in volatile Berlin, acts as if on Valium: lethargic, laconic, resigned,the perfect poker-faced and battered spy. However, there is a strong hint he is deliberating his next move at every corner.

Supported by Max von Sydow, Alec Guinness and Senta Berger, the film deviates from the normal spy story in that there is no tidy ending. Undated, as most well made period pieces are, my rating might not do this justice.

Fans of this genre are missing out if they fail to watch it.