Review of The Spy Who Came In from the Cold (1965) by Grant S — 29 Jul 2016
Veteran British espionage agent Alec Leamas is ready to quit the espionage game and take on a desk job, to"come in out of the cold". He is given one last mission, and it's an incredibly dangerous and complex one. By posing as a disillusioned former British agent he is to be recruited by the East German secret police, in the hope of planting seeds of doubt as to the loyalty of its head. The stakes are high and the risks great.
Great cold war spy drama, based on the John le Carre novel. Slow-burning and very complex plot. The tension builds well and it becomes a great cerebral exercise. Not much action but that is not a bad thing - it's all about the subterfuge, and what subterfuge it is.
Certainly not a pro-West propaganda exercise either - both sides come away looking rather treacherous and villainous.
Solid performance by Richard Burton in the lead role. Pretty much the kind of role that suits him perfectly, i.e. that of an intense, drunk cynic.
Good support from Claire Bloom.
This review of The Spy Who Came In from the Cold (1965) was written by Grant S on 29 Jul 2016.
The Spy Who Came In from the Cold has generally received very positive reviews.
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