Review of Torn Curtain (1966) by Luke J — 13 Jan 2009

To be clear, this movie will most likely not appeal to anyone but Hitchcock fans. Both Paul Newman and Julie Andrews are horribly miscast. Its a shame that Hitch was pressured to use them. The chemistry, if you can even call it that, between the two is nonexistent.

This being said, most everything else in the picture works. The character, Gromek, is a prime example of a memorable Hitchcockian villian, played with relish by Wolfgang Kieling. Among the most memorable scenes, as many Hitchcock scholars have pointed out over the years, plays out when Gromek must be dispatched while a cab driver waits just yards away.

Two other excellent scenes include a tense bus ride as well as a battle of wits between Armstrong and Lindt with time ticking away... Hitchcocks double entendre, tongue-in-cheek wit is on display throughout (though not always to the greatest effect); however, on where is it more evident than by putting the snow white Julie Andrews in the sack with Paul Newman in the first five minutes of the movie.

If you can look past the chemistry of the two leads, there is quite a lot to admire in this latter Hitchcock feature; it doesnt all add up to a hit, but theres enough to inspire respect at the touch of a master.