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Post by spiderwort on Sept 30, 2019 22:54:24 GMT
What are some of your favorite films about spies and spying - in war or out? And why do you like them?
I'll start with a few of my favorites.
The Spy Who Came in From the Cold (1965) - for me, one of the best films about espionage in the Cold War, based upon John LeCarre's novel. Love Richard Burton's performance and Martin Ritt's direction.
Foreign Correspondent (1940) - a Hitchcock film about a news reporter played by Joel MacRae caught up in the world of Nazi spies in Europe, made before America was in World War II. Very entertaining and suspense filled, but it also captures the reality of what Europe was enduring at that time, especially in the powerful final scene.
Saboteur (1942) - another Hitchcock favorite in which Robert Cummings is pursued by and pursues spies in America after the U.S. is in the war. It has one of the most suspense-filled and cinematically brilliant endings of any Hitchcock film.
I'll stop with those for now.
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Post by therealcomicman117 on Sept 30, 2019 23:15:03 GMT
North By Northwest - Classic. Missing identity flicks and Hitchcock movies don't get much better then this. That cropduster sequence and the climax involving Mount Rushmore are still thrilling to this day.
From Russia With Love - My favorite Bond film (close runner-up would be Casino Royale), compared to a lot of the rest of the series, it plays more like a classical spy-thriller, just with some Bond gadgets thrown in for good measures.
The Ipcress File - Michael Caine is perfect as the anti-Bond, in the first and best of his three outings as Harry Palmer. Super stylish too, and that John Barry main theme with Harpsichord is great.
Three Days of The Condor - Sidney Pollack made some snazzy thrillers back in his day, this included.
Eye of The Needle - Underrated WWII set British thriller. Donald Sutherland is terrific, and the movie continuously manages to surprise at every turn. It should be noted that it was because of this film that Richard Marquand got the job of directing Return of The Jedi, but it shouldn't take away from its quality, regardless.
True Lies - One of Arnold's best. A thrilling entertaining flick with some of the best practical action sequences ever made. That climatic car chase action sequence might just be unparalleled as far as big-budgeted studio flicks of the 90s go. Oh, and it's super quotable too. "I picked them."
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery - Probably the best spy comedy alongside well, Spy. A great Bond parody, compared to its later sequels, it's a lot more nuanced, and relies far less on potty humor, and repeating jokes. "I had the group LIQUIDATED, you little shit! They were insolent!"
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Post by pacinoyes on Sept 30, 2019 23:19:36 GMT
I'm a big fan of Breach with a knockout performance by Chris Cooper ....gripping film.
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Post by countjohn on Oct 1, 2019 0:23:56 GMT
Dr. No, From Russia With Love, and On Her Majesty's Secret Service
Torn Curtain and Topaz
Z
The Kremlin Letter (one of the most depressing movies I've ever seen, for fair warning, a case study in cruelty. But a great ending)
The Odessa File
Three Days of the Condor
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Post by Tommen_Saperstein on Oct 1, 2019 3:55:28 GMT
No list would be complete without Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.
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Post by jimmalone on Oct 1, 2019 13:29:48 GMT
Love that genre.
Someones not already mentioned:
Charade
Mirage
The Deadly Affair
Munich
Argo
Bridge of Spies
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cherry68
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Post by cherry68 on Oct 1, 2019 14:27:22 GMT
Il generale Della Rovere.
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cherry68
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Post by cherry68 on Oct 1, 2019 14:51:45 GMT
Il generale Della Rovere.
Am not familiar with with one, cherry, but with Rossellini directing and De Sica starring - oh, man. I'd love to see it. Thanks for the introduction.
I personally find it's the best acting performance by Vittorio DeSica.  |
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Post by stephen on Oct 1, 2019 15:00:22 GMT
No list would be complete without Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. Both versions. |
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Post by TerryMontana on Oct 1, 2019 15:13:56 GMT
Not yet mentioned: Spy Game, the 39 Steps and the Lives of Others. Yeah, not exactly a spy movie but still a great one.
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demille
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Post by demille on Oct 3, 2019 11:26:55 GMT
Hitch's Notorious, an unconventional spy film.
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Film Socialism
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Post by Film Socialism on Oct 3, 2019 11:59:09 GMT
part 3 of La flor
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demille
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Post by demille on Oct 3, 2019 13:45:33 GMT
Hitch's Notorious, an unconventional spy film. My favorite Hitchock film, so beautifully made, and a film in which the McGuffin is really in the service of human frailty and need, unlike any other film he ever made. And the chemistry between Grant and Bergman is amazing. The long kissing scene from the patio to the door - Hitchock's way of getting around the censors at the time - is one of the most erotic things I've ever scene. A beautiful and brilliant film, one of those I can't NOT watch, if it shows up on tv. I agree, it's so beautifully made, and that scene you described is very erotic. I love the film's final scene on the staircase, when Sebastian's world totally unravels; and the film's final shot, after Devlin locks the car door on Sebastian, is very disturbing and chilling. The final shot is a stunning image. |
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vinnyt
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Post by vinnyt on Oct 7, 2019 16:09:55 GMT
Can we count The Snake Pit? It's not espionage in the classic sense, but she does go undercover in a woman's mental institution in the 1940's. It's more of a drama about mental illness but it's based on a true story. Unfortunately it does suffer from going on one scene too long.
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Post by spiderwort on Oct 7, 2019 16:26:56 GMT
Can we count The Snake Pit? It's not espionage in the classic sense, but she does go undercover in a woman's mental institution in the 1940's. It's more of a drama about mental illness but it's based on a true story. Unfortunately it does suffer from going on one scene too long.
Haven't seen this one in a very long time, and to be honest I don't remember the undercover aspect that you are referring, too - not to say it isn't there; just that I don't remember. What I do remember is that Olivia De Havilland's performance was amazing and appropriately recognized with an Oscar nomination. And I also remember that there was a lot of terror and pain in it.
But I'll keep an eye out and next time it shows up on TCM I'll be sure to watch it. You've got me quite intrigued now about that undercover plot-line. Thanks for that. |
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vinnyt
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Post by vinnyt on Oct 7, 2019 16:41:29 GMT
...Ok wait that was a brain fart. The STORY the film is based on was written by someone who went undercover in an institution. The FILM is about a woman getting admitted and normally. Sorry. Ignore me.
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Post by spiderwort on Oct 7, 2019 17:27:39 GMT
...Ok wait that was a brain fart. The STORY the film is based on was written by someone who went undercover in an institution. The FILM is about a woman getting admitted and normally. Sorry. Ignore me. Heck no, I'm not going to ignore you. You reminded me of a wonderful classic film that I haven't seen in ages and need to see again. I thank you for that reminder (and for being willing to post here in the first place; please stick around). |
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Post by Longtallsally on Oct 8, 2019 6:52:19 GMT
The Hunt for Red October (1990)
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