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List Price: $9.98 | | Label: Paramount
Salesrank: 5062
Released: July 13, 2004 |
| Our Price: $4.41 |
| Used Price: $4.28 |
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MPAA Rating: Unrated
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
A cynical british spy plays cold war games with an east german spy. From the john le carre novel. Studio: Paramount Home Video Release Date: 04/11/2006 Starring: Richard Burton Oscar Werner Run time: 112 minutes Rating: Nr Director: Martin Ritt
Description of The Spy Who Came in from the Cold:
John le Carre's classic spy yarn gets a suitably brisk, unromanticized telling in this quintessential Cold War movie. A British agent (Richard Burton) sets up an elaborate cover story for being lured into defecting to the Communists, but he hardly needs to manufacture his disgust and cynicism over spying. The grim business of point-counterpoint espionage has rarely been depicted with less glamour; Burton's great climactic speech on the subject is the definitive take on sinking to the level of the enemy. Claire Bloom is an offbeat love interest, and a bearded Oskar Werner is an East German investigator on Burton's case (the pecking order in the Communist spy hierarchy is a source of black humor). Director Martin Ritt extends his unvarnished approach to the movie's stripped-down look, which means that Richard Burton is constantly in a harsh, unflattering light. He looks terrible, but it's in the service of a fine performance. --Robert Horton
The Spy Who Came in from the Cold Reviews:
The Spy Who Came in from the Boredom 
2008-12-15 - This for me was titled,the Spy Who Came in from the Boredom. This was not my kind of movie, I couldn't get into it. Too talky,dull, and I don't find Richard Burton's character interesting or appealing. I just didn't find any of the characters interesting. My favorite spy thriller is still Day of the Jackal followed by Eye of the Needle. I can recommend this to Richard Burton fans as this probably will not disappoint. Fans of spy movies may or may not get into this one depending on taste. I was really disappointed. The story was dull and slow for me. If you love this film get the Criterion DVD as the transfer is HD and there is a 2nd disc full of bonus materials. The DVD is great,the movie isnt (at least to me)
A classic film gets the Criterion treatment 
2008-12-06 - This review is for the Criterion Collection DVD edition of the film.
The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, is based on the novel of the same name by John le Carré. It is about a spy in Berlin who goes into 'forced' retirement and works in a library. He becomes a drunkard but it is later revealed his 'retirement' was only cover to become a double agent for the East Germans. He then falsely defects to East Germany so he can do one last mission.
I liked the film a lot and enjoyed the dialogue too. The Criterion edition is a two disc set with great bonus material.
Disc one contains the film with the theatrical trailer, Disc two contains audio commentary by Oswald Morris of selected scenes, a 2000 BBC special about le Carré, a gallery of set designs, and a 1985 conversation between between director Martin Ritt and film historian Patrick McGilligan.
MARTIN RITT, OPUS 11
2008-12-06 - **** 1965. Based on John Le Carré's The Spy Who Came in From the Cold and directed by Martin Ritt. Two Academy awards nominations (Richard Burton and Art Direction) and Golden Globe earned by Oskar Werner (Supporting Actor). The British Secret Intelligence service tries to frame the East Germans by sending Richard Burton, undercover, to them. Martin Ritt perfectly managed to recreate in this film the sinister and shady world of the cold war period. Berlin, London, the Netherlands and East Germany all look the same in the eyes of Richard Burton who journeys through a continent that seems wrapped up by an eternal fog. Highly recommended.
Criterion delivers again 
2008-12-02 - Having read the book and seen this movie in its earlier, original DVD release (a bargain, still, for those not wanting to shell out for this new edition), I knew what to expect in the way of story. This new transfer is, however, much more better, especially in its offering a higher-definition image with a subtler, more delineated grey scale - which is critical to the enjoyment of any well-made B&W movie. What really makes the Criterion edition so valuable are the extras included on Disk 2. First, there's a quite informative and candid interview with le Carre himself - in which he offers some revealing memories of the movie's casting, shooting, and on-set experiences as well as some criticisms of the final result. He is especially revealing about Martin Ritt, the director, an old lefty who was blacklisted during the '50s and who was perfect to handle this movie with its particularly curious selection of actors. There's also a good BBC interview with le Carre, from a few years back, which traces, with some depth, his boyhood, education, and career and shows how they have been captured and reflected in several of the movies made from his books. And there is a wonderful interview/voice-over by the cinematographer, explaining some of this film's best scenes and how they were conceived and shot. And more. Every die-hard fan of le Carre (or of Richard Burton) will likely enjoy this Criterion release; it is a serious and sincere addition to the growing collection of materials relating to and embellishing on the work of le Carre, a top-notch novelist.
Classic 60`s Cold War.Classic Burton.Classic LeCarre.
2008-11-22 - There are already many well-written reviews for this classic B&W cold war film that stars Richard Burton as a broken-down,drunken and disillusioned field operative(read SPY).One of the best espionage pictures ever made--it holds up very well,even upon multiple viewings.Based on the John LeCarre novel of the same name;this is the film responsible for introducing me to LeCarre`s novels.As excellent as the movie is-I still reommend reading the book first!
Thanks for reading!
