The Quiller Memorandum
|
List Price: Our Price: $10.45 You Save: $9.53 (48%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $8.25 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
Movie Reviews of The Quiller Memorandum
Movie Review: Formula spy stuff but very well done
Summary: 5 Stars
Imagine two great armies in a fog. Each looking for the other's HQ.
In the middle is Quiller who must get close enough to the enemy to signal the location of their HQ but not give way the location of his.
Modern day Germany (1960's) we see a resurgence of citizens that want the country to be strong. A hand full of citizens is acting on those sentiments. Seems the British Intelligence Pol (Alec Guinness) is a little queasy. They want to identify these people apparently lead by someone called October (Max von Sydow) and nip it in the bud. To this purpose they have issued agents that are now being mysteriously dispatched. Looks like it is time to bring in Quiller (George Segal); he has his own methods of detection and is not quite as paranoid as Pol when it comes to who is in the right.
Will Quiller succeed where others have failed?
Or is it curtains for this overconfident loner?
We get to share in his triumphs and setbacks as he probes the opposing forces and in the process meets a beautiful elementary school teacher Inge Lindt (Senta Berger) whom goes from innocent to entwined.
It was a nice touch to find the Quiller could speak German and was nice enough in the film to use textbook German so we could follow the conversation with out scratching our heads.
Again it is not as much the story as the execution that gives this movie the value.
The Odessa File
Movie Review: Quintessential Paranoiac Spy Thriller
Summary: 5 Stars
THE QUILLER MEMORANDUM ranks as one of the best cold war spy films to come out of the era of the 60s. It is truly an essential film from this genre and era. The unsettling and relentless paranoia permeates this entire film. You are not always certain of the meaning of the dialogue, actions and motivations of the characters as seen from Quiller's perspective. This film leaves you on the edge of your seat for its entirety. You trust no one as the film unfolds. Michael Anderson's direction is riveting. John Barry's score is exceptionally bleak and is an antithesis to his work on the James Bond films giving THE QUILLER MEMORANDUM a very realistic and authentic feel of the people who live in this subterfuge of uncertainty and shadows. George Segal's excellent performance is one of a good natured fellow who finds himself totally befuddled as he sinks deeper into this ambiguous world but his persistence drives him to see that his job gets done to the end. Segal was a great choice for this role because he posses a very quiet charisma and creates empathy through his physical mannerisms and great facial expressions. Segal makes viewer feel like you are the one in his shoes. This is a great film.
Movie Review: Do You Know This Brand?
Summary: 5 Stars
Maybe the most subtle spy film ever made, certainly one of the most artful. You really need to pay attention to the undercurrents. Watch the very first scene. Pay attention when the same scene recurs. Everything you need to know is there. This could have been a marvelous series. (They made two Flint films and four Matt Helms and they couldn't make a second Quiller?)
The Profs on the commentary track think this is a classic example of cold war cinema. Odd, as it concerns an American agent hunting Neo-Nazis for the British in West Germany and includes not one Communist or Soviet. One of them then goes on to lampoon the scriptwriter, Harold Pinter's political views asserting that he blames the U.S. for 9-11, which as we know from the same academic's earlier pronouncement was Bill Clinton's fault. Please stick to the Man from U.N.C.L.E. and Flint references, guys -- leave the McCarthy defenses to Ann Coulter.
Movie Review: Quiller is quintessential
Summary: 5 Stars
The Quiller Memorandum is one of many spy movies from the sixties, and it is unique. For example, there is a chase, but it takes place on foot...walking. Something blows up, but it is an empty car in a garage...sitting in a garage. It is a cerebral rather than visceral film, and, though it is strictly an entertainment rather than a thought piece, it keeps you under the stress that a good, suspenseful plot does from beginning to end. Add the engaging personality of George Segal's portrayal of the iconoclastic, recalcitrant protagonist, Alec Guinness's detached spymaster depiction and the beauty of Sental Berger along with terrific scenary and dialogue that is provacative and you have a great spy film that is still great today.Movie Review: Classic 60's Spy Film
Summary: 5 Stars
The Quiller Memorandum (screenplay adaption by Harold Pinter) is actually better than the book it was based on by Adam Hall. This film, like the Ipcress File, is the benchmark for future movies of cloak and dagger intrigue. Pinter's dialog, where characters frequently ask questions the other characters do not answer, adds to the tension and mystery. John Barry's brilliant score wrenches the viewer between a desperate melancholy and present danger. If you love serious spy fare--add this one to your DVD collection.