68 replies to this topic

[spynovelfan]

I wouldn't call it a favorite, but I just finished watching a really intriguing spy thriller entitled, "THE QUILLER MEMORANDUM" on TCM (I'd never even heard of it!)

Released in 1966, it starred George Segal, Alec Guiness and Max Von Sydow.  It was shot on location in West Berlin with studio work done at Pinewood. 

But the most fascinating thing about the film is the soundtrack, which was done by none other than John Barry.  Besides having the feel of the early Bond scores, it has some of the EXACT SAME MUSICAL SCORE used in "The Living Daylights" when Bond is shadowing Kara in Bratislava. 

I couldn't believe it -- THE SAME NOTE BY NOTE (I figure he lifted it because it captures that "trapped behind the Iron Curtain" feeling so well).

Anyway, I'm new to the forum. I've been reading it for a while and finally had something I thought was worth contributing.

Wow! That's very interesting stuff. Is this known about?

I'm a huge Quiller fan, by the way. The film, while it has some very good stuff in it, is pretty dissatisfying if you've read the books. Quiller's British, for starters! There are 19 novels in the series - if you're interested check this out:

www.quiller.net

MGM bought an option on the whole series a few years back - not sure what the situation is now.

[Loomis]

The other two films I would like to suggest may be argued as not truly spy films, but I think they contain elements of realistic espionage and the effects it can have on people.  They were made around the same time.

The Conversation - Coppola's 1974 film dealing with the increasing paranoia of a surveillance expert as he uncovers a murder plot.

All the President's Men - Pakula's 1976 documentary style film about the Watergate scandal. I would suggest this contains enough political intrigue to qualify as a spy film.

Could THE PARALLAX VIEW be considered a spy film? Anyway, I saw it a long time ago and remember thinking it was pretty good. And, while this is not a spy film in any way, shape or form, I recommend NIGHT MOVES if you like the likes of THE CONVERSATION.

And Hitchcock's THE 39 STEPS is superb.

[Captain Grimes]

The Russia House truly is one of the greats, in my opinion. My favorite non-Bond Connery performance. I love Fred Schepisi's movies (has anyone else seen Last Orders?) and the score by Branford Marsalis (the good Marsalis!) adds a nice touch.

[ACE]

The Russia House truly is one of the greats, in my opinion. My favorite non-Bond Connery performance. I love Fred Schepisi's movies (has anyone else seen Last Orders?) and the score by Branford Marsalis (the good Marsalis!) adds a nice touch.

I love The Russia House. A wonderful Connery performance (acting at last!), a delicious Michelle Pfeiffer, classic Le Carre themes. The film looks beautiful. The score by the way, features Marsalis but is by Jerry Goldsmith and is one of his finer works.

I loved Last Orders (the book too, Graham Swift is one of my favourites!) and the cast was terrific.

[Captain Grimes]

Yes, Ace, thanks for the correction on the score. How could I, a Star Trek fan, forget Jerry Goldsmith?!

I'll have to check out the Last Orders book. Michael Caine's performance in the film is brilliant. I wish EON could find a place for him in a Bond movie. I'm not sure where... as a villain, maybe? A future M?

[Stephen Spotswood]

When are they going to make a movie version of "Lancelot Link, Secret Chimp?" I'm probably still trying to recover from watching that Saturday morning show with an all chimpanzee cast. The hero wore a trench coat and slouched hat, and his girlfriend wore evening gowns, necklaces, and long blond hair. In the dialogue scenes, they all looked like they were chewing gum. Maybe Eon could make those on alternate years from the James Bond films.

At the very least the chimps could out act Halle Berry and Pierce Brosnan.

Maybe Michael Caine could play James Bond's father in flash-back scenes.

Edited by Stephen Spotswood, 10 February 2006 - 02:58 PM.

[Skudor]

At the very least the chimps could out act Halle Berry and Pierce Brosnan.

Maybe Michael Caine could play James Bond's father in flash-back scenes.

LOL

[Santa]

3 Days Of The Condor
Spy Game
Notorious
Bourne Identity
and Austin Powers, but only the first one.

Not in any order.

If we could really stretch it and count The Three Musketeers as a spy film (the seventies one with Michael York and Olly Reed) then I'd like to put that on my list too. I know they're not strictly spies, but they do have secret missions and there's a lot of sneaking around, plus it appeals to my adolescent sense of humour.

[Red Barchetta]

In no particular order

North By Northwest

The Day of The Jackal

Hunt For Red October (not really a spy film, but Ryan works for CIA, so I threw it in)

The Spy Who Came In From The Cold

The Manchurian Candidate