The Deadly Affair (1966)

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Director:

Sidney Lumet

Writers:

John le Carré (novel)
Paul Dehn (screenplay)

Release Date:

October 1966 (UK)

Genre:

Thriller | Drama

Plot:

A British agent sets out to uncover the hidden facts behind a British government employee's suicide. |

Plot Keywords:

Spy | Based On Novel | Independent Film

Awards:

Nominated for 5 BAFTA Film Awards.

Cast

James Mason	...	Charles Dobbs
Simone Signoret	...	Elsa Fennan
Maximilian Schell	...	Dieter Frey
Harriet Andersson	...	Ann Dobbs
Harry Andrews	...	Insp. Mendel
Kenneth Haigh	...	Bill Appleby
Roy Kinnear	...	Adam Scarr
Max Adrian	...	Adviser (Marlene Dietrich)
Lynn Redgrave	...	Virgin (in "Edward II")
Robert Flemyng	...	Samuel Fennan
Leslie Sands	...	Inspector
Corin Redgrave	...	David

Runtime:

115 min | USA:107 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Norway:16 | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | UK:15

Filming Locations:

Balloon Tavern, Chelsea, London, England, UK

Company:

Sidney Lumet Film Productions

Trivia:

Candice Bergen was first choice as James Mason's unfaithful wife.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Out of It (1969)

Gloomy but sophisticated cold-war thriller

As with all 1960's films, time hasn't been kind to this clever slant on the cold-war theme. However, one can imagine that at the time of its release, the film's stylish direction, cool bossa nova soundtrack and unusual filming technique was very "in vogue". Unfortunately, the then unrelenting interest in James Bond and Harry Palmer has meant that The Deadly Affair is one of these little known, understated thrillers that are shown late at night on satellite TV. The film's gloominess is intentional - the film having been deliberately exposed briefly to make the colour appear dull. You could say that this reflects the frustration and despondence of the main character, Dobbs. James Mason, who always seems to be cast as the down-trodden tragi-hero, plays Dobbs with consummate ease. He is supported by a long list of familiar faces including Harry Andrews as an unassuming retired policemen. The best part of the film for me is when Fannen is tailed by Mendel during a lengthy chase on foot through London. An elongated version of Quincy Jones' theme tune provides the right level of excitement to what would initially be quite a staid scene.