#452: RITT, Martin: The Spy Who Came In From The Cold (1965)

RITT, Martin (United States)
The Spy Who Came In From The Cold [1965]
Spine #452
DVD


John le Carré's acclaimed best-selling novel about a cold-war spy on one final, dangerous mission is every bit as precise and ruthless on-screen in this adaptation directed by Martin Ritt. Richard Burton delivers one of his career-defining performances as Alec Leamas, whose hesitant but deeply felt relationship with a beautiful librarian (Claire Bloom) puts what he hopes will be his last assignment, in East Germany, in jeopardy. The Spy Who Came in from the Cold is a hard-edged and finally tragic thriller, suffused with the political and social consciousness that defined Ritt's career.

112 minutes
Black & White
Stereo
1:85:1 aspect ratio
Criterion Release 2008
Director/Writers


Based on the novel The Spy Who Came in From the Cold by John Le Carré.
Screenplay by Paul Dehn and Guy Trosper.
Martin Ritt was 51 when he directed The Spy Who Came in From the Cold.

The Film

Film Rating (0-60):

60

The Extras

The Booklet

Sixteen-page booklet featuring an essay by critic Michael Sragow.

Commentary

Selected-scene commentary featuring DP Oswald Morris.

Video interview

With author le Carré.

The Secret Centre: John le Carré (2000)

A BBC documentary on the author’s extraordinary life and work.

Interview

From 1967 with Richard Burton from the BBC series Acting in the 60’s, conducted by film critic Kenneth Tynan.

Audio conversation

From 1985 between director Ritt and film historian Patrick McGilligan.

Gallery

Of set designs.

Extras Rating (0-40):

39

60 + 39 =

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