The Russians Are Coming the Russians Are Coming (1966) User Reviews

Human Spirit Overreaches Ideological Boundaries

[mdm-11 · 8/10 · 3 October 2004]

A Cold War "comedy" delivers lots of laughs, but also much to think about. Knowing what we know now (years after the fall of Communism), the story seems to foreshadow a brighter future for humankind. Carl Reiner's Masterpiece!

A small New England island town is visited by the crew of a Russian submarine. The submarine has run adrift, and is stuck. The townspeople, through a series of misunderstandings, quickly perpetuate ever-increasing rumors about a Russian paratrouper invasion. Although the town is in a complete panic, the focus on a few characters and their interactions with the "alien enemies" reveals a more human side of the global East/West conflict. The final scenes are a heartwarming testimony to the triumph of the human spirit. A wonderful "Sunday afternoon" family film

Cold War Paranoia

[bkoganbing · 7/10 · 5 September 2013]

How well I remember seeing The Russians Are Coming The Russians Are Coming way back in theater and enjoying this wonderful satire on Cold War paranoia. Norman Jewison put together a great cast of scene stealing players and it's great to see these guys try to top each other.

A Russian submarine keeping an eye on our naval movements off the American shore runs aground on the shore of eastern Long Island which is quite like it was in 1966, sparsely populated with small towns. Non speaking English Captain Theodore Bikel sends Lieutenant Alan Arkin ashore with some men including young seaman John Philip Law without any real instructions.

People spot these Russian speaking sailors and the panic starts. Arkin arrives at the house of Carl Reiner who is a composer with wife Eva Marie Saint and son Sheldon Collins and niece Andrea Dromm. Law makes his own separate peace with Dromm. Nice piece it is too.

Arkin and Reiner are great together, Arkin with his fractured English and Reiner trying to both be civilized and live up to his son's expectations of killing the dirty Reds who've invaded.

When word gets out Brian Keith as sheriff and deputy Jonathan Winters have to compete with Paul Ford at his blusteriest who is ready to form a militia on the spot. What an advertisement for Second Amendment absolutists.

Lots of funny stuff involving these Russians stuck in a place they've been taught to fear as enemies and the Americans who've been cut off in this remote part of Long Island who are paranoid over an invasion. Let's say a humanitarian situation brings this part of the Cold War to a complete thaw.

But I will say that I doubt in those days there was a Soviet equivalent. Is there a film out there called The Yankees Are Coming The Yankees Are Coming.

This is still a very funny film.

The Critics were Wrong Again

[gatebanger · 8/10 · 24 March 2001]

This is a funny movie! Arkin, in his first starring role, was particularly good. I enjoyed the accent and the mangled English. Also, the photography was first-rate.

I sat through this film twice when it was in the theaters the first time around, and have seen it on TV every ten years or so.

Some of the critics say it's overrated. Fine. Maybe it's just me, but I *still* think it's funny.

If you're looking for a pleasant movie the kids can watch, this is a good one.

great movie

[Ajtlawyer · 4 April 2002]

This is one of the better 1960s comedies and the acting is first-rate. Alan Arkin as the Soviet Navy officer and Brian Keith as the police chief got deserved Oscar nominations. This was one of Jonathan Winters' first movies and he steals every scene he's in. Carl Reiner is excellent as "Whittaker Walt", the musical comedy writer who is the only sensible person on the island. One part of the movie that stands out for me is how well Theodore Bikel and Arkin are able to speak Russian which they do flawlessly although I doubt either of them grew up speaking Russian. And the girl who plays Allison? Zowie!

The ending of the movie always gets me choked up. . .Rent it and enjoy.

ARKIN'S DEBUT AND 1ST Oscar NOM.!

[shepardjessica-1 · 6/10 · 26 October 2004]

This amusing Cold War comedy resembles IT'S A MAD, MAD WORLD but not quite as frantic. Nominated for Best Picture, it includes a wonderful performance by Alan Arkin that is well-deserved. He's the sanest one in the film. Carl Reiner is the typical American Dad: harried and always in charge..he thinks.

Jonathan Winters is exceptional as always and there's a host of splendid characters actors in mayhem most of the time.

A 6 out of 10. Best performance = Mr. Arkin. Early performance by John Phillip Law from BARBARELLA (whatever happened to this guy?) and Brian Keith (great actor) has great comic timing. One of the last "innocent" comedies before film styles changed the following year. Worth a look!

Good idea displaced by lame humor

[demented_peruvian · 6/10 · 2 July 2023]

"The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming" was a timely Cold War paranoia tale that now works best in the scenes where russian and american characters interacting. The humanity, mutual fear, and appreciation lead to some fun and insightful moments. Alan Arkin is particularly effective.

Stretching this out are scenes of townspeople interacting with each other and setting off hysteria over the smallest thing, irrationally and too impulsively after merely an incomplete sentence, even as little as someone's first three words. Conceptually it is funny and still relevant to current events. In practice it only gets the occasional laugh as it mostly goes for cheap clowning around in generic campy 60s comedy. All the usual country hicks and eccentric senior citizens. The 60s produced some of the funniest comedies ever, that still produce laughs from the new generations. It also produced many lazy ones with childish material that would barely get a chuckle at a toddler's playdate. This Oscar nominated movie often veers towards the latter humor.

When I was ready to give up, however, "The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming" was saved by its final act, taking unexpected turns.

A fun and bemusing story of a Russian sub which accidentally runs aground off the New England coast

[ma-cortes · 7/10 · 13 July 2021]

This funny film based on the comic novel ¨The Off-Islanders¨ by Nathaniel Benchley deals with a Russian submarine runs aground off Nantucket Island and then things go wacky, as the garrulous townspeople go gaga , not knowing what to do first , get guns or vodka , building a mountain of laughter . As the residents falsely think that the nine-man crew is the start of a Soviet invasion , though they are only looking for help . It is in the Russians' panic which the fun chiefly lies. Don't You Just Hate People Who Drop In Unexpectedly? . It's A Plot!... to make the world die laughing!!

A gem of comedy with laughs , thrills , emotion , messes , lots of face-twitching , grunting , entertainment and amusement . Concerning an accident of a Russian sub, then a memorable set of crazy happenings follows the landing , enginereed by the imaginative inhabitants and a town full of overactive assumptions. Splendid and attractive cast delivers a solid comedy , but silly at times , about cultures clash. Seldom a hilarious jigsaw had so many perfectly fitting pieces . Cued by engaging and sympathetic portrayals from a motley main and support cast , such as : Carl Reiner as the sulking father , Eva Maria Saint as the kind mother , Thedore Bikel as the stiff-upper-life sub commandant , Brian Keith as town sheriff , Jonathan Winters as deputy , Paul Ford as gun-ho veteran , John Philip Law as naive young Russian , Alan Arkin as out-of-his-depth Russian sailor, among others .

It contains a lively and moving musical score by Johnny Mandel. As well as appropriate and colorful cinematography by Joseph H. Biroc. The motion picture was well produced and directed by Norman Jewison . He is a prestigious and veteran filmmaker, his greatest film is of course Jesus Christ Superstar . He directed successful movies as Fiddler on the roof , Agnes of God , Moonstruck , Thomas Crown and Cinncinati Kid . However , he also got some flops as Bogus, In country , Only you and Other's people money and his last picture titled The statement . He considers The Hurricane (1999) the last in a trilogy of racial bigotry movies he's realized, the first two being In the Heat of the Night (1967) and A Soldier's Story (1984). Rating : 7/10 . Good, worthwhile seeing for its amusing moments and great comical actors . You will find many extraordinarily enjoyable moments in this charming comedy .

Spasibo, Gospodin Jewison...vy khoroshiy kinorezhissyor! (English translation: Thank you, Mr. Jewison...you're a great director!)

[lee_eisenberg · 10/10 · 20 June 2005]

It looks like the Cold War just froze! When a Soviet submarine gets lost at sea, they dock and realize that they've landed on American soil. Not sure what to do, they go to the Whittakers, a family on vacation. Of course, as soon as the Whittakers realize that these strangers are Russians, the Russians have to take them hostage. Commanding officer Lt. Rozanov (Alan Arkin) orders his men to venture into town, looking for a way out. But, once even the tiniest unverifiable report gets out that the Russians have "invaded", the townspeople just flip.

What was especially funny about "The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming" was the way that every time someone spread the news that the Soviet Union was "taking over", the story got mangled, getting blown out of proportion every time! Alan Arkin does a great job as Rozanov (I can't believe that he still hasn't won an Oscar after all these years), along with great performances by Carl Reiner and Eva Marie Saint as Walt and Elspeth Whittaker (listen to what Rozanov does with Walt's name), and Jonathan Winters as a cop (uh-oh). It's a full-scale laugh riot from beginning to end.

yelly comedy

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 11 June 2016]

A Russian submarine gets stuck on a sandbar after getting too close to Gloucester Island, Massachusetts. Lieutenant Rozanov (Alan Arkin) leads a group to find a motor boat to pull the submarine back out into the ocean. New Yorker musical playwright Walt Whittaker (Carl Reiner) and his family had rented a house and are the first to encounter the Russians. As rumors spread, fear and chaos ensue. Police Chief Link Mattocks (Brian Keith) tries to keep calm despite his bumbling deputy Norman Jonas (Jonathan Winters). To make matters worst, old-timer Fendall Hawkins organizes a riled-up militia.

It's a lot of people yelling and talking over each other. It's a lot of misunderstandings and not-listening. It adds up to a mad-cap comedy of mostly annoying people. This era of comedy is not always that funny to me. It's half-funny and half-frustrating. There are very few appealing characters but there is some idiotic fun.

A Russian Riot

[howdymax · 10/10 · 9 March 2003]

I rarely rate a movie 10/10, but this is a welcome exception. It is, without doubt, Alan Arkin's finest hour.

The story line is a laugh riot in it's own right. A Russian sub accidentally grounds on an island off New England. A squad of Russians, led by Alan Arkin, are sent ashore to secure a power boat to help free the sub. It all goes flooey and the laugh riot begins. I did think the ending was sappy, but honestly I couldn't think of one more appropriate, so I had to give them a pass.

The cast, in general, is first rate, but the casting of Alan Arkin in the lead role is inspired. He is absolutely hilarious as things spiral out of his control. "Soon there will be World War III and everybody is blaming YOU!" You will recognize some of the faces. Carl Reiner as the self-important New York writer, Brian Keith as the Town Constable, Jonathon Winters as his befuddled deputy, Ben Blue as the town drunk, and Paul Ford as a pompous retired military type. The only flaw was the casting of John Philip Law. He is an engaging actor, but his portrayal of the sensitive Russian sailor just didn't make the grade.

Usually, in a comedy this frantic, the characters tend to get lost in the slapstick. Not so in this case. Each of the characters are fleshed out to the point that you really think you know what they are thinking.

I don't know why I'm writing this review. For those of you who have seen it - no review is necessary. For those of you who haven't - there is no excuse.

Comedy and Hysteria During the Cold War

[Uriah43 · 6/10 · 13 October 2018]

As the local sheriff of a small town on an island off the coast of Massachusetts, "Link Mattocks" (Brian Keith) is about as level-headed as they come. So when he is informed by one of the local residents that the Russians have suddenly and without provocation invaded his unimportant island town he simply laughs it off. However, when the crazy idea begins to spread among the local town folk like wild fire he decides to at least go through the motions and investigate for no other reason than to prove everybody wrong. What he isn't prepared for, however, is the fact that a Soviet submarine has indeed beached itself on the other side of the island and a large squad of uniformed sailors have come ashore with the intention of acquiring the means to dislodge their boat by any means necessary. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that this film was the product of an era during which the United States and the Soviet Union were bitter rivals and locked in an ideological struggle which contained the possibility of war between these two powers at a moment's notice. And it's the related hysteria which makes the humor possible. To that effect, because it focuses on a specific historical period, this film is also quite dated and those who were not alive during this particular moment of time might not appreciate some of the nuances. But it's a decent enough comedy all the same and I have rated it accordingly. Slightly above average.

A great film with so many bright spots

[lordjim13 · 10/10 · 1 December 2002]

I have such fond memories of this film, but it was refreshing that when I saw it again last year on TV (with subtitles for the Russian!) I could easily remember why I loved it, and still do. It's just fun, and funny, and it has a rather obvious and simple point to make, too. Alan Arkin is brilliant, and the cast as a whole is full of good people, and it's the little things that make the movie great--which is why even with the long running time it doesn't drag. There are so many fun characters, and a crazy plot. You just have to get caught up in it, and it'll win you over. Check out the quotes page for a sampling of the style--so many highlights! Even when it reaches that tense climax, the scene works despite the silliness of the rest of the film. It may not be to everyone's tastes, most notably any snobby critics out there, but I think it's brilliant entertainment and a hilarious film.

The rare occasion where the screenplay is better than the book

[jsparacino · 7/10 · 18 November 2007]

The original book "The Off Islanders" is pretty lame. The story reads like a "MASH" sequel book; I had hoped that it would be more like "Rally Round the Flag, Boys"; but it was rather dull. The screen writers had a chance to make it more entertaining and Alan Arkin as Rozanov and his conversations with "Whitaker Walt" are a scream. The island regulars including Brian Keith and Jonathan Winters are also a real hoot. There are precious few people on Martha's Vineyard speaking in the traditional New England accent and John Phillip Law is not very believable as a soviet sailor. Theodore Bikel is not used enough to really let the audience enjoy his presence. Watch for "Jody" from Family Affair dangling from the side of a church steeple.

Disappointing and dull old comedy

[Jeremy_Urquhart · 4/10 · 28 September 2021]

I've liked the three leads in other movies, and the premise sounded fun, but I dunno... this wasn't technically terrible, but it was a slog to get through, and just never really made me laugh.

First half is serviceable, but the second half does really drag, and the premise isn't sustain for the 2-hour plus runtime.

It's just not out there or whacky enough to be a zany, satisfying comedy, but it never really tries to do anything more dramatic or interesting either- it's like a draft of a comedy but most of the jokes haven't been added yet.

I don't know. 2/5 is harsh considering the actors all do okay, and visually it's competent enough, but it was just a drag, and while not offensive or anything, just not very funny, in my opinion.

I'd watch this anytime

[ejev · 10 March 2003]

As someone who remembered how and where to crouch when the air raid siren went, and wondering how we were supposed to know when it was safe to come out, I have always cherished this film as a reminder that we're all human. It has every stereotype going, but it's okay - the characters are so lovingly drawn you don't care. I live in New England now, and while you don't see this version of xenophobic hysteria anymore(thank God!), you still hear the accents and see the regional quirks. Alan Arkin is dead on in his role, and as a student of Russian, I've gotten so I actually understand most of the dialogue. My daughter doesn't get the point of the movie, but then she didn't have duck and cover drills. I wish I knew when or if it were coming out on DVD.

Pre-Détente Cold War Tensions Sent Up in a Now-Quaint Period Comedy

[EUyeshima · 6/10 · 29 September 2006]

Some of the bloom is off this relatively genial 1966 comedy that satirizes Cold War-era attitudes well before détente was established between the two sides. Directed by Norman Jewison, the film now has a relatively prosaic quality that makes the then-alarming situation between a group of Soviet soldiers and the townsfolk on an island off Massachusetts not terribly exciting. Adapted by William Rose from a book by Nathaniel Benchley, the story concerns a Russian submarine that runs aground on a sandbar on U.S. soil. Eight crewman led by Lt. Rozanov are dispatched to find a boat big enough to pull the submarine free. They first encounter a New York family vacationing on the island, a musical comedy playwright named Walt Whittaker with his wife and son. The Whittakers gradually overcome their fears to help the men out but not before the rest of the town is up in arms about a perceived Russian invasion. It all leads to a tense confrontation, but a surprise turn provides all with a greater sense of their brotherhood and the value of peace.

Carl Reiner plays Whittaker with his trademark manic energy but in a warmer hue than his Alan Brady persona. Eva Marie Saint plays his wife Elspeth, but the reactive role is well beneath her abilities. On the other hand, a convincingly Russian-accented Alan Arkin brings a zesty spirit to Rozanov in his feature film debut. An ensemble of comic character actors play the townsfolk with predictable eccentricity - Brian Keith as the flustered police chief, Jonathan Winters as a pompous police officer, Paul Ford as the overly zealous head of the local chapter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. There is a disposable romantic subplot between a young Russian sailor and the Whittakers' comely babysitter. There are even a couple of unexpected moments when the movie threatens to become more of a serious statement. The 2002 DVD has a couple of solid extras - a funny vintage trailer featuring Reiner and Arkin out of character as an interviewer and a Russian tourist, and a 23-minute making-of featurette produced for the DVD featuring Jewison reminiscing about the production and the positive impact it had on Cold War relations. Quaint fun but overlong and definitely a period piece now.

Make Fun Not War

[ricardojorgeramalho · 7/10 · 2 February 2023]

A fun comedy, in a cold war climate, that humanizes the potential enemy, against the irrational fear, conveyed by the nationalist propaganda, of each of the superpowers.

The 1960s were the peak of the cold war. The Berlin blockade in 1961, the Cuban missile crisis in 1962, the US intervention in Vietnam, which became massive from 1965 onwards, as well as the radicalization of Soviet policy, with the rise of Brezhnev to power, replacing the reformist Khrushchev, in 1964, are fundamental milestones in the escalation of tension between the superpowers, which left the world in suspense, on the verge of a third world war.

This is a 1966 film that clearly aims to change mentalities, counteract the tendency of demonizing the adversary, and humanize him, contributing to alleviate the tension in public opinion, and to influence North American policy towards peace.

The result is nice, fun and a good example of a madcap pursuit type comedy, that was very popular in the 60s.

No Bad Guys Here, Only Laughs

[ASuiGeneris · 7/10 · 28 May 2018]

The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming (1966) Director: Norman Jewison Watched: May 24, 2018 Rating: 7/10

Ah, the things we could learn from The Telephone Game,

Amusingly confusing with half the film in poor English and (in the original version) deliberately unsubtitled Russian.

An entertaining and heartwarming watch- though largely implausible, overdone, overlong, and predictable,

A cheesy but completely unlikely ending that teaches love and harmony, because "I do not mistrust... not really sinceriously. I wish not to hate anybody!"

Anyone who gripes that this Cold War satire is outdated should try replacing "Russians" with "Terrorists". ---- Gogyohka literally translates to "five-line poem." An alternative to the tanka form, the gogyohka has very simple rules. Five lines with one phrase per line. What comprises a phrase? Eye of the beholder- or the poet, in this case. #Gogyohka #PoemReview #GoldenGlobesBestPicture #War

A gem of a movie

[rivershore · 8/10 · 10 September 2005]

A situation comedy of errors with lots of sight gags, a who's who of character actors, and a heartwarming ending.

However, I don't understand the "goof" listed above: "Errors in geography: Both the US and Russian maps show Gloucester as an isolated island, which is clearly not the case. There is also the implication (in the film) that Gloucester is not connected to the mainland, also not the case."

How can this be an error when Gloucester is a fictional island? The map looked like Nantucket stood on its end.

Better quotes for this movie are:

"Emergency. Everybody to get from street." -- Russian landing party "We've got to get organized!" --Jonathan Winters "Muriel, whatcha doin' up there?"

Not hilarious but still very fun

[JasparLamarCrabb · 6/10 · 4 May 2014]

While not as utterly hilarious as one would hope given this film's premise and cast, this is still an entertaining farce. A Russian submarine runs aground off the coast of a very Nantucket-ish island and the locals go nuts either fleeing or trying to defend themselves. Vacationing writer Carl Reiner & wife Eva Marie Saint appear to be the only sane denizens but even they get caught up in the goofy shenanigans that ensue. There are a few big laughs delivered by the likes of Paul Ford and Doro Merande. The enormous cast includes Alan Arkin, Brian Keith, Jonathan Winters, Ben Blue, Theodore Bikel (as the sub captain), John Phillip Law, Tessie O'Shea and Michael J. Pollard. Norman Jewison directed with a decidedly light touch and the script is by William Rose. The clever music score, combining patriotic tunes from the US and Russian, is provided by Johnny Mandel. The movie made a fortune and earned a bunch of Oscar nominations including one for Best Picture and one for Arkin as Best Actor.

This has long been just about my favorite comedy.

[allenbj · 10/10 · 16 October 2001]

My wife and I have watched this many times over the years and always find it hilarious. Often during an everyday event something will remind us of scenes in the movie and I'll comment, "Ethel, what are you doing up there?" or "Don't do it again." Arkin was so right for the part he played and the submarine Captain came across as a tough guy who really was a softie. They don't make movies like this anymore!

Kind of funny, but overdone

[petersgrgm · 7/10 · 27 November 2010]

I remember seeing "The Russians are Coming, the Russians are Coming" when it came out in 1966. My impression was that it was meant to be funny, but I believe that it was overdone. Some aspects were amusing, such as when the Russians asked Walt about the area (military bases, town fuzz, etc.) Pete, going into fourth grade (or had been promoted, could not tell which), declared that Daddy was acting like Arnold Benedict! (He obviously meant the Revolutionary hero-turned-renegade Benedict Arnold.) Another laugher was the Russians' stealing the Ford station wagon that the Whittakers had borrowed/rented, and have it run out of gas, followed by strains of "Long, Long Way to Tipperarie". There also were pleasant aspects of the flick, like the Whittakers' summer house, which reminded my of my grandparents' summer home in Little Deer Isle, Maine, and of cottages that my family rented in Ocean Park, Maine. One aspect of the costuming also stood out, that Elspeth wore wheat jeans much like those that I often wore in those days! I did not think much of Alison Palmer; some people to whom I described the movie thought she was a dud! I noted that the book, The Off-Islanders by Nathaniel Benchley, was basis for the movie; some aspects of the book were omitted. On the whole, I liked the book better than the movie.

A Review , Dedicated to The Late Carl Reiner

[happipuppi13 · 10/10 · 10 May 2022]

"The Russians Are Coming" ,may take place during the cold war era but that doesn't deplete the strong message blended seamlessly into the comedy.

The people of Gloucester jump (head first) to the conclusion that the Russians are invading them. When all that's happened is they are run aground on sandbar and want to get off of it by borrowing a boat to tow it loose.

Granted they have good reason with these men carrying & pointing weapons, but in that era Americans had become so fearful of Communism they're not so open to reasoning and talk.

I had seen this over 20 years ago but did not recall it too well. It's no exaggeration that I thought this movie was absolutely funny in every joke, gag & line and the storyline itself is engaging and made comletely plausible.

Carl Reiner's attempt to disarm the young Russian. Alan Arkin's brilliant bad English with the young Russian constantly correcting him. Carl taking off on a girl's bicycle and his long wobbly ride.

The rampant rumors about the parachutists, the airport being seized and overall panic of the townspeople. Carl & the local phone operator bound & gagged together. Brian Keith as chief of police vs. A gung-ho war veteran.

It's really funny when they get to the airport and find 1 mechanic working on a plane and the veteran sees nothing's happened and Brian Keith & his men almost fall over laughing at him.

The somewhat more serious & poignant aspects come about in Carl finally giving in to the panic and almost killing Arkin's character himself with an automatic gun. Then the climactic scene in the harbor where it's the townspeople vs. The Russian submariners.

The payoff for this standoff is worth either the price you buy or rent it for (or check out from your local library). I wont give it away,unless of course someone else has. Abrilliant and very bold script given the times.

According to Jewison in the extras,the film was screened first for the President and some Washington VIP's and then in the U. S. S. R./ Russia itself. Amazingly, no objections on either side.

Despite being nominated for best picture for 1966, the academy went with "A Man For All Seasons". Arkin was nominated for best actor but since it was his 1st film, no surprise but still, too bad he lost.

10/10 it's excellent! (END)

eh... this is supposed to be a comedy?

[tinydr47 · 6/10 · 17 January 2004]

I'm glad I got this out of the library, because I didn't personally think it was all that funny. I can see how living through the scare years of the Cold War might've changed that, but I also think (no offense to anyone) that people of that generation seem to have a certain appreciation for a type of humor that seems a little stilted today. It was perhaps the phony Russian accents that bugged me the most, personally I thought the Cape Anne impression had charm, and was somewhat convincing visually. All-in-all I'd say it's worth seeing, at least as a reference piece... not paying to see it would be a plus.

Pushy, noisy comedy with few laughs

[moonspinner55 · 4/10 · 19 July 2007]

Nathaniel Benchley's book "The Off-Islanders" gets turned by Hollywood into yet another "It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World" clone, and still it was one of the biggest hits of 1966. Panic ensues on America's East Coast when a Russian submarine runs aground, giving an unusually strong cast of players the opportunity to ham like crazy. Alan Arkin, barking orders in Russian, is probably the worst offender (although he did receive an Oscar nomination for Best Actor!); Carl Reiner is inept as a family man taken hostage by the Russkies. Brian Keith and Eva Marie Saint both do okay work (and Saint has never looked lovelier), but the overlong film substitutes noise for witty satire. Norman Jewison directed the proceedings as if it were a traffic-jam, though his finale (with tiny Johnnie Whitaker in trouble on the roof) provides the human uplift the audience needs--we certainly could have used more of that in the earlier sequences. ** from ****