Well-made seven-part espionage puzzler, which does not quite live up to its towering reputation. The dialogue is undoubtedly witty and delivered with aplomb by the unanimously first-rate cast, with Alec Guinness turning in yet another brilliant performance.
But after the fourth episode the pace gets bumpy and the whole scenario appears somewhat trivial were it not for some intelligent or exciting moments here and there.
Irvin's direction uses interior spaces to maximum effect, but overall there's a slightly dowdy air to it.
Still, this Cold War reptile is definitely preferable to all those contemporary action no-brainers pretending to be spy movies. (Yes, I mean you, Mr. Bourne!)
7 out of 10 mole diggers
But after the fourth episode the pace gets bumpy and the whole scenario appears somewhat trivial were it not for some intelligent or exciting moments here and there.
Irvin's direction uses interior spaces to maximum effect, but overall there's a slightly dowdy air to it.
Still, this Cold War reptile is definitely preferable to all those contemporary action no-brainers pretending to be spy movies. (Yes, I mean you, Mr. Bourne!)
7 out of 10 mole diggers