The novel by Len Deighton is a modern masterpiece – and was his first spy novel. It’s an absolute classic with a major twist. The film made Michael Caine’s name. Sue Lloyd and Gordon Jackson co-star, Sidney J. Furie directs. ‘Brainwashing’ was a word in everyday use (and also the theme of The Manchurian Candidate by Richard Condon), and the Russian threat was ominpresent.
It was rather one-dimensional when compared to works by Le Carre’ such as Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, but nowadays audiences are credited with a little more intelligence and refinement – or are they?
