THE SPY WHO CAME IN FROM THE COLD ***

Not as great as its reputation might suggest but damn good nevertheless. This was the film that basically introduced John Le Carre to an international audience. Richard Burton was perfectly cast as Alec Leamas, "The Spy who came in from the Cold" and his mission was to act as a double-agent and worm his way in with the East Germans and incriminate a spy from the other side so they will shoot him themselves.

The plot is complex, the characters beautifully realised and the performances all brilliant. As well as Burton at his near best, Oskar Werner was, as always, remarkably good as another Communist spy, Claire Bloom very nicely cast as the left-wing librarian Burton gets involved with and Cyril Cusack was a perfectly cool and ever so cynical Control. George Smiley even pops up in the form of Rupert Davies. The director was Martin Ritt and this remains one of his best films while Oswald Morris did the brilliant black and white cinematography.