twoneness We read the Reader's Digest condensed version, and quickly put the DVD in the 1st spot slot of our NetFlix queue. Had dinner, then sat down and got ready for the movie. Three hours long. I honestly believe that this waste of film belongs in the top ten list of Mystery Science Theater 3000!!! I ad libed just as MST3K would have throughout this video. Delightfully entertaining my wife who responded with peals of laughter. It had the tension, action, and suspense of a cheese stick!As a party popper, one could play it and amaze everyone with the 'psychic demonstrations' of telling what will happen next with accuracy. The sound track was as genuine as one of a porn film.After this, we may dare to watch "Dirty Dancing" and groan for Patrick The author also wrote: Day of the Jackal, The Odessa File and The Dogs of War. PLEASE tell me that Hallmark didn't produce these!

fygall I just finished reading Forsyth's novel 'Icon'. I thought it was one of the most in depth, detailed, and page-turning books I ever read, definitely in my top 10. I acquired a DVD version of the book starring Mr. Swayze. OK, let me first point out that to fit a decent adaptation of the novel into 2.5 hours film time would of been impossible, so I understand the teams reason to sway from the book version and differ. However, when I say "differ" what I really should say is "take the characters from the book, add a few, leave a few out, take away the book's plot, add a modern new plot, add Frederick Forsyth's name in there somewhere". Im not saying this was a bad picture, far from it, some of the effects were top notch and the acting wasn't half bad. The story sucked and didn't rely on logic or reality. Forsyth's novel was so good and real and altered the facts of reality instead of exaggerating them.. This could of been so much more if it had taken its time and been made into say a 10 part series. If you haven't read the book then expect a decent TV movie with a good acting cast, if you have read the book then try and forget it when watching this.

kopznn I decided to rent this, not expecting much since Hallmark stuff is usually kinda soft but what a surprise! Action and suspense. Patrick Swayze is back and kicks ass! It would be great to see him in a real action flick ie Tom Cruise style. I did not read the book but are they ever true to the novel?The cast is great. The girl who plays Sonya (Annika Peterson) is both hot and smart. She runs the show which is impressive in a male dominated flick where the girl is usually just a sex object. This of course made my wife happy. Michael York, from Austen Powers, is slick. However, he could use some more gadgets. The gadgets were weak along with the special effects but the story is a good reflection of what is going on in the world today.

gabryant Frederick Forsyth's books are always so intricately plotted, with twists and turns, and usually a great surprise ending. This adaptation had none of that.So much of what was great in the book (the history of Monk and the betrayed agents; the plot to influence the outcome of the Russian election) were completely missing in this adaptation. Instead, there's this completely new plot about bio-weapons that was a yawner.Forsyth's protagonists always operated in the shadows, forever just slightly beyond the reach of the antagonists. The joys of his books have always been the machinations of carrying out their mission. This film resigned itself to gunfights and car chases early on.Swayze's Monk might as well have hung a sign around his neck saying "I AM A SECRET AGENT" for all the attention that he called to himself during the film. And with all of that attention, the amount of time that it took the bad guys to catch up to him was surprising.Granted there was some energy to this film, which is why I'm giving it a "3" instead of a "1". It was also great to see some underutilized pros like Patrick Bergin, Ben Cross, Michael York, and Barry Morse.I hope that someday, someone will once again do justice to a Forsyth film adaptation like "Day of the Jackal" did.