Michael Neumann While engaged in routine electronic surveillance a disillusioned English career spy uncovers evidence that his government is guarding the identity of a Soviet mole. Attempts to learn why result in his 'accidental' death, forcing his politically apathetic father to confront the bitter truth about his country and the shadowy people controlling it. This modest espionage thriller dramatizes what everyone suspects but no one will admit: that the covert networks designed to protect national security are in fact ruthlessly waging a secret war beyond control or accountability. It's rare to see an attempt at serious spy fiction on the big screen, but unfortunately what might have worked in print is sabotaged in adaptation by unimaginative writing (in a script composed almost entirely of expository dialogue) and lackluster direction. In the end not only does avenging father Michael Caine unmask (and seemingly by accident) the lesser villain, but afterward he seems unaccountably satisfied with the halfhearted result.

writers_reign It's well documented -not least by the man himself - that Michael Caine finds it hard to say 'no' to any offer that comes in over the transom and as if to illustrate this an English Daily newspaper is giving away no less than 14 'Best Of Breeds' that today would go straight to DVD. The good news is that readers are obliged to collect the other 13 from applicable outlets, the bad news is that this, the first, was actually inserted in the newspaper in question. How bad is it? Let me count the ways. Several English actors who should know better but clearly have bills to pay are wheeled out to go through the motions of what may be best described as a Cool rather than Cold War episode - thriller is far too grand a description - in which Nigel Havers gets too pushy for his own good, 'falls' off a roof and leaves father Caine to get at any truth that might be floating around. Dire.

DocWriter I notice that Netflix has this film listed under "Thrillers." It's not a thriller, but rather a fairly complex drama about what happens when people who are schooled not to trust anyone have almost unlimited power with no accountability. There's never a "stupid moment" in this film that reveals to us, the audience, or to Michael Caine as the protagonist, who the bad guys are or what they've done. We have to peel the layers off the onion along with Michael Caine. There is no James Bond ending in which the bad guys' island explodes and collapses into the sea. Instead, there is a real world ending tailored for adults. I liked the film.

casperwassenaar-1 Some time ago I bought this movie for just 3 euro's. This low price was probably already a secret sign saying: 'Don't buy this one boy...!!' But still, Michael Caine starred in it..a respectable actor...I gave it a try.I put it in the DVD player and pushed the play button.What followed was a period of 100 minutes. In that period I underwent various moments of just nothing...This movie has no story, no goal, no suspense , no action, just nothing. Just meaningless dialogues and strange people.Now I am a nice and positive guy but this film really has to be one of the lousiest movies EVER made.My suggestion: don't watch