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The Spy Who Came in from the Cold | 
 enlarge | Director: Martin Ritt
Actors: Richard Burton, Oskar Werner, Claire Bloom, Sam Wanamaker, George Voskovec
Studio: Paramount
Category: DVD
List Price: $9.98
Buy New: $4.68
You Save: $5.30 (53%)
New (39) Used (26) Collectible (1) from $2.77
Rating:  57 reviews
Sales Rank: 6841
Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Black & White, Dolby, Dvd-video, Subtitled, Widescreen, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), French (Original Language), English (Subtitled)
Rating: Unrated
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 112 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: PARD065094D
ISBN: 0792198719
UPC: 097360650945
EAN: 9780792198710
ASIN: B000228EK4
Theatrical Release Date: December 16, 1965
Release Date: July 13, 2004
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Brand New and Factory Sealed Item Fast Shipping
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
John le Carre's classic spy yarn gets a suitably brisk, unromanticized telling in this quintessential Cold War movie. A British agent (Richard Burton) sets up an elaborate cover story for being lured into defecting to the Communists, but he hardly needs to manufacture his disgust and cynicism over spying. The grim business of point-counterpoint espionage has rarely been depicted with less glamour; Burton's great climactic speech on the subject is the definitive take on sinking to the level of the enemy. Claire Bloom is an offbeat love interest, and a bearded Oskar Werner is an East German investigator on Burton's case (the pecking order in the Communist spy hierarchy is a source of black humor). Director Martin Ritt extends his unvarnished approach to the movie's stripped-down look, which means that Richard Burton is constantly in a harsh, unflattering light. He looks terrible, but it's in the service of a fine performance. --Robert Horton
Product Description
A cynical british spy plays cold war games with an east german spy. From the john le carre novel. Studio: Paramount Home Video Release Date: 04/11/2006 Starring: Richard Burton Oscar Werner Run time: 112 minutes Rating: Nr Director: Martin Ritt
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| Customer Reviews: Read 52 more reviews...
 Criterion delivers again December 2, 2008
John Verity (South Orange, NJ)
Having read the book and seen this movie in its earlier, original DVD release (a bargain, still, for those not wanting to shell out for this new edition), I knew what to expect in the way of story. This new transfer is, however, much more better, especially in its offering a higher-definition image with a subtler, more delineated grey scale - which is critical to the enjoyment of any well-made B&W movie. What really makes the Criterion edition so valuable are the extras included on Disk 2. First, there's a quite informative and candid interview with le Carre himself - in which he offers some revealing memories of the movie's casting, shooting, and on-set experiences as well as some criticisms of the final result. He is especially revealing about Martin Ritt, the director, an old lefty who was blacklisted during the '50s and who was perfect to handle this movie with its particularly curious selection of actors. There's also a good BBC interview with le Carre, from a few years back, which traces, with some depth, his boyhood, education, and career and shows how they have been captured and reflected in several of the movies made from his books. And there is a wonderful interview/voice-over by the cinematographer, explaining some of this film's best scenes and how they were conceived and shot. And more. Every die-hard fan of le Carre (or of Richard Burton) will likely enjoy this Criterion release; it is a serious and sincere addition to the growing collection of materials relating to and embellishing on the work of le Carre, a top-notch novelist.
Classic 60`s Cold War.Classic Burton.Classic LeCarre. November 22, 2008
W. Hosford (Northern CA USA)
There are already many well-written reviews for this classic B&W cold war film that stars Richard Burton as a broken-down,drunken and disillusioned field operative(read SPY).One of the best espionage pictures ever made--it holds up very well,even upon multiple viewings.Based on the John LeCarre novel of the same name;this is the film responsible for introducing me to LeCarre`s novels.As excellent as the movie is-I still reommend reading the book first!
Thanks for reading!
The Cold War is Chilly November 1, 2008
Lynn Ellingwood (Webster, NY United States)
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
This is the classic John LeCarre thriller. I read it in college and was so moved by it, I never forgot the feel even as I forgot the story. The movie is no less important. Richard Burton plays a spy whose life is cold, unfeeling and distant. How could it be otherwise when you are trying to maintain a lifestyle that is inherently false? He falls in love with a woman and begins to loosen up and think more about a life that he has lost. The ending is a heartbreaker. A very realistic sad film by Martin Ritt and Richard Burton is perfect in his role as George Smiley.
 Classic cold-war thriller September 5, 2008
Stratiotes Doxha Theon (Richmond, Missouri)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Classic cold-war thriller that portrays the sacrifice of the individual for the good of the state. The Richard Burton character is involved in a mission to frame an opposite spy and in the end finds himself also expendable to that same cause. Rich undertones of the cold war chill and it's cost. Very well done and an excellent choice in Mr. Burton for this intense ambiguous role.
Superb adaptation April 8, 2008
W. Brown
Having read the novel by LeCarre, I can't imagine anyone but Richard Burton as the burnt-out false defector Alec Leamas. The black-and-white of this film underscores the shades of gray in the moral no-man's-land in which Leamas takes on the most difficult, most insidious assignment of his trying career as a spy. The jacket of this edition of the film says "forget James Bond," a very apt line for what's inside. This film is made with raw, real suspense, fine acting, and excellent cinematography. There are no "super-spies," no gadgets, no kung-fu stunts, only the subtleties of people keeping secrets upon secrets. If you want to be cheered or excited, this is not your stop. But if you want to see brilliant work in film, check this one out.
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