The Deadly Affair (1966)

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Director:

Sidney Lumet

Writers:

John le Carré (novel)
Paul Dehn (screenplay)

Release Date:

October 1966 (UK)

Genre:

Thriller | Drama

Plot:

A British agent sets out to uncover the hidden facts behind a British government employee's suicide. |

Plot Keywords:

Spy | Based On Novel | Independent Film

Awards:

Nominated for 5 BAFTA Film Awards.

Cast

James Mason	...	Charles Dobbs
Simone Signoret	...	Elsa Fennan
Maximilian Schell	...	Dieter Frey
Harriet Andersson	...	Ann Dobbs
Harry Andrews	...	Insp. Mendel
Kenneth Haigh	...	Bill Appleby
Roy Kinnear	...	Adam Scarr
Max Adrian	...	Adviser (Marlene Dietrich)
Lynn Redgrave	...	Virgin (in "Edward II")
Robert Flemyng	...	Samuel Fennan
Leslie Sands	...	Inspector
Corin Redgrave	...	David

Runtime:

115 min | USA:107 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Norway:16 | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | UK:15

Filming Locations:

Balloon Tavern, Chelsea, London, England, UK

Company:

Sidney Lumet Film Productions

Trivia:

Candice Bergen was first choice as James Mason's unfaithful wife.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Out of It (1969)

So-so spy drama is derivative and influential at the same time...

Some nice atmosphere is created in this dated, but relatively engaging spy story. It also boasts a very fine cast of international film actors. Mason plays a British spy whose seemingly benign interview with a government official with Communism in his background kicks off a series of murders and attempted murders. He must, with the help of a few friends, unravel the baffling reasons behind the deaths all the while dealing with his comparatively young wife (Andersson) who can't stay out of other men's beds. Andrews offers wonderful support as an endearingly matter-of-fact and tough retired policeman. Schell is absolutely gorgeous as an old chum of Mason's. Signoret (looking not unlike Broderick Crawford and speaking almost to a level at which she can be heard) plays the dead man's bereaved widow. Other small parts are played by stalwarts like Haigh as a quasi-gay co-worker of Mason's, Kinnear as a slimy hood and Redgrave as a dippy, friendly stagehand. Assets include the bouncy Quincy Jones score, the muted, clean photography and the nuanced performances of the mostly solid cast. Detriments would be the somewhat sluggish telling of the story and the horrible sound levels in the film. Any and all sound effects and music are played much more loudly than any of the dialogue. The ear is assaulted by raindrops, car engines, anything, really, while the words can barely be heard in some cases. The heavy accents of many of the players only compound the problem. Also, Andersson is just plain bad as Mason's wife. The role is no good anyway, but she looks, sounds and acts horribly throughout. Still, there's enough mystery and polish in the film to hold the attention of a true film buff or a fan of Mason. Others, used to more electric and/or shoot-em-up fare will be bored silly from the start.