"Alec Leamas" (Richard Burton) is a spy for the British who is given an assignment that involves implicating a high-ranking East German agent named "Hans Dieter-Mundt" (Peter van Eyck) for treason. Knowing that Mundt's subordinate, "Fiedler" (Oskar Werner) despises his boss the British cleverly concoct a plan which sends Alec under false pretenses straight to Fiedler with enough false evidence to have Mundt executed. But there are several variables which make the mission extremely perilous. Now, rather than give any more details and risk ruining it for those who haven't seen it I will just say that this movie captures the Cold War climate extremely well. Not only was Richard Burton nominated for an Academy Award for his performance but Oskar Werner also won a Golden Globe award for his performance as well. Further, the cinematographer (Oswald Morris) also won a BAFTA award for his work. Yet, in spite of all of these awards there were still some parts which were a bit too slow and dull which I felt lessened the film's overall effect. Accordingly, I rate this movie as slightly above average.
Review of The Spy Who Came in from the Cold
