The characters and dialog are well-written and most roles are nicely acted. Their aim is to bring back the Third Reich. The Quiller Memorandum came near the peak of the craze for spy movies in the Sixties, but its dry, oddly sardonic tone sets it apart from both the James Bond-type sex-and-gadget thrillers and the more somber, "adult" spy dramas such as Martin Ritt's The Spy Who Came In from the Cold (1965). This isn't your standard spy film with lots of gunplay, outrageous villains, and explosions. With its gritty, real-world depiction of contemporary international espionage, The Quiller Memorandum was one of the more notable anti-Bond films of the 1960s. In fact, he is derisory about agents who insist on being armed. Want to Read. Your email address will not be published. The intense first person narration which is the defining characteristic of the Quiller books comes into its own during this interrogation scene, and also during the latter chapters of the books as events begin to come to a head. It's a bit strange to see such exquisitely Pinter-esque dialogue (the laconic, seemingly innocuous sentences; the profound silences; the syntax that isn't quite how real people actually talk) in a spy movie, but it really works. Quiller goes back to the school and confronts Inge in her classroom. Although the situations are often deadly serious, Segal seems to take them lightly; perhaps in the decade that spawned James Bond, he was confused and thought he was in a spy spoof. The Quiller Memorandum is a 1966 British neo noir eurospy film filmed in Deluxe Color and Panavision, adapted from the 1965 spy novel The Berlin Memorandum, by Elleston Trevor under the name "Adam Hall", screenplay by Harold Pinter, directed by Michael Anderson, featuring George Segal, Alec Guinness, Max von Sydow and Senta Berger. This well-drawn tale of espionage is set in West B. Guinness appears as Segal's superior and offers a great deal of presence and class. Very eerie film score, I believe John Barry did it but, I'm not sure. There was also a TV series in 1975. This is one of the worst thriller screenplays in cinema history. This one makes no exception. The friend proves to be Hassler, who is now much more friendly. Analismos este filme no 10. episdio de TRS J COMPANHIA. The quarry for all the work is old Nazi higher officials who are now hiding behind new names and plotting to return Germany to the glory days of the Third Reich, complete with a resurrected Fhrer twenty years after the end of WW II. To do his job George Segal's hapless Quiller must set himself out as bait in the middle of a pressure play in West Berlin. The film illustrates the never-ending game of spying and the futility that results as each mission is only accomplished in its own realm, but the big picture goes on and on with little or no resolution. Not terribly audience-friendly, but smart and very, very cool. The third to try is Quiller, an unassuming man, who knows he's being put into a deadly game. Senta Berger was gorgeous! The Quiller Memorandum (1966) is one such film, and though it's one of the more obscure ones, it is also one of the better ones. closing theme, This page was last edited on 26 January 2023, at 11:13. The newspaper clipping that Hengel gives to Quiller, in the cafe when they first meet, shows that a schoolteacher called Hans Heinrich Steiner has been arrested for war crimes committed in WW2. Conveniently for Quiller, shes also the only teacher there whos single and looks like a Bond girl. He is British secret agent Kenneth Lindsay Jones. But don't let it fool you for one minutenor Mr. Segal, nor Senta Berger as the girl. In the West Berlin of the 1960s, two British agents are killed by a Nazi group, prompting British Intelligence to dispatch agent Quiller to investigate.In the West Berlin of the 1960s, two British agents are killed by a Nazi group, prompting British Intelligence to dispatch agent Quiller to investigate.In the West Berlin of the 1960s, two British agents are killed by a Nazi group, prompting British Intelligence to dispatch agent Quiller to investigate. But for today's audiences, those films are a bit old fashioned and not always very easy to follow, too much complicated. But Quiller is an equal to a James Bond, or a George Smiley. You are a secret agent working for the British in Berlin. Finally, he is placed in the no-win position of either choosing to aid von Sydow or allowing Berger to be murdered. The Quiller Memorandum is a 1966 British neo noir eurospy film filmed in Deluxe Color and Panavision, adapted from the 1965 spy novel The Berlin Memorandum, by Elleston Trevor under the name "Adam Hall", screenplay by Harold Pinter, directed by Michael Anderson, featuring George Segal, Alec Guinness, Max von Sydow and Senta Berger. No doubt Quiller initially seems like a slow-witted stumblebum, but his competence as an agent begins to reveal itself in due course: for instance, we find out he speaks fluent German; in a late scene, he successfully uses a car bomb to fake his own death and fool his adversaries; and along the way he exhibits surprisingly competent hand-to-hand combat skills in beating up a few Nazi bullyboys. Instead, the screenplay posits a more sinister threat: the nascent re-Nazification of German youths, facilitated by an underground coven of Nazi sympathizing grade-school teachers. I listened to the audio version narrated by Andrew B Wehrlen and found it an utterly engaging tale. Just watched it. I read it in two evenings. No one really cared that Gable did not even attempt an English accent the film was that good. For example operatives are referred to as ferrets, and thats what they are. And will the world see a return of Nazi power? I loved seeing and feeling the night shots in this film and, as it was shot on location, the sense of reality was heightened for me. He notices the concierge is seated where he can see anyone leaving. Quiller leaves, startling the headmistress on the way out. Quiller is surprised to learn that no women were found. Dril several holes in it, the size of a pin, one the size of a small coin. I'm generally pretty forgiving of film adaptations of novels, but the changes that were made just do not make sense. Oh, there are some problems, and Michael Anderson's direction is. Hall is not trying be a Le Carre, hes in a different area, one he really makes his own. His two predecessors were killed off in their attempts, but he nevertheless proceeds with headstrong (perhaps even bullheaded) confidence without the aid of cover or even a firearm! This reactionary quake in the spy genre was brief but seismic all the same. Adam Hall/Elleston Trevor certainly produces the unexpected. It keeps the reader engrossed right up to the last couple of lines. His job is to locate their headquarters. All of that, and today the novels are largely forgotten. Quiller's assignment is to take over where Jones left off. A much better example of a spy novel-to-film adaptation would be Our Man in Havana, also starring Alec Guinness. Have read a half dozen or so other "Quiller" books, so when I saw that Hoopla had this first story, I figured I should give it a listen to see how Quiller got started. His Oktober does, however, serve as a one-man master class in hyperironic cordiality: Ah, Quiller! He published over 50 novels as Elleston Trevor alone. Commenting on Quiller in 1966, The New York Timessomewhat unfairlywrote off Segals performance as an unmitigated bust: If youve got any spying to do in Berlin, dont send George Segal to do the job. The reviewer then refers to Quiller as a pudding-headed fellow (a descriptive phrase that sounds more 1866 than 1966). Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Really sad. In 1966, the book was made into a successful film starring George Segal, Max Von Sydow, Senta Berger, and Alec Guinness. While the rest of the cast (Alec Guinness, Max Von Sydow and George Sanders) are good and Harold Pinter tries hard to turn a very internal story into the visual medium, George Segal is totally miscast as Quiller. They are not just sympathisers though. The Quiller character is constantly making terrible decisions, and refuses to use a gun, and he's certainly no John Steed. America's leading magazine on the art and politics of the cinema. Is there another film with as many sequences of extended, audible footsteps? This demonstration using familiar breakfast food items serves to stimulate the American spys brainwaves into serious operative mode. Take a solid, healthy chicken's egg out of the hen house or the fridge Now throw out all the substance, and just keep the eggshell. This is the first in the series, and it seems to have a reputation for being a little different from what would become the typical Quiller novel. The goal of /r/Movies is to provide an inclusive place for discussions and news about films with major releases. A few missteps toward the end so that a few of the twists felt thin and not solidly set up, but overall very nicely plotted and written. Quiller then returns to his hotel, followed by the men who remain outside. The novels are esoteric thrillers, very cerebral and highly recommended. His dry but quick Yiddish humor shines through on many occasions, providing diversions that masquerade his underlying desire to expose the antagonists' machinations. Can someone explain it to me? The Quiller Memorandum book. During the car chase scene, the cars behind Quiller's Porsche appear and disappear, and are sometimes alongside his car, on the driver's (left) side. The film is ludicrous. Performed by Matt Monro, "Wednesday's Child" was also released as a single. Slow-moving Cold War era thriller in the mode of "The Spy Who Came in from the Cold," "The Quiller Memorandum" lacks thrills and fails to match the quality of that Richard Burton classic. When Quiller arrives inthe cityhis handler gives him three items found on a dead agent: tickets to a swimming pool and a bowling alley along with a newspaper cutting. youtu.be/rQ4PA3H6pAw. effective, low key, intelligent, spy film, Attractive, thoughtful spy film with an excellent cast. Berger is luminous and exceedingly solid in a complicated role. But how could she put up with the love scenes with the atrocious Segal? And the legendary John Barrycomposer of the original Bond themeprovides appropriately haunting incidental music here. The brawny headmistress points Quiller in the direction of Inge (Senta Berger), who happens to be the only English-speaking teacher at the school. There are long stretches of what may have seemed to Pinter like very lively and amusing dialogue (the torture scenes between October and George Segal), but they drag on interminably, and make one want to go to sleep. 1966. With a screenplay by Harold Pinter and careful direction by Michael Anderson, the movie is more a violent-edged tale of probable, cynical betrayal by everyone we meet, with the main character, Quiller (George Segal), squeezed by those he works for, those he works against and even by the delectable German teacher, Inge Lendt (Senta Berger) he meets. The Quiller Memorandum subtitles. , . When their backs against the wall, its him they turn to. Director Michael Anderson Writers Trevor Dudley Smith (based on the novel by) Harold Pinter (screenplay) Stars George Segal Alec Guinness Max von Sydow See production, box office & company info The Quiller Memorandum: Directed by Michael Anderson. Book 4 stars, narration by Simon Prebble 4 stars. This was the first book, and I liked it. Kindle Edition. Other viewers have said it all: it is a good movie and more interestingly it is a different kind of spy movie. [7][8], Learn how and when to remove this template message, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Quiller_Memorandum&oldid=1135714025, "Wednesday's Child" main theme (instrumental), "Wednesday's Child" vocal version (lyrics: Mack David / vocals: Matt Monro), "Have You Heard of a Man Called Jones?" He was the author of. This is a nom de plume for author. Corrections? It out the quiller? The original, primary mission has been completely omitted. Two British agents are murdered by a mysterious Neo-Nazi organization in West Berlin. I havent watched too many movies from the 1960s in my lifetime, but the ones I have watched have been excellent (Von Ryans Express, Tony Rome, To Kill A Mockingbird, The Hustler, The Great Escape, etc, including this one.) Finally, paint the result in Barbie pink and baby blue That's more or less what happened to Adam Hall's spy novel for this movie. Also contains one of the final appearences of George Sanders in a brief role, a classic in his own right! After a pair of their agents are murdered in West Berlin, the British Secret Service for some unknown reason send in an American to investigate and find the location of a neo-Nazi group's headquarters. He begins openly asking question about Neo-Nazis and is soon kidnapped by a man known only as "Oktober". On the other hand, the female lead is played by the charming Senta Berger, then aged 25, who does very well, and manages to be enigmatic, and gets just the right tone for the story. On the surface, we get at least some satisfying closure to the case of the clandestine neo-Nazi gang. - BH. In a clever subversion of genre expectations, the plot and storyline ignore contemporary East versus West Cold War themes altogether (East Berlin is, in fact, never mentioned in the film). In the process, he discovers a complex and malevolent plot, more dangerous to the world than any crime committed during the war. Required fields are marked *. Watchlist. In addition to Pinters screenplay, the film was noted for its plot twists and the portrayal of Quiller as refreshingly vulnerable and occasionally inept. Soon Quiller is confronted with Neo-Nazi chief "Oktober" and involved in a dangerous game where each side tries to find out the enemy's headquarters at any price. 1966's The Quiller Memorandum is a low-key gem, a pared-down, existential spy caper that keeps the exoticism to a minimum. Quiller (played by George Segal) is an American secret agent assigned to work with British MI6 chief Pol ( Alec Guinness) in West Berlin. Elleston Trevor wrote 19 novels in the highly successful Quiller series. He is the true faceless spy. He walks down the same street where Jones was shot, but finds he is followed by Oktober's men. The film magnificently utilizes West German locations to bring the story to life. 1 jamietre 8 mo. I enjoyed this novel just as much (if not more) as the previous books that I have read, and I will certainly be purchasing any further Quiller novels that I come across in my exploration of second-hand bookshops. Segal is an unusual actor to be cast as a spy, but his quirky approach and his talent for repartee do assist him in retaining interest (even if its at the expense of the character as originally conceived in the source novels.) Quiller's assignment: to discover the location of the neo-Nazi . Oktober demands Quiller reveal the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) base by dawn or Inge will be killed. He brings graceful authority and steely determination to his role. Ian Nathan of Empire described the film as "daft, dated and outright confusing most of the time, but undeniably fun" and rated it with 3/5 stars. After two British agents are killed while investigating Phoenix, a neo-Nazi group, Quiller is tasked with finding the organizations leader. . Michael Sandlin is a writer and academic based in Houston, Texas. Quiller is eventually kidnapped and tortured by Oktober (Max von Sydow), the leader of Phoenix. So, at this level. 15 years after the end of WW II. Quiller reaches Pol's secret office in Berlin, one of the top floors in the newly built Europa-Center, the tallest building in the city, and gives them the location of the building where he met Oktober. THE SITE FOR DIE HARD CRIME & THRILLER FANS. [5], According to Fox records, the film needed to earn $2,600,000 in rentals to break even and made $2,575,000, meaning it initially showed a marginal loss, but subsequent television and home video sales moved it into the black. The book itself sets a standard for the psychological spy thriller as an agent (code-named Quiller) plays a suspense-filled cat-and-mouse game with the head of a neo-Nazi group in post-war Berlin. As explained by his condescending boss Pol (Alec Guinness), Quillers two unfortunate predecessors were getting too close to exposing the subterranean neo-Nazi cell known as Phoenix (get it? Quiller: At the end of our conversation, he ordered them to kill me. The Quiller Memorandum's strengths and charms are perhaps a bit too subtle for a spy thriller, but those who like their espionage movies served up with a sheen of intelligence rather than gloss or mockery will embrace Quiller.Still, there's no denying that that intelligence doesn't go as deep as it thinks it does, which can be frustrating. The whole thing, including these two actors, is as hollow as a shell. Author/co-author of numerous books about the cinema and is regarded as one of the foremost James Bond scholars. It's not my intention to be obnoxious and list every point in the movie that strays from the book, but it's truly a shame that such well-crafted material--intriguing back stories, superior spy tactics--is wasted here. While the Harry Palmer films from 1965 to 1967 (Ipcress File, Funeral in Berlin, and Billion Dollar Brain) saw cockney Everyman Michael Caine nail the part of Palmer, who was the slum-dwelling, bespectacled antithesis to Sean Connerys martini-sipping sybarite. A crisply written story that captured my attention from beginning to end. In . He also has to endure some narcotically enhanced interrogation, which is the basis of one of the novel's most thrilling chapters. The mind of the spy The plot revolves around former Nazis and the rise of a Neo-Nazi organisation known as Phonix. At the 1967 BAFTA Awards the film had nominations in the best Art Direction, Film Editing and Screenplay categories, but did not win. 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I just dont really understand the ending to a degree. Meanwhile , Quiller befriends and fall in love for a teacher , Inge Lindt (Senta Berger) , and both of whom suffer constant dangers . But then Quiller retraces his steps in a flashback. The film has that beautiful, pristine look that seems to only come about in mid-60's cinema, made even more so by the clean appearance and tailored lines of the clothing on the supporting cast and the extras. Quiller also benefits from some geographically eclectic West Berlin location shooting from master cinematographer and Berlin native Erwin Hillier. Nobel prizes notwithstanding I think Harold Pinter's screenplay for this movie is pretty lame, or maybe it's the director's fault. Don't bother watching it, except to see the many scenes shot on location in West Berlin at that time, with its deserted streets and subdued mood. Thanks in advance. Quiller, a British agent who works without gun, cover or contacts, takes on a neo-Nazi underground organization and its war criminal leader. The protagonist, Quiller, is not a superhuman, like the James Bond types, nor does he have a satchel full of fancy electronic tricks up his sleeve. Hall's truncated writing style contributes to this effect. There are a number of unique elements in the Quiller series that make it stand out. As other reviewers have suggested, this Cold War Neo-Nazi intrigue is more concerned with subtle, low-key plot evolution than the James Bond in-your-face-gadgetry genre that was prevalent during the 60's-70's. They don't know how to play it, it's neither enjoyable make-believe like the James Bond movies, nor is it played for real like "The Spy Who Came in from the Cold." One of my all time favorites and the film too. It is credible. True, Segal never seems to settle into the role of Quiller. The film was shot on location in West Berlin and in Pinewood Studios, England. This spy novel about neo-Nazis 1960's Berlin seemed dated and a little stilted to me. Languid, some might say ponderous mid-60's British-made cold-war drama (it could scarcely be called a thriller, more "The Spy Who Came In From The Cold" than, say "Thunderball") that for all its longueurs, does have some redeeming features. Pol dispatches a team to Phoenix's HQ, which successfully captures all of Phoenix's members. That makes the story much more believable, and Adam Hall's writing style kept me engaged.