British agent Alec Leamas refuses to come in from the Cold War during the 1960s, choosing to face another mission, which may prove to be his final one.
Acting
Burton's hangdog exhaustion—never has weariness looked so magnetic.
Cinematography
Black-and-white so stark it feels like frostbite.
Writing
Le Carré's dialogue—every word earned, nothing wasted.
Director
Martin Ritt
Richard Burton
Alec Leamas
Claire Bloom
Nan Perry
Oskar Werner
Fiedler
Sam Wanamaker
Peters
George Voskovec
East German Defense Attorney
Rupert Davies
George Smiley
Cyril Cusack
Control
Peter van Eyck
Hans-Dieter Mundt
Michael Hordern
Ashe
Robert Hardy
Dick Carlton
Bernard Lee
Patmore
Beatrix Lehmann
Tribunal President
Esmond Knight
Old Judge
Niall MacGinnis
German Checkpoint Guard
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
GB
