The Quiller Memorandum - Rotten Tomatoes Quiller had the misfortune to hit cinemas hot on the heels of two first-rate examples of Bond backlash: Martin Ritts gritty The Spy Who Came in from the Cold and the first (and easily best) entry in the acclaimed Harry Palmer trilogy, The Ipcress File, both released in 1965. The Quiller Memorandum, British-American spy film, released in 1966, that was especially noted for the deliberately paced but engrossing script by playwright Harold Pinter. The Quiller character is constantly making terrible decisions, and refuses to use a gun, and he's certainly no John Steed. Variety is a part of Penske Media Corporation. But soon he finds that she has been kidnapped and Oktober gives a couple of hours to him to give the location of the site; otherwise Inge and him will be killed. With what little information the British operatives are able to provide him especially in his most recent predecessor, Kenneth Lindsay Jones, working alone without backup against advice, Quiller decides to take a different but potentially more dangerous tact than those predecessors in showing himself at three places Jones was known to be investigating, albeit in coded terms, as the person who has now taken over the mission from Jones in the probability that the Nazis will try to abduct him for questioning to discover what exactly their opponents know or don't know, and to discover in turn their base of operations in West Berlin. Quiller works for the Bureau, an arm of the British Secret Service so clandestinethat no-one knows itexists. By day, the city is presented so beautifully, it's hard to imagine that such ugly things are going on amidst it. The book is more focused on thinking as a spy and I found it to be very realistic. Phoenix boss Oktober (Max von Sydow) with George Segal, seated. The love interest between Quiller and Inge (Senta Berger) developed with no foundation. He is shielded behind the building when the bomb explodes. Our hero delivers a running dialogue with his own unconscious mind, assessing the threats, his potential responses, his plans. Thanks in advance. I feel this film much more typified real counter espionage in the 60's as opposed to the early Bond flicks (which I love, by the way). The Chief of the Secret Service Pol (Alec Guinness) summons the efficient agent Quiller (George Segal) to investigate the location of organization's headquarter. The plot holes are many. Quiller slips out though a side door to the small garage yard where his car is kept. All Rights Reserved. "[4], The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reports that 67% of critics have given the film a positive rating, based on 12 reviews, with an average score of 7.4/10. 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. Set in 1950s Finland, during the Cold War, the books tell the story of a young police woman and budding detective who cuts against the grain when, John Fullertons powerful 1996 debut The Monkey House was set in war-torn Sarajevo and was right in the moment. It was from the quiller memorandum ending of the item, a failed nuclear weapons of Personalized Map Search. I listened to the audio version narrated by Andrew B Wehrlen and found it an utterly engaging tale. Hes lone wolf who lives or dies by his own actions a very clean and principled approach to espionage. Max von Sydow as a senior post-War Nazi conspirator over-acts and is way out of control, Anderson being so hopeless and just a bystander who can have done no directing at all. It certainly held my interest, partly because it was set in Berlin and even mentioned the street I lived on several times. The Quiller Memorandum certainly couldnt compete on an aesthetic level with a film like Spy Who Came in from the Cold: No actor, certainly not George Segal, is going to one-up Richard Burton in the anti-Bond department. But admittedly its a tricky business second-guessing his dramatic instincts here. The Quiller Memorandum, based on a novel by Adam Hall (pen name for Elleston Trevor) and with a screenplay by Harold Pinter, deals with the insidious upsurge of neo-Nazism in Germany. Another isQuillers refusal to carry a weapon hebelieves it lends the operative an over-confidence and cangive the opposition an opportunity to turn your firearm against you. Quilleris a code name. Oktober informs Quiller that if he does not disclose secret information this time, both he and Inge will be killed. 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. In the process, he discovers a complex and malevolent plot, more dangerous to the world than any crime committed during the war. Max Van Sydow is better as the neo-Nazi leader, veiled by the veneer of respectability as he cracks his knuckles and swings a golf club all the time he's injecting Segal with massive doses of truth serum, while Senta Berger is pleasant, but slight, as the pretty young teacher who apparently leads our man initially to the "other side", but whose escape at the end from capture and certain death at the hands of the "baddies" might lead one to suspect her true proclivities. Quiller asks after Jones at the bowling alley without success and the swimming pool manager Hassler tells him spectating is not allowed. Whats more, not even Harold Pinter can inject Segals Quiller with anything like the cutting cynicism and dark humor that made Alec Leamus such a formidably wretched character. I'm generally pretty forgiving of film adaptations of novels, but the changes that were made just do not make sense. Thought I'd try again and found this one a bit dated and dry - I will persevere with the series, Adam Hall (one of Elleston Trevor' many pseudonyms) wrote many classic spy stories, and this one is considered one of his best. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Write by: How did I miss this film until just recently? Scriptwriter Harold Pinter, already with two of the best adapted screenplays of the 1960s British New Wave under his belt (The Servant and The Pumpkin Eater), adapted his screenplay for Quiller from Adam Halls 1965 novel, The Berlin Memorandum. Older ; About; before he started doing "genial" and reminds us that his previous part was in the heavyweight "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf". This spy novel about neo-Nazis 1960's Berlin seemed dated and a little stilted to me. 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. This reactionary quake in the spy genre was brief but seismic all the same. This books has excellent prose, unrealistic scenes, and a mediocre plot. He was the author of. It's not often that one wishes so much for a main character to get killed, especially by NAZI's. The only really interesting thing is the way we're left spoiler: click to read in the end. The Quiller Memorandum subtitles. The original, primary mission has been completely omitted. Quiller then returns to his hotel, followed by the men who remain outside. I can't NOT begin by saying, "This Is A MUST Read For Every Fan Of The Espionage Genre". 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. DVD Savant Review: The Quiller Memorandum - DVD Talk Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. The Quiller Memorandum (1966) directed by Michael Anderson Reviews The Quiller Memorandum Ending Explained The Quiller Memorandum strips the spy persona down to its primal instincts, ditching the fancy paraphernalia in favor of a rather satisfying display of wits and gumption. 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. The West had sent a couple of agents to find out their headquarters, but both are killed. It was time for kitchen-sink alternatives to the Bond films upper-crust Empire nostalgia, channeled as it was through a tuxedoed, priapic Anglo toff committing state-sponsored murder in service of Her Majestys postcolonial grudges. Weary, Quiller only accepts the assignment on the assumption that he can fulfill a self-made promise revenge for a friend. Harold Pinter was nominated for an Edgar Award in the Best Motion Picture category, but also didn't win. 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. The Quiller Memorandum Audible Audiobook - Unabridged I read a few of these many years ago when they first came out. 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). Michael Anderson directs with his usual leaden touch. Oh, there are some problems, and Michael Anderson's direction is. movies. These include another superior soundtrack by John Barry, if perhaps a little too much son-of "The Ipcress File", some fine real-life (West) Berlin exteriors, particularly of the Olympic Stadium with its evocation of 1936 and all that and Harold Pinter's typically rhythmic, if at times inscrutable screenplay. Other viewers have said it all: it is a good movie and more interestingly it is a different kind of spy movie. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. [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?" The Quiller series is highly regarded by the spy-fiction community, and as strange as it may seem - because I have had most of the books for years - I have never actually read them. AKA: Ivan Foxwell's the Quiller Memorandum, Quiller, Quiller Memorandum, Ian Foxwell's The Quiller Memorandum, Ivan Foxwell's Production The Quiller Memorandum. Written by Harold Pinter from the novel by Adam Hall Produced by Ivan Foxwell Directed by Michael Anderson Reviewed by Glenn Erickson The enormous success of James Bond made England the center of yet another worldwide cultural phenomenon. This is one of the worst thriller screenplays in cinema history. This well-drawn tale of espionage is set in West B. The Quiller Memorandum book. They wereso popularthat in 1966 a film was made the title waschanged to The Quiller Memorandum and from then on all future copies of the book were published under this title, rather than the original. The Quiller Memorandum (1966) - Michael Anderson | Review | AllMovie Inga is unrecognizable and has been changed to the point of uselessness. As usual for films which are difficult to pin down . 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. 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. En route he has some edgy adventures. After they have sex, she unexpectedly reveals that a friend was formerly involved with neo-Nazis and might know the location of Phoenix's HQ. 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. Quiller, a British agent who works without gun, cover or contacts, takes on a neo-Nazi underground organization and its war criminal leader. Get help and learn more about the design. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. [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. 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. In addition to Pinters screenplay, the film was noted for its plot twists and the portrayal of Quiller as refreshingly vulnerable and occasionally inept. I also expected just a little more from the interrogation scenes from the man who wrote "The Birthday Party". The Quiller Memorandum - Trailers From Hell As such, it was deemed to be in the mode of The Ipcress File (1965) and The Spy Who Came in from the Cold (1965). Alec Guiness and George Sanders have brief roles as Segal's Control and Home Office head, respectively, and both rather coldly and matter-of-factly pooh-pooh over the grisly death of Segal's agent predecessor. 2023's Most Anticipated Sequels, Prequels, and Spin-offs, Dirk Bauer . This film has special meaning for me as I was living in Berlin during the filming and, subsequent screening in the city. Finally, he is placed in the no-win position of either choosing to aid von Sydow or allowing Berger to be murdered. This repackaging includes some worthwhile special features like an isolated score track and commentary by film historians Eddy Friedfeld and Lee Pfeiffer of Cinema Retro magazine to go with the new format. In the 60's, in Berlin, two British agents that are investigating a Neonazi ring are murdered. You are the hero of an extraordinary novel that shows how a spy works, how messages are coded and decoded, how contacts are made, how a man reacts under the influence of truth drugs, and that traces the story of a vastly complex, entertaining, convincing, and sinister plot. Segals laconic, stoop-shouldered Quiller is a Yank agent on loan to the British government to replace the latest cashiered Anglo operative in West Berlin. 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! I just dont really understand the ending to a degree. The film had its world premiere on 10 November 1966 at the Odeon Leicester Square in the West End of London. Quiller, however, escapes, and with Inges help, he discovers the location of Phoenixs headquarters. An American secret agent called Quiller (George Segal) working for MI6 (whose chief is George Sanders) travels to Berlin to uncover a deadly Neo-Nazi band . I've not put together a suite before so hopefully it works.Barry's short (35mins) if atmospheric score for the Cold War thriller The Quiller Memorandum, 1966. If your idea of an exciting spy thriller involves boobs, blondes and exploding baguettes, then The Quiller Memorandum is probably not for you. He first meets with Pol, who explains that each side is trying to discover and annihilate the other's base. The Berlin Memorandum, renamed The Quiller Memorandum, was published in 1965 by Elleston Trevor, who used the pseudonym Adam Hall. The Quiller Memorandum (1966) - IMDb I found it an interesting and pleasant change of pace from the usual spy film, sort of in the realm of The Spy Who Came in From the Cold (but not quite as good). The screenwriter, Harold Pinter, no less, received an Edgar nomination. Yes, Scream VI Marketing Is Behind the Creepy Ghostface Sightings Causing Scares Across the U.S. David Oyelowo, Taylor Sheridan's 'Bass Reeves' Series at Paramount+ Casts King Richard Star Demi Singleton (EXCLUSIVE), Star Trek: Discovery to End With Season 5, Paramount+ Pushes Premiere to 2024. Quiller befriends a teacher, Inge Lindt, whose predecessor at the school had been arrested for being a Neo-Nazi. Pol tells Quiller the fascist underground is far more organized and powerful in Germany than people believe. Set largely on location in West Berlin, it has George Segal brought back from vacation to replace a British agent who has come to a sticky end at the hands of a new infiltrating group of Nazis. The Quiller Memorandum was based on a novel by Elleston Trevor (under the name Adam Hall). The friend proves to be Hassler, who is now much more friendly. Is Quiller going to wind up dead too? 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. The Quiller Memorandum | Mountain Xpress Clumsy thriller. Oktober also wants to know the location of the British base in Germany and uses drugs in Quiller to get the information but the skilled agent resists. He does this in a lone-wolf way, refusing to be hampered by bodyguards. Thank God Segal is in it. 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 Quiller Memorandum (1966) - Turner Classic Movies Watchable and intriguing as it occasionally is, enigmatic is perhaps the most apposite adjective you could use to describe the "action" within. The setting is Cold War-divided Berlinwhere Quillertackles a threat from a group ofneo-Nazis whocall themselves Phoenix. For example operatives are referred to as ferrets, and thats what they are. Quiller avoids answering Oktober's questions about Quiller's agency, until a doctor injects him with a truth serum, after which he reveals a few minor clues. In fact, Segal as Quiller can often feel like a case of simple miscasting, although not as egregious a lapse in judgment as, say, Segals choice to play a Times Square smackhead in 1971s Born to Win. Composer Barry provides an atmospheric score (though one that is somewhat of a departure from the notes and instruments used in his more famous pieces), but silence is put to good use as well. The films featured secret agent is the very un-British Quiller (George Segal), a slightly depressive American operative on loan to Britains secret services (take that, Bond!). He begins openly asking question about Neo-Nazis and is soon kidnapped by a man known only as "Oktober". Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. The casting of George Segal in the lead was a catastrophe, as he is so brash and annoying that one wants to scream. The goal of /r/Movies is to provide an inclusive place for discussions and news about films with major releases. The brawny headmistress points Quiller in the direction of Inge (Senta Berger), who happens to be the only English-speaking teacher at the school.