Friday, July 09, 2021

Movie review - "The Defector" (1966) **

 Uninspired spy story about a physicist ordered over the Iron Curtain to retrieve a Thing. Scenes are awkwardly staged (Raoul Levy was a good producer but I don't think much of a director). Dialogue is clunky. The cinematography, normally a highlight of 60s spy films, is washed out and poor.

The main point of distinction is Montgomery Clift. This was his last film. He looks unwell but that adds to the film - his once handsome face all scarred, the hair seems phony, the nose hooked, the lips have cracked.

The supporting cast is of interest and includes Roddy McDowall (as a CIA man!), and Hardy Kruger (as a commie agent).

It's so unexciting and dull. It really needed some decent action helmer, as Variety would say.

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