MrOllie Most of the reviews I have given are of films that I saw at the cinema upon its release and have then recently watched again. However, THE LOOKING GLASS WAR is a movie that I never got around to watching at the pictures, therefore, I decided to shell out 3 pounds and buy the DVD. I must say that I am glad I did as I quite enjoyed it. A young Christopher Jones plays a Polish seaman who is recruited by British Intelligence to go into East Germany to check out some missiles in return for being given leave to stay in the UK. The acting was better than I thought it would be and the storyline was OK. I liked the jazzy soundtrack as well. Not a bad film at all and worth the 3 quid I paid.

eldontyrrell I cannot believe I am driven to comment but I feel the need to warn others who may simply assume, as did I, that any film adapted from a le Carre cold war novel would be worth seeing.If, as it has been said, le Carre wasn't happy with the Richard Burton adaptation of "The Spy Who Came In From The Cold", then I can't imagine he knew that this particular film was even *made* -- for he would have gone berserk.Unless you wish to utterly waste ninety minutes of your life, steer completely clear of this horrifically tedious, disjointed, pointless, nearly unwatchable film.

wes-connors Knife-wielding seaman Christopher Jones (as Leiser) is recruited, by British spies, to sneak through the Iron Curtain, in Germany; there, he is to confirm suspicions the East German Communist are building missiles. Mr. Jones' mission is, at first, complimented by, but later, compromised by the urge to mate; especially after he encounters delicious Pia Degermark (as Anna). Writer/director Frank Pierson's adaptation of John Le Carré's Cold War novel is, in the end, disappointing; but, it has some strengths. Shirt-shedding Jones' Polish-French-English dubbing is very well done. Mr. Pierson's direction holds interest. Jones and Ms. Degermark are very beautiful; unfortunately, both would have short-lived starring careers. Another promising young performer, Anthony Hopkins (as Avery), makes a good impression; and, veterans Ralph Richardson and Paul Rogers give the picture some gravitas.***** The Looking Glass War (1969) Frank Pierson ~ Christopher Jones, Anthony Hopkins, Pia Degermark

kate2000 I am amazed that so many reviewers panned this film when TLGW came out.While this film is very bleak, so was The Spy Who Came In From The Cold. TSWCIFTC had none of the whimsical touches that distinguish TLGW, and lacked the gritty underbelly that makes TLGW so much more believable, if even less romantic and reassuring. While TSWCIFTC is more of an intellectual overview of The Game (until its dismal conclusion), TLGW spares no one.Christopher Jones is excellent as the charming but unbalanced ne'er-do-well, who is exactly what British Intelligence needs. Anthony Hopkins is so good, you'll forget Hannibal Lecter.The entire ensemble cast is superb, with supporting players able to convey fully realized characters with only a few lines in most cases. The few characters who are not fleshed out seem to come from out of nowhere, as does Jones' character, echoing the mood of a man lost in a country he does not know - first England, then East Germany.I particularly liked the fact that the film made England the dark, enclosed, maze of liars and opportunists, while E. Germany was shown alternately as open, pristine land and the property of deceptive invaders (the mirrors of the British). In addition, the film bluntly and confidently attempts to dissect patriots and their imitators: a rarity in 1970.This film is not strictly an entertainment, but there are some fine, light moments between the characters played by Jones, Hopkins, Pickles and Richardson. The Looking Glass War is a fascinating film, a tribute to an era and an author.