AlexMedario Even that the film is fine it's years light distance from the book, so many things get behind !! But letting aside unfair comparison with a spectacular novel, the film deserves some praising.First at all is that a complicated plot is masterfully exposed, you get to understand it without being a genius. And this is not trivial matter, because usually spy films get too confused and wrapped into incoherence. A high qualification for the script, is clear enough. Richard Burton plays an excellent character, he stares the rest of the characters and even being the film black and white his expression and his light eyes make an impression.

Leofwine_draca This spy film is an adaptation of the novel by John Le Carre and blows the recent TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY adaptation clean out of the water. It's a dark and dingy movie about Cold War relations and the lengths that either side will go to in order to protect their own operatives and destroy those opposing them.The stark black and white photography is exemplary and gives the viewer the message that this will be a grimly realistic movie about the ruthless nature of Cold War spies. Richard Burton is perfectly cast as the jaded and burnt out agent who tries to live a normal life but is sent to Europe for one last job. The plot twists and turns so much that it's impossible to predict what's going to happen, and although it's very complex it also remains easy to follow from beginning to end.There are some great twists here, and a masterful ending which really says everything that needs to be said about the situation. The all-star supporting cast is also very good, particularly a twitchy Oskar Werner and a fragile Claire Bloom. Best of all is a haunted Burton, playing perhaps the role of a lifetime.

Otilia Huszar Having read the first 4 of John Le Carre's 'George Smiley' books, I might say "The Spy Who Came in from the Cold" is my personal favorite.I never thought I would one day like a black and white movie (especially a movie made after a novel...). Somehow, nowadays, script writers turn the plot around 180 degrees and most of the times it seems like the book and the movie have nothing in common (or the movie lacks scenes that are vital for the action). But not this movie. Considering the year during which it had been filmed, I might say that it's quite good. Not impressive. But watchable without finding yourself doing something else in the meantime out of boredom.

JasparLamarCrabb Martin Ritt's film of the John le Carré novel features a brilliant performance by Richard Burton. As a burned out spy given one last shot at bringing in a notorious Russian enemy, Burton is astounding. His physical & emotional exhaustion show in his face, his body language and every step he takes. It's a performance that reminds one of how great an actor Burton could be. He's ably assisted by the likes of Oskar Werner, Claire Bloom, Michael Hordern and Peter van Eyck. Ritt's tight direction and the stark B&W cinematography by the great Oswald Morris help to make this film one of the masterpieces of the 1960s. The music score (very sparse!) is by Sol Kaplan. The cast also includes Cyril Cusak, Sam Wanamaker and, in an early incarnation of le Carré's George Smiley, Rupert Davies.