Dylan Keyne Let's open this with a quote: "It was true to the novel and turned out very well, I think. I keep looking for it on cable TV, but it never seems to show up. I came across a commercial videotape of it and was alarmed to find that it was cut to 90 minutes and barely recognisable in terms of my book".David Morrell Author of The Brotherhood Of The Rose. That alone is sufficient for me to recommend this film - The author of the book himself is a fan. As Morrell's comment makes obvious - Get the full-length version. It just so happens, I ordered the new full-length DVD from Sweden. Plays fine on Region 2 players, but reportedly works on other regions too...As for the film - It's not really a Spy flick... More a thriller, but somewhat different. The organisations and professions themselves are not so important. What matters most is the relationship between the two 'brothers' and their 'father'. I suppose it's a family tale, set in the genre of a political/spy thriller. Some very good factual background and brilliant actors combine to make this an enjoyable watch. The secondary support cast are not particularly animated, but then they are often just passing faces who serve one purpose - Usually getting killed. What really makes this is Robert Mitchum and his interaction between Peter Strauss and David Morse. The two latter actors in scenes alone have a very brotherly way about them and you get the impression these two actors were close friends on and off set. Even when they're not in the same scene, all three have a sense of family about them. James B. Sikking and Connie Sellecca are engaging in their own right, as well as great vehicles for the main 3 to play off. The film itself does feel like a 70s/80s thriller flick, but that is in perfect keeping with the period the novel is set in, so it works well for the story. In terms of plot, it's an engaging one that doesn't always go where you think it will and ends, like all good thrillers, with a fantastic and surprising twist!!

mattrochman This is a intriguing spy movie, mainly because it doesn't follow the formula of most other spy-films.This is not another one of those films where the goody spies on the baddie, the baddie captures the goody, reveals his devious plans to annihilate the world, the goody escapes, kills the baddie and saves the girl. The strengths of those sorts of films are found in their special effects, stunts and a drawn-out battle at the end of the film.By contrast, the strength of the Brotherhood of the Rose is its intelligent and engaging plot. A spy is double crossed and aims to find out why before they find him. The answers turns out to be a rather complex and very well-conceived conspiracy.It's only downfall is its crappy production level. The sound quality, editing, directing and screenplay are noted areas requiring improvement. The acting is also inconsistent, but the brilliant Robert Mitchum, David Morse, Rhys McConnochie and M. Emmet Walsh offer fairly solid performances to ensure that the acting does not stand out as a major downfall.Some cheesy lines and awkward acting moments could have been left on the cutting room floor. There also appears to be an editing error here and there (where a scene cuts before it appears to be finished). Furthermore, whoever chose the cheap and tacky music should have been sacked.Aside from that, a very good watch. However, it is fairly long - 3 hours or so. Yet, I like a film that isn't impatient if the story is worth unfolding gradually.

leejackson The original airing of this movie (on TV) was outstanding! However, when it was put into VHS, it was chopped up pretty bad and now there is quite a lot of good footage missing. Now (in VHS format) the movie looks choppy, it jumps around too quickly, and vital story components are now gone. I look forward to the day when it is released in DVD and restored to its original length. The story, in short... Two orphaned boys are adopted by a major American Intelligence officer, and the two boys are trained to be top assassins for the U.S. But when each of the orphans (now agents) run into unexpected dangers, the only person they can turn to (other than each other) is their adopted father. Or can they?

Goines This was a great book and turned into a surprisingly good movie, even for television. It was written by David Morrell, who also wrote First Blood, in case you didn't know. Robert Mitchum, David Morse, Connie Sellecca and a host of others made this quite an ensemble cast for a television production. If you can find the movie, watch it. If you can find the book, read it. After all, you have what else to do?