Torn Curtain (1966)
Genre: Thriller
Duration: 128 minuten
Country:
United States
Directed by: Alfred Hitchcock
Stars: Paul Newman and Julie Andrews
IMDb score:
6,6 (31.615)
Releasedate: 15 July 1966
Torn Curtain plot
"It tears you apart with suspense!"
American weapons expert Professor Michael Armstrong attends an international conference in Copenhagen with his assistant and fiancée Sarah Sherman. At the hotel, Sarah receives a cryptic message intended for Armstrong. When the professor declares that he urgently needs to take the plane to Sweden, Sarah becomes suspicious. She discovers that Armstrong has booked a flight to East Berlin and goes after him. Once there, it appears that he has defected to the Eastern Bloc. In reality, the man is targeting an important formula, which he wants to smuggle across the border from Leipzig.
Actors and actresses
Michael Armstrong
Sarah Sherman
Countess Kuchinska
Heinrich Gerhard
Ballerina
Gustav Lindt
Hermann Gromek
Karl Manfred
Mr. Jacobi
Dr. Koska
Reviews & comments
Hendrick99
-
- 173 messages
- 105 votes
In itself an exciting and original story that also fits perfectly into the era of the time (Cold War, GDR, etc.). I think the casting is less fortunate: Paul Newman is barely credible as a professor in the field of aerospace engineering. The role of Julie Andrews, however, could just as well have been omitted. She just sits there looking beautiful without any added value. At the time, various sources already reported that Hitchcock had to give her the role under pressure from the film studio. Unfortunately I can't make it more than a meager '3'.
Translated from Dutch · View original
Illmaticly Ill
-
- 46 messages
- 477 votes
An entertaining picture about a topical theme at the time. Newman is especially good in his role; in addition, a number of comic supporting roles such as the character Gromek. Of course it's all a bit bland and unbelievable -- however, most scenes are just well worked out, especially in terms of camera work, which sometimes makes you sit on the edge of your seat. I also like it a bit better than the film that Hitch released before this (Marnie). Certainly no Vertigo or Psycho, but does not disappoint in terms of entertainment and "suspense".
Translated from Dutch · View original
Fisico
-
- 10039 messages
- 5398 votes
I'm a little surprised at the strict quotas of this Torn Curtain. It is certainly not Hitckcock's best production and here and there it does not run flawlessly, but I also see those imperfections in his masterpieces.
Torn Curtain has a strong premise. The film is set during the Cold War period in what was then East Germany. For example, a film that reminds me very strongly of "Das Leben der Anderen" which for me is one of the best films on the subject. But also with Torn curtain a clear and realistic picture of the working method of the Stasi is sketched. Improbable, in fact, how a government apparatus could exert such influence and censorship on the population. Really no one can be trusted and there is always one lurking around the corner to notify the competent authorities.
The story itself, its elaboration and the build-up of tension are certainly OK with this Torn curtain. The acting performance, on the other hand, remained somewhat below par. Although Paul Newman is not much to criticize, I didn't detect much chemistry between him and Julie Andrews. It was all quite superficial, unenthusiastic. Here and there some nice scenes like on the farm or the theater. I also liked the scene with Professor Lindt (albeit a bit forced).
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