Quiller tells Inge that they got most, but clearly not all, of the neo-Nazis. I listened to the audio version narrated by Andrew B Wehrlen and found it an utterly engaging tale. The original, primary mission has been completely omitted. People tend to like it because "it's not like the Bond movies"; well, it's not - it's like "The Ipcress File", except that "The Ipcress File" was a genuinely smart and atmospheric movie, while "The Quiller Memorandum" is a clumsy, dated spy thriller full of pseudo-hip dialogue and plot holes. They are not just sympathisers though. After a pair of their agents are murdered in West Berlin, the British Secret Service for some unknown reason send in an American to investigate and find the location of a neo-Nazi group's headquarters. Just watched it. Mind you, in 1966-67 the Wall was there, East German border guards and a definite (cold war) cloud hanging over the city. A highly unusual and stimulating approach that draws us into the story. The film has that beautiful, pristine look that seems to only come about in mid-60's cinema, made even more so by the clean appearance and tailored lines of the clothing on the supporting cast and the extras. BFI Screenonline: Quiller Memorandum, The (1966) Synopsis As explained by his condescending boss Pol (Alec Guinness), Quillers two unfortunate predecessors were getting too close to exposing the subterranean neo-Nazi cell known as Phoenix (get it? Clumsy thriller. This is the first in the series, and it seems to have a reputation for being a little different from what would become the typical Quiller novel. After all, his characters social unease and affectless personality are presumably components of the movies contra-Bond commitment. It is the first book in the 20-volume Quiller series. Director Michael Anderson Writers Trevor Dudley Smith (based on the novel by) Harold Pinter (screenplay) Stars George Segal Alec Guinness Max von Sydow See production, box office & company info On its publication in 1966, THE QUILLER MEMORANDUM received the Edgar Award as best mystery of the year. Instead, the screenplay posits a more sinister threat: the nascent re-Nazification of German youths, facilitated by an underground coven of Nazi sympathizing grade-school teachers. Variety is a part of Penske Media Corporation. Segal is a very young man in this, with that flippant, relaxed quality that made him so popular. Very eerie film score, I believe John Barry did it but, I'm not sure. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. In conclusion, having recently watched "Quiller's" almost exact contemporary "The Ipcress File", I have to say that I preferred the latter's more pointed narrative, down-home grittiness and star acting to the similar fare offered here. Theres a humanity to Quiller that is unique in this type of action spy thriller. His job is to locate their headquarters. The Quiller Memorandum | Popular Culture Wiki | Fandom Set in 1950s Finland, during the Cold War, the books tell the story of a young police woman and budding detective who cuts against the grain when, John Fullertons powerful 1996 debut The Monkey House was set in war-torn Sarajevo and was right in the moment. The book and movie made a bit of a splash in the spy craze of the mid-sixties, when James Bond and The Man From Uncle were all the rage. Although the situations are often deadly serious, Segal seems to take them lightly; perhaps in the decade that spawned James Bond, he was confused and thought he was in a spy spoof. Weary, Quiller only accepts the assignment on the assumption that he can fulfill a self-made promise revenge for a friend. Berger is luminous and exceedingly solid in a complicated role. The Quiller character is constantly making terrible decisions, and refuses to use a gun, and he's certainly no John Steed. After they have sex, she unexpectedly reveals that a friend was formerly involved with neo-Nazis and might know the location of Phoenix's HQ. I read a few of these many years ago when they first came out. But the writing was sloppy and there was a wholly superfluous section on decoding a cipher, which wasn't even believable. Alec Guinness is excellent as a spy chief, and he gives a faint whiff of verisimilitude to this hopeless film. He quickly becomes involved with numerous people of suspicious motives and backgrounds, including Inge (Senta Berger), a teacher at a school where a former Nazi war criminal committed suicide. Widescreen viewing is a must, if possible, if for no other reason than to fully glimpse the extraordinary stadium built by Hitler for the 1936 Olympic games. I just dont really understand the ending to a degree. I'll give this horribly dated film a generous **1/2 rating anyway; hell, you don't see a cast as great as this one every day! "[4], The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reports that 67% of critics have given the film a positive rating, based on 12 reviews, with an average score of 7.4/10. What will Quiller do? This exciting movie belongs to spy sub-genre being developed during the cold war , it turns out to be a stirring thriller plenty of mystery , tension , high level of suspense , and a little bit of violence . He is British secret agent Kenneth Lindsay Jones. In a feint to see if Quiller will reveal more by oversight, Oktober decides to spare his life. True, Segal never seems to settle into the role of Quiller. Soon after his amorous encounter with Inge, Quiller is drugged on the street by a crafty hypodermic-wielding operative and wakes up in a seedy basement full of stern-looking Nazis in business attire. But for today's audiences, those films are a bit old fashioned and not always very easy to follow, too much complicated. The film starred George Segal in the lead role, with Alec Guinness supporting andwas nominated for three BAFTAs. THE SITE FOR DIE HARD CRIME & THRILLER FANS. I enjoyed this novel just as much (if not more) as the previous books that I have read, and I will certainly be purchasing any further Quiller novels that I come across in my exploration of second-hand bookshops. 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In 1966, the book was made into a successful film starring George Segal, Max Von Sydow, Senta Berger, and Alec Guinness. His Oktober does, however, serve as a one-man master class in hyperironic cordiality: Ah, Quiller! Directed by Michael Anderson; produced by Ivan Stockwell; screenplay by Harold Pinter; cinematography by Erwin Hiller; edited by Frederick Wilson; art direction by Maurice Carter; music by John Barry; starring George Segal, Max Von Sydow, Alec Guinness, Senta Berger, and guest stars George Stevens and Robert Helpmann. Quiller avoids answering Oktober's questions about Quiller's agency, until a doctor injects him with a truth serum, after which he reveals a few minor clues. Published chrismass61 Aug 21 2013 Oh, there are some problems, and Michael Anderson's direction is. It was time for kitchen-sink alternatives to the Bond films upper-crust Empire nostalgia, channeled as it was through a tuxedoed, priapic Anglo toff committing state-sponsored murder in service of Her Majestys postcolonial grudges. Without knowing where they have taken him, and even if it is indeed their base of operations, Quiller is playing an even more dangerous game as in the process he met schoolteacher Inge Lindt, who he starts to fall for, and as such may be used as a pawn by the Nazis to get the upper hand on Quiller. The Quiller Memorandum is based on Adam Hall's thriller novel about neo-Nazism in contemporary Germany. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. When they find, Quiller gives the phone number of his base to Inge and investigates the place. By day, the city is presented so beautifully, it's hard to imagine that such ugly things are going on amidst it. After two British agents are assassinated in Berlin by a group of Neo-Nazis, the British Secret Service assign Quiller to locate and identify the culprits. The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels by Janice Hallett, Norwegian crime show Witch Hunt comes to Walter Presents, The Wall: Quebec crime show comes to More4, Irish crime drama North Sea Connection comes to BBC Four, The complete guide to Mick Herrons Slough House series. The former was a bracingly pessimistic Cold War alternative to freewheeling Bondian optimism that featured burnout boozer actor Richard Burton in an all-too-convincing performance as burnout boozer spy Alec Leamus. Or was she simply a lonely Samaritan who altruistically beds the socially awkward American spy to help prevent a Fourth Reich? It's not often that one wishes so much for a main character to get killed, especially by NAZI's. The only really interesting thing is the way we're left spoiler: click to read in the end. The Quiller Memorandum by Adam Hall | Goodreads NR. He walks down the same street where Jones was shot, but finds he is followed by Oktober's men. Quiller then returns to his hotel, followed by the men who remain outside. And considering how terrible its one fight scene is, it's certainly a blessing that it doesn't have any more. But don't let it fool you for one minutenor Mr. Segal, nor Senta Berger as the girl. He sounded about as British as Leo Carillo or Cher. The setting is Cold War-divided Berlinwhere Quillertackles a threat from a group ofneo-Nazis whocall themselves Phoenix. Hengel gives Quiller the few items found on Jones: a bowling alley ticket, a swimming pool ticket and a newspaper article about a Nazi war criminal found teaching at a school. Oktober demands Quiller reveal the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) base by dawn or Inge will be killed. I know several spy fiction fans who rate Quiller highly; I'd read a couple and thought they were only OK, plus seen and enjoyed the film (which fans of the novel tend to dislike). Pol tells Quiller the fascist underground is far more organized and powerful in Germany than people believe. The Neo-Nazis want to know the location of British operations and similarly, the British want to know the location of the Neo-Nazis' headquarters. Variety wrote that "it relies on a straight narrative storyline, simple but holding, literate dialog and well-drawn characters". Probably the most famous example of a solid American type playing an Englishman is Clark Gable from Mutiny On The Bounty. Write by: The book is built around a continual number of reveals. The Quiller Memorandum | Mountain Xpress Whats more, not even Harold Pinter can inject Segals Quiller with anything like the cutting cynicism and dark humor that made Alec Leamus such a formidably wretched character. I read it in two evenings. Michael Anderson directs a classy slice of '60s spy-dom. The film was shot on location in West Berlin and in Pinewood . The Quiller Memorandum (1966) - Trivia - IMDb Press J to jump to the feed. I too read the Quiller novels years ago and found them thrilling and a great middle ground between the super-spy Bond stories and the realism of Le Carre. He accepts the assignment and almost immediately finds that he is being followed. Two British agents are murdered by a mysterious Neonazi organization in West Berlin. In . CIS: The Quiller Memorandum revisited | Crime Fiction Lover The love interest between Quiller and Inge (Senta Berger) developed with no foundation. Movie Info After two British Secret Intelligence Service agents are murdered at the hands of a cryptic neo-Nazi group known as Phoenix, the suave agent Quiller (George Segal) is sent to Berlin to. He calls Inge and arranges to meet. The film magnificently utilizes West German locations to bring the story to life. The Quiller Memorandum Reviews. Quiller admits to Inge that he is an "investigator" on the trail of neo-Nazis. The British Secret Service sends agent Quiller to investigate. During the car chase scene, the cars behind Quiller's Porsche appear and disappear, and are sometimes alongside his car, on the driver's (left) side. Hall (also known as Elleston Trevor and several other pseudonyms) seemed really to hate the Germans, or at least his character did. And whats more, Quillers espionage tale is free of the silly gimmicks and gadgetry that define the escapist Bond franchise. But Quiller is an equal to a James Bond, or a George Smiley. He is shot dead by an unseen gunman. No one really cared that Gable did not even attempt an English accent the film was that good. It is very rare that I find anyone else who is even aware of the Quiller books and yet they are as your reviewer mentions, absolutely first class. I thought the ending was Quller getting one last meeting with the nice babe and sending a warning to any remaining Nazis that they are being watched.