British civil servant Judith Farrow (a fine portrayal by Julie Andrews) meets and falls in love with Feodor Sverdlov (a solid and charming performance by Omar Sharif), who turns out to be a Russian agent who may or may not be interested in recruiting Judith to become a spy for him.
Writer/director Blake Edwards relates the engrossing story at a steady pace, makes nice use of various exotic locations, generates some genuine tension in the last third, and brings a smart and sophisticated sensibility to the premise as well as grounds said premise in a rather drab, but persuasive realistic context. Moreover, Andrews and Sharif make for appealing and attractive leads; they receive sturdy support from Anthony Quayle as slimy toad Jack Loder, Dan O'Herlithy as sneaky undercover operative Fergus Stephenson, Sylvia Syms as Ferguson's bitter wife Margaret, and Oskar Homolka as the shifty General Golitsyn. Both John Barry's lush score and Freddie Young's handsome widescreen cinematography are up to par. A bit slow and talky in spots, but overall a worthwhile and enjoyable film.
Writer/director Blake Edwards relates the engrossing story at a steady pace, makes nice use of various exotic locations, generates some genuine tension in the last third, and brings a smart and sophisticated sensibility to the premise as well as grounds said premise in a rather drab, but persuasive realistic context. Moreover, Andrews and Sharif make for appealing and attractive leads; they receive sturdy support from Anthony Quayle as slimy toad Jack Loder, Dan O'Herlithy as sneaky undercover operative Fergus Stephenson, Sylvia Syms as Ferguson's bitter wife Margaret, and Oskar Homolka as the shifty General Golitsyn. Both John Barry's lush score and Freddie Young's handsome widescreen cinematography are up to par. A bit slow and talky in spots, but overall a worthwhile and enjoyable film.