I am a huge fan of Len Deighton's book and the first 2 films made of his first spy novels.
But Billion Dollar Brain is the worst book of the early books and the film makes a bad film of a weak book.
If the first 2 films (THE IPCRESS FILE and FUNERAL IN BERLIN) are loved for their realism then this film must be viewed as a failure due to its lack of realism.
The plot concerns a a Texan oil millionaire supporting anti Soviet groups in Latvia.
The screenplay is by a well known far left playwright so it pokes fun at the idea of lack of freedom in the Eastern bloc but we know now how bad things were in the USSR.
I think the screenplay author must have read Soviet propaganda before adapting the book.
Caine does not impress in this film,and I am a big fan.
On the plus side the film looks beautiful at points.
Location work is in Finland and it looks great.
But Billion Dollar Brain is the worst book of the early books and the film makes a bad film of a weak book.
If the first 2 films (THE IPCRESS FILE and FUNERAL IN BERLIN) are loved for their realism then this film must be viewed as a failure due to its lack of realism.
The plot concerns a a Texan oil millionaire supporting anti Soviet groups in Latvia.
The screenplay is by a well known far left playwright so it pokes fun at the idea of lack of freedom in the Eastern bloc but we know now how bad things were in the USSR.
I think the screenplay author must have read Soviet propaganda before adapting the book.
Caine does not impress in this film,and I am a big fan.
On the plus side the film looks beautiful at points.
Location work is in Finland and it looks great.