Non-Bond spy film recommendations?

chrisisall · September 2012

I've seen the Mission Impossible movies & liked 'em all well enough, and the Bourne movies (the first was real good), but not much else.
One movie I heartily recommend is Jackie Chan's The Accidental Spy (Chinese version; the American version is hacked to unrecognizable ribbons), it's a lot of fun.

So people, got any good ones to mention?

Mr Beech · September 2012

chrisisall wrote:

I've seen the Mission Impossible movies & liked 'em all well enough, and the Bourne movies (the first was real good), but not much else.
One movie I heartily recommend is Jackie Chan's The Accidental Spy (Chinese version; the American version is hacked to unrecognizable ribbons), it's a lot of fun.

So people, got any good ones to mention?

Well, these two are technically assassin films, but they go hand in hand based on how they operate in these films.

The American is pretty neat. It is sort of unique for a big movie in that it tries a lot of quieter, smaller production stuff with on location shooting, lots of quiet and scenery, more muted and precise conflict, and a rather solemn feeling all around. It is dark, but I found it to be more intriguing than the more exhilarating tendencies of other spy films.

It is inspired by both Bond and Spaghetti Westerns which both get referenced throughout. I thought it seemed more like it was meant to be a realistic interpretation of spy/assassin networking and how low they really might lay amongst the mundane society. I enjoyed it and all the quiet paranoia it puts in you as you wonder who's laying low out there besides our main character.

Another one is Hanna directed by Joe Wright (Pride & Prejudice, Atonement, Anna Karenina). This was like a way more impressively and stylishly filmed Bourne concept.

The movie is having plenty of fun as it goes with some really snappy and almost quirky action from the main characters, but all the while it is an adult assassin thriller.

The most impressive part is the fight choreography and cinematography. Unlike most films these days *cough*Bond/Bourne*cough* this movie has very few cuts in the fights, practically none in a couple of them. They just give a fantastic long view of the whole fight happening in all its force and precision.

Very cool and lots of style.

Mr Beech · September 2012

EDIT: Syriana is a good one. Supposedly one of the most realistic spy and intel films ever since it is based on a nonfiction book along with numerous consultants in similar international relations scenarios.

The film is noted for being almost impossible to fully understand, or even understand well at all, but few reviewers called it a problem and in fact it is considered consistent with the confusion of the grand plot for the characters themselves.

It is cut in a way that you feel like you are missing the key to solving the puzzle, and the characters seem to feel the same way. It is pretty well done with a lot of conversations about the shadowy work of governments, weapons, and trade.

It is more of a real spy and diplomatic drama than action or assassination.

Are you open to mystery/thrillers and smart crime films too?

chrisisall · September 2012

Mr Beech wrote:

Are you open to mystery/thrillers and smart crime films too?

Anything that's good I'm open to!

Oh, I DID see The Constant Gardener, and thought it was rather brilliant, if not so happy.

Le Samourai · September 2012

Mr Beech wrote:

chrisisall wrote:

I've seen the Mission Impossible movies & liked 'em all well enough, and the Bourne movies (the first was real good), but not much else.
One movie I heartily recommend is Jackie Chan's The Accidental Spy (Chinese version; the American version is hacked to unrecognizable ribbons), it's a lot of fun.

So people, got any good ones to mention?

Well, these two are technically assassin films, but they go hand in hand based on how they operate in these films.

The American is pretty neat. It is sort of unique for a big movie in that it tries a lot of quieter, smaller production stuff with on location shooting, lots of quiet and scenery, more muted and precise conflict, and a rather solemn feeling all around. It is dark, but I found it to be more intriguing than the more exhilarating tendencies of other spy films.

It is inspired by both Bond and Spaghetti Westerns which both get referenced throughout. I thought it seemed more like it was meant to be a realistic interpretation of spy/assassin networking and how low they really might lay amongst the mundane society. I enjoyed it and all the quiet paranoia it puts in you as you wonder who's laying low out there besides our main character.

Another one is Hanna directed by Joe Wright (Pride & Prejudice, Atonement, Anna Karenina). This was like a way more impressively and stylishly filmed Bourne concept.

The movie is having plenty of fun as it goes with some really snappy and almost quirky action from the main characters, but all the while it is an adult assassin thriller.

The most impressive part is the fight choreography and cinematography. Unlike most films these days *cough*Bond/Bourne*cough* this movie has very few cuts in the fights, practically none in a couple of them. They just give a fantastic long view of the whole fight happening in all its force and precision.

Very cool and lots of style.

Nice to see some appreciation of The American, which I felt was unjustly maligned. I loved that film. It owes quite a bit to the French movie I derived my screen name from. The book The American is based on, A Very Private Gentleman by Martin Booth, is also very good.

The Domino Effect · September 2012

I will third the praise for The American. I know a lot of people didn't like it and claimed it was pretentious and arty, but I couldn't help but wonder if that was at least in part because they were expecting something fast-moving and action-packed, which it certainly isn't. It has beautiful cinematography and tackles the murky world of assassination in a less violent more contemplative manner.

Le Samourai · September 2012

My all-time favorite spy film is The Ipcress File with Michael Caine. It's actually one of my Top 5 films, period. The acting, music, and cinematography are all superb.

Caine's later spy film, The Fourth Protocol, is also very good. Pierce Brosnan is great as a stone-cold KGB agent.

Ronin is another great (and underrated) spy film. Great ensemble casting, snappy David Mamet dialogue, and fantastic, non-CGI car chases. The movie has a good sense of place. You really get the feel for Southern France in the winter. I also like the cleverness and tradecraft skills of Robert DeNiro's character.

Speaking of Mamet, I really liked Spartan, too.

Marathon Man is only somewhat a spy film, but it is a fantastic movie and Roy Scheider's Scylla is one cool secret agent.

Though George Segal was a poor choice for Quiller, The Quiller Memorandum has a lot going for it.

For a fun, '60s era Bond-style movie, check out Deadlier Than the Male, featuring one-time potential 007 Richard Johnson. Also amusing are the recent OSS 117 films starring comic genius Jean Dujardin.

Mr Beech · September 2012

The American actually got overall positive reviews here in the US. Not universal praise, but generally positive.

Le Samourai wrote:

Nice to see some appreciation of The American, which I felt was unjustly maligned. I loved that film. It owes quite a bit to the French movie I derived my screen name from. The book The American is based on, A Very Private Gentleman by Martin Booth, is also very good.

I didn't know about those origins. I'll look into those works.

Mr Martini · September 2012

Take a look at Sneakers. I remember seeing this shortly after the first Mission Impossible. I did see some elements of Mission Impossible that were borrowed from Sneakers, I'm sure of it. Not too sure if Sneakers could be considered a Spy flick though.

Golrush007 · September 2012

The Ipcress File is definitely one of the best non-Bond spy films. In a sense, an anti-Bond (unglamourous working class spy), but made by many of the Bond team - Harry Saltzman, Peter Hunt, Ken Adam, John Barry. A truly great film, followed by two sequels: Funeral in Berlin and Billion Dollar Brain. Neither are of the same standard as Ipcress but both are enjoyable in their own right.

I'm also partial to films based on the John Le Carre books. Very different from Bond, they involved very little action, but tons of intrigue. Last year's Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy was excellent. The 1965 film The Spy Who Came in from the Cold is a classic. I haven't seen The Tailor of Panama - starring Pierce Brosnan - but I have heard that it is also good. The two BBC miniseries starring Alec Guinness as George Smiley are also great viewing.

GordoLeiter · September 2012

Spy Hard with Leslie Nielsen is a hillarious spoof of James Bond, id recomend it

Hardyboy · September 2012

The Spy Who Came in From the Cold, based on Le Carre's novel, is one of the best spy films ever made--a good look at the Cold War and at the "sordid" side of spying.

Lexi · September 2012

Le Samourai wrote:

My all-time favorite spy film is The Ipcress File with Michael Caine. It's actually one of my Top 5 films, period. The acting, music, and cinematography are all superb.

Golrush007 wrote:

The Ipcress File is definitely one of the best non-Bond spy films. In a sense, an anti-Bond (unglamourous working class spy), but made by many of the Bond team - Harry Saltzman, Peter Hunt, Ken Adam, John Barry. A truly great film, followed by two sequels: Funeral in Berlin and Billion Dollar Brain. Neither are of the same standard as Ipcress but both are enjoyable in their own right.

Funnily enough, The Ipcress File is on ITV today... so it's on record

Love Michael Cain... so looking fwd to watching it. -{

Golrush007 · September 2012

You're in for a treat, Lexi! It's Michael Caine at his best.

Number24 · September 2012

The Ipcress File and Thinker, Tailor .. are great. While I liked the style and acting of the American, the ending destroyed it for me. I don't want to spoil it, but I think it was completely illogical.

chrisisall · January 2015

I saw one years & years ago that was fascinating- Code Name: Heraclitus. It had the strangest editing style I ever came across, cutting abruptly front to side & back. I'd love to see it again.
Then there was this strange little one starring Kate Capshaw called Code Name: Dancer. Another one I haven't seen since the 90's. I remember it being interesting.
When I was a wee laddie I saw Puppet On A Chain & When Eight Bells Toll at drive-ins. I so don't remember them. I think I need to fix that.

James Suzuki · January 2015

If you like this cinema, this is the list of spy Films and Spy parodies coming out this year
Mortdecai
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aW_sfxUnbZA
Kingsman: The Secret Service
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kl8F-8tR8to
Spy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAqxH0IAPQI
The Man from UNCLE
Spectre
Mission Impossible 5

Thunderpussy · January 2015

When eight held toll, is an all time favourite of mine. {[] Hopkins is
Brilliant in it and Robert Morley as his Boss is also a fantastic comedy
Relief. The story is intriguing, the village has a " wicker man" quality to
It, all in all a great film.
The day of the jackal, another classic ( I'm rewatching it now

) ) Edward
Fox is on great form. Oddly enough it has been said that Roger Moore was
In the running for this film.

chrisisall · January 2015

Thunderpussy wrote:

When eight held toll, is an all time favourite of mine.

Like I said, I saw it but can't remember it. I think was having too much fun with the popcorn, soda & Junior Mints...
How about Puppet on a Chain?
Oh hell, I'll have to just get them both. Birthday's coming!

Moore Than · January 2015

Thunderpussy wrote:

The day of the jackal, another classic ( I'm rewatching it now ) ) Edward
Fox is on great form. Oddly enough it has been said that Roger Moore was
In the running for this film.

Roger Moore wanted the role. The producer, John Woolf, liked the idea, but the director, Fred Zimmerman, did not. According to Roger, on meeting Zimmerman a couple of years later, he asked him, "Why wouldn't you want me?" Zimmerman replied, "You're too well-known. And you can't walk through a crowd and not be noticed. You don't look ordinary."

Thunderpussy · January 2015

Alas, Sir Roger and I share the same Problem !

)

chrisisall · January 2015

I can see his point.

BIG TAM · January 2015

Hardyboy wrote:

The Spy Who Came in From the Cold, based on Le Carre's novel, is one of the best spy films ever made--a good look at the Cold War and at the "sordid" side of spying.

Another great Le Carre film adaptation is THE DEADLY AFFAIR (1966). Directed by the great Sidney Lumet, starring James Mason, Maximilian Schell & Simone Signoret. It's the customary study of a lonely profession full of people who are good at a job they hate.

Number24 · January 2015

The Domino Effect wrote:

I will third the praise for The American. I know a lot of people didn't like it and claimed it was pretentious and arty, but I couldn't help but wonder if that was at least in part because they were expecting something fast-moving and action-packed, which it certainly isn't. It has beautiful cinematography and tackles the murky world of assassination in a less violent more contemplative manner.

I liked The American until the last scene that made no sense at all to me.

The Red Kind · January 2015

Number24 wrote:

The Domino Effect wrote:

I will third the praise for The American. I know a lot of people didn't like it and claimed it was pretentious and arty, but I couldn't help but wonder if that was at least in part because they were expecting something fast-moving and action-packed, which it certainly isn't. It has beautiful cinematography and tackles the murky world of assassination in a less violent more contemplative manner.

I liked The American until the last scene that made no sense at all to me.

What didn't you understand Number24?

The Red Kind · January 2015

When Eight Bells Toll is a good film. A young Anthony Hopkins in a gritty Bond type role (was supposed to be a series of films but they only made one). I love it.

Enjoyed Body of Lies. Much better than I thought it would be.

Non Spy film but Pierce is excellent in Butterfly on a Wheel. A good thriller.

always shaken · January 2015

The Fourth Protocol ,stars Brosnan as the baddie this time and Caine as the M15 man, a great basic spy thriller , old battered vans,
sterling sub-machine guns, the SAS, its all there folks

The Red Kind · January 2015

always shaken wrote:

The Fourth Protocol ,stars Brosnan as the baddie this time and Caine as the M15 man, a great basic spy thriller , old battered vans,
sterling sub-machine guns, the SAS, its all there folks

The Fourth Protocol is great. Has a nice 80's feel. Caine, Brosnan and Zak Dingle

) all excellent!

Non-Bond spy film recommendations?

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