I have become somewhat obsessed with spy films after watching Skyfall and Argo recently and the brilliant new The Americans series from Fox. So I thought I'd make a list of my favourite spy films.
THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO LITTLE
Bill Murray stars as naive video shop worker Wallace Ritchie in this Hitchcock-style thriller who travels from Des Moines, Iowa, to London to celebrate hiswealthy younger brother's birthday - turning up unannounced on the same night that his brother has plans to attend a high-profile client dinner party. Needing to keep Wallace away during the evening, he buys him a ticket to the Theatre of Life to keep him entertained for the evening.
The game of street theatre requires Wallace to assume a character and follow the actions of those he meets. However while waiting in the phone box to receive his instructions to begin the game, he picks up the wrong call and the the phone instructions Wallace receives are actually intended for an assassin, part of a scheme to end the current UK regime and restart the Cold War. Blissfully unaware, Wallace walks without fear into a complex web of intrigue involving politicians, call girls, and Russian spies. As an international plot unravels around him, he thinks it's all part of the act while his pursuers are mystified by his fearlessness in the face of danger.
(Rule of thumb – if theres a Bill Murray film in a genre it will be one of my favourites)
THE BOURNE TRILOGY
I'm cheating here a little but I couldnt just pick one of them; though the latter two directed by Paul Greengrass are the better of the three. The trilogy sees Matt Damon star as Jason Bourne in this spy thriller that turned the genre, and especially James Bond, on its head; exchanging slow paced espionage for fast paced action. The first instalment sees Matt Damon searching for his identity after being pulled from the sea unconcious. The second two instalments see our hero set out for revenge upon the members of the government agency who were responsible for him entering their world and then for everything that has happened to him ever since. The Bourne films are complex and the mystery surrounding Bourne's past and who he really is what really keep up the suspense along with yet another fine role from Matt Damon.
AUSTIN POWERS: INTERNATIONAL MAN OF MYSTERY
Unlike the Bourne Films here I had to pick the first – and the best – Austin Powers film; the second one has it's moments but the great lines are from this film and let's not even mention Goldmember; Austin Powers sees Mike Myers, expanding on another SNL short after Wayne's World, he artfully plays both Austin Powers, the quintessential English Gent, complete with bad teeth and a Beatles haircut, as well as the imaginatively named baddie Dr. Evil. After being frozen in the 1960s, incase his nemesis would one day return, they wake him up and partner him with Elizabeth Hurley's character, Vanessa, in an attempt to thwart Dr. Evil's plan to take over the world. Mike Myers' comedy is at his best here. It is offbeat and clever throughout. Puns, laughs and a bit of blue - what's not to love?
MISSION:IMPOSSIBLE
I am not a massive fan of Tom Cruise films generally, but I was about 7 when this was released and saw it at the cinemas - I even bought a Brit Award album for the theme tune.
Based on the original 1960s show we see Tom Cruise play agent Ethan Hunt, who, after being framed for the deaths of his entire team, try to clear his name. His quest takes him into the depths of the CIA headquarters at Langley and across europe, before face masks, hi-tech gadgets and chewing gum saves the day.
Still the best of the series (though I still havent managed to watch the latest) largely because of it's clever plot and a brilliant supporting cast.
MUNICH
Not your usual espionage film; Steven Spielberg's Oscar nominated film tells of a squad of assassins, led by Mossad agent Avner, played by Eric Bana, hunting down and killing members of the Black September members thought to be responsible for the murders of eleven Israeli athletes at the 1972 Olympics in Munich. Based on, but not completely true to, (Spielberg describes it as 'historical fiction;) Munich tells the story of the real-life Operation Wrath of God. Munich mixes standard spy thrills with some of the controversial debate around Israeli intelligence.
It's proved controversial for bending the truth so it never going to please everyone, but it shows you why Spielberg is a cinematic great and captures the feel and mentality of the time, with a beautifully crafted international spy thriller.
CHRIS
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