The Spy Who Came in from the Cold Overview:

The Spy Who Came in from the Cold (1965) was a Drama - Film Adaptation Film directed by Martin Ritt and produced by Martin Ritt.

Academy Awards 1965 --- Ceremony Number 38 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best ActorRichard BurtonNominated
Best Art DirectionArt Direction: Hal Pereira, Tambi Larsen, Edward Marshall; Set Decoration: Josie MacAvinNominated
.

BlogHub Articles:

The Spy Who Came In from the Cold (1965)

By Beatrice on Nov 19, 2018 From Flickers in Time

The Spy Who Came In from the Cold Directed by Martin Ritt Written by Paul Dehn and Guy Trosper from the novel by John Le Carre 1965/UK Salem Films Limited Repeat viewing/Netflix rental Possibly the saddest spy movie ever made. ?Also one of the best. Alec Leamas (Richard Burton) has been head of Brit... Read full article


The Spy Who Came in From the Cold (1965)

By 4 Star Film Fan on Sep 14, 2016 From 4 Star Films

Adapted from the John le Carr?novel, this is a black & white spy thriller that personifies cold war paranoia in ways that Bond never could.?Richard Burton is an operative working in Berlin before being demoted to a librarian job. It looks like our narrative is heading in a direction hardly fit ... Read full article


The Spy Who Came in From the Cold (1965)

By 4 Star Film Fan on Sep 14, 2016 From 4 Star Films

Adapted from the John le Carr?novel, this is a black & white spy thriller that personifies cold war paranoia in ways that Bond never could.?Richard Burton is an operative working in Berlin before being demoted to a librarian job. It looks like our narrative is heading in a direction hardly fit ... Read full article


See all The Spy Who Came in from the Cold articles

Quotes from

Alec Leamas: What the hell do you think spies are? Moral philosophers measuring everything they do against the word of God or Karl Marx? They're not! They're just a bunch of seedy, squalid bastards like me: little men, drunkards, queers, hen-pecked husbands, civil servants playing cowboys and Indians to brighten their rotten little lives. Do you think they sit like monks in a cell, balancing right against wrong?


Nan Perry: Well, they returned you to me. I'm so grateful. So grateful! I cut tonight's party meeting.
Alec Leamas: Oh, well, well! Thank you for putting me above history.


Alec Leamas: [Yawns]
Peters: Tired?
Alec Leamas: Aren't you?
Peters: No, I didn't have any drink with my supper.
Alec Leamas: I didn't have any supper with my drink.


read more quotes from The Spy Who Came in from the Cold...

Facts about

Burt Lancaster was originally attached to play Alec Leamas.
In the room in East Germany where Leamas is interrogated by Fiedler, the wallpaper is of English design ("Marigold" by William Morris).
David Lodge says in his memoirs he had disastrous interview with Martin Ritt for the part of Patmore.
read more facts about The Spy Who Came in from the Cold...
Share this page:
Visit the Classic Movie Hub Blog CMH
Best Actor Oscar 1965






See more Best Actor awards>>
Also directed by Martin Ritt




More about Martin Ritt >>
Also produced by Martin Ritt




More about Martin Ritt >>
Related Lists
Create a list


See All Related Lists >>
Also released in 1965




See All 1965 films >>
More "Cold War" films



See All "Cold War" films >>
More "Spies" films



See All "Spies" films >>