for a WW2 story from 1981,this one is pretty good.it does movie slow at times though.it is also pretty low key for this kind of film.this movie is much more character driven and relies on its two main players to really carry the film,and that they do.Donald Sutherland plays a German spy with ice in his veins who has no problem with murder when it suits his needs.so really he is also an assassin of sorts.he's sort of a Carlos the Jackal type character who may have been a real assassin who was a chameleon and who eluded authorities and was never captured or possibly even seen.anyway back to the movie.Kate Nelligan plays the love interest(and more than that) and does well in the role.Christopher Cazenov plays David,Lucy's(Kate Nelligan) husband in a very strong supporting performance. the movie has its share of suspense and action,but again it's low key.i found the writing quite good.it's based on a novel by Ken Follett.one thing that stood out in this movie is its subtlety.there's no over the top rah rah rah attitude that's evident in many later movies.but then this is a German/English production and not an American made movie.the point is,it's refreshing to see a well written story with well written characters that doesn't bombard your senses with sentimentality and inspirational pap.i liked this movie quite a bit.i give "Eye of the Needle" a 7/10
Review of Eye of the Needle
