Movie Reviews by Edwin Jahiel

THREE DAYS OF THE CONDOR (1975)

Mild, scholarly Robert Redford, a reader for the CIA, stumbles upon some texts which set killers after him. Interesting cast includes Faye Dunaway, Cliff Robertson,a particularly nasty and complex Max Von Sydow, John Houseman. Good, mostly gripping, arguably still topical thriller, involves secret relations between the USA and OPEC countries. It is rather literate, has fine twists, a good script (Lorenzo Semple and David Rayfiel) , a good director ( Sydney Pollack) and does well by the familiar theme of the worm turning. It has a great start in every way, tension, mystery, suspense, photography, sets, rhythm. The middle part is middling and muddyish, before things pick up again. Redford's hi-tech prowess --he had also worked in the Signal Corps and for the telephone company -- presages his role in the inferior "Sneakers" (1992). From the novel "Six Days of the Condor" which, I suppose , would have made a film twice as long. When shown in its original widescreen it makes the film even more recommendable. (Edwin Jahiel)