Post by legios on Dec 5, 2007 23:07:09 GMT
Partially spawned by the previous thread, I got started in thinking about non-James Bond related espionage stuff that I like, and was surprised to find that there wasn't that much around that really worked for me.
In print media there aren't really any spy-types that really float my boat. I lean more towards the self-reliant P.I. compared to the spy.
I could enter Robert B Parker's "A Catskill Eagle" here, as it has Spenser and Hawk doing some off-the-books work for the CIA, but it doesn't really feel it fits into the genre really - it is more the case that Spenser and Hawk reshape the espionage arena to fit their style than the other way around.
In movies I have a liking for "The Ipcress File" - which features almost an Anti-Bond kind of setup. Spies skulking around cold and windy London instead of exotic locales, and expenses forms instead of casino tables.
I quite liked "The Bourne Identity" - a piece of pure tosh that has itself badly confused with serious drama but manages to still be quite enjoyable. The sequel not so much - it has its moments (a fight in a kitchen choreagraphed using what is either Krav Maga or Silat would have been quite memorable if the direction had actually worked with it a little instead of concentrating on being all "jerky Cam") but really isn't as interesting.
I have a bit of a soft spot for Spy Game as well - another film that is far from entirely serious. But for a film that is basically intended as a "romp" it does well at getting its tradecraft right (and more of the film than you might think is actually based on real incidents). It also has the advantage of Robert Redford - a much under-rated actor who puts in a very good turn as an old-school CIA case officer.
Actually Robert Redford is the connecting link between that film and "Sneakers" which straddles the gap between espionage and caper movie (although it probably lands more towards caper movie I am giving it the benefit of the doubt here). This ones actually a contender for my favourite movie ever - it has a nice light touch but still manages to spin a nice web of deceit and trickery. I also like the fact that it has heroes whose first resort isn't to use violence (which is a blessing for them, seeing as they are so incredibly bad at it when they do try), along with some wonderfully quotable dialogue. ("You're right, I cannot kill me friend" *turns to henchman* "Kill my friend")
Anyone else got any non-Bond espionage type stuff they are particularly fond of?
Karl
In print media there aren't really any spy-types that really float my boat. I lean more towards the self-reliant P.I. compared to the spy.
I could enter Robert B Parker's "A Catskill Eagle" here, as it has Spenser and Hawk doing some off-the-books work for the CIA, but it doesn't really feel it fits into the genre really - it is more the case that Spenser and Hawk reshape the espionage arena to fit their style than the other way around.
In movies I have a liking for "The Ipcress File" - which features almost an Anti-Bond kind of setup. Spies skulking around cold and windy London instead of exotic locales, and expenses forms instead of casino tables.
I quite liked "The Bourne Identity" - a piece of pure tosh that has itself badly confused with serious drama but manages to still be quite enjoyable. The sequel not so much - it has its moments (a fight in a kitchen choreagraphed using what is either Krav Maga or Silat would have been quite memorable if the direction had actually worked with it a little instead of concentrating on being all "jerky Cam") but really isn't as interesting.
I have a bit of a soft spot for Spy Game as well - another film that is far from entirely serious. But for a film that is basically intended as a "romp" it does well at getting its tradecraft right (and more of the film than you might think is actually based on real incidents). It also has the advantage of Robert Redford - a much under-rated actor who puts in a very good turn as an old-school CIA case officer.
Actually Robert Redford is the connecting link between that film and "Sneakers" which straddles the gap between espionage and caper movie (although it probably lands more towards caper movie I am giving it the benefit of the doubt here). This ones actually a contender for my favourite movie ever - it has a nice light touch but still manages to spin a nice web of deceit and trickery. I also like the fact that it has heroes whose first resort isn't to use violence (which is a blessing for them, seeing as they are so incredibly bad at it when they do try), along with some wonderfully quotable dialogue. ("You're right, I cannot kill me friend" *turns to henchman* "Kill my friend")
Anyone else got any non-Bond espionage type stuff they are particularly fond of?
Karl