Eye of the Needle (1981)

Plenty to Like, Plenty to Dislike

Highly Overrated But Still Good

Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.

I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.

Hiding behind the mask of calm solitude, Nazi German spy Donald Sutherland is as quiet a killing machine as he is a lover. Having British secrets on the intention of a full scale on Germany, Sutherland doesn't hesitate to knife anybody who stands in his way, even co-conspirators he feels might reveal too much if captured. While trying to get the information to a German submarine, his boat capsizes, and he ends up on a British island where he is nursed back to health by the unhappily married Kate Nelligan and Christopher Cazenove, crippled in a car accident on their wedding night. Sutherland's presence brings out a longing for love by Nelligan and suspicion by Cazenove, and as Nelligan gets clues of her own, she realizes that she's fallen in love with a monster. Subtle and mesmerizing, this gives an on-site into the insanity which took over the minds who chose to follow the Nazi regime. The story switches back and forth between the British investigation as to his whereabouts and Nelligan's plot to prevent him from going any further. The strength of individuals determined to stop evil keeps you on the edge of your seat, and the fact that Sutherland delivers such a quiet, often thoughtful performance, makes his character all the more creepy. This may not be in the realm of other recent Nazi related movies (such as "Marathon Man" and "The Boys From Brazil"), but it's extremely riveting none the less.

This film is maybe a lost treasure, and it deserves to be more well known than it actually is. This is a fascinating and intense spy movie, and the plot takes place during the second world war. Donald Sutherland plays the part of the spy very convincing, ice cold and a character with a ruthless determination to get what he wants, really at all costs. The film is very well done, and eventually ends up as a story of lost love, and hard measures that needs to be taken. The casting is brilliant, and I think the films atmosphere really manages to take you back in a world in war, and different peoples way of life in these circumstances. This makes this film authentic and complete. (sorry about my English)

The year is 1944, and a German spy (code-name: "the Needle") has photos that could damage the Allies' plans for D-Day. While trying to get the photos to a U-boat, he is shipwrecked on a remote island off the coast of Scotland, which is home to a disabled man, his lonely wife, and their child.This movie is very intense and scary, thanks to Donald Sutherland who plays the Needle, a cold and calculating killer who racks up quite a body count. He's convincing even though his British accent isn't. Kate Nelligan costars as the needy wife who rescues him and quickly falls for him. Her British accent is quite good and she is excellent in the part.The rain-soaked island with waves crashing on its cliffs is picturesque at times and also very claustrophobic and creepy at the end. Miklos Rosza's ("Ben-Hur") chilling score adds to the excitement. The last half hour had me on the edge of my seat. Recommended for those who like WWII thrillers. With violence and nudity.

Another role for donald sutherland playing a German following on from 'the eagle has landed' but in this film donald sutherland plays central character and is main star. An intriguing film and a great story again about a German spy in the uk. It makes for tension, drama and suspense because he's placed with an unsuspecting family and part of tension is that he has romance with his hosts wife as well being undercover spy making contact with Germany. the rugged scenery of Scottish isles where spy donald sutherland is stranded adds to film. good scenes include where spy sutherland reveals ruthless side and when spies identity discovered. a film more subdued than faster moving 'eagle has landed' but good film to watch