The Quiller Memorandum

Watching The Quiller Memorandum is like watching a Bond movie (the Sean Connery ones) on a smaller budget. That's not to say that this movie doesn't have its own share of car chases, hot ladies and heart pounding explosions. It does. It just lacks the fast paced action.

Quiller (George Segal) is a MI6 operative, sent to West Berlin to investigate the murder of two former agents. While there he is told by his informant (Alec Guinness) to continue the work of his predecessors and uncover the HQ of a group of neo-Nazis, who want to return the fatherland to its previous position of power. Quiller must find out where they live before their leader (Max von Sydow) finds him.

The fact that it was made in 1966 tells you straight off that you aren't going to see a thriller in the style of the Bourne series, or even that of the Bond movies (although the first 007s were made in the early Sixties), but as far as thrillers go it aint half bad. The plot is simple enough, although the explosions, car chases and hot women are a little scarce, the exception being Senta Berger, who plays the love interest.

The thing I liked was the ending. It just ends. It's wrapped up in a nice little bow, with a phone call that leaves you a bit annoyed - or maybe that's just me. With the type of thrillers out there now (The Bourne, Bond and M I series), you expect there to be a Big Twist at the end about one of the good guys working for the bad guy and you're too preocupied with girls/cars/explosions to notice.

The Quiller Memorandum is not like that, although there are a few characters, who appear ... well, let's not give it away.