Eye of the Needle

Eye of the Needle (1981)

Genres - Mystery, Thriller  |   Sub-Genres - Unglamorized Spy Film, War Spy Film, Romantic Drama  |   Release Date - Jul 24, 1981 (USA - Unknown), Jul 24, 1981 (USA)  |   Run Time - 110 min.  |   Countries - United Kingdom, United States  |   MPAA Rating - R
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Synopsis by Hal Erickson

Having already been seen spying for the Nazis in 1979's The Eagle Has Landed, Donald Sutherland once more infiltrates wartime England on behalf of Der Fuhrer in Eye of the Needle. Willing to kill even the most innocent of bystanders to complete his task, Sutherland manages to remain in Britain until the eve of D-Day in 1944. Discovering that the invasion is to take place on Normandy, Sutherland scurries to rendezvous with a U-boat off the treacherous Isle of Storms. His mission is thwarted by Kate Nelligan, the frustrated wife of paralyzed RAF commander Christopher Cazenove. Though having fallen in love with Sutherland, Nelligan nonetheless prepares to turn the man in when he kills her husband. Tension mounts in the closing scene as Sutherland races against time to (a) make contact with the U-boat and (b) stop Nelligan before she blows the whistle on him.

Characteristics

Keywords

espionage, political-intrigue, Nazism, patriotism, spy, D-Day, disguise, stranded, extramarital-affair, railroad, submarine, war, barnstorming, cycling

Attributes

High Production Values