The defence The Prestige Tourist
“Form is the argument.”
Every composed frame and deliberate cut is evidence that control can be thrilling in its own right.
Back to trending 
The Spy Who Came In from the Cold
Drama · Thriller · 1965
British agent Alec Leamas refuses to come in from the Cold War during the 1960s, choosing to face another mission, which may prove to be his final one.
Movie details
The Spy Who Came In from the Cold
“Brace yourself for greatness.”
1965 Drama · Thriller 1h 52m
Critical arithmetic
One number, for now.
Scores change. Arguments endure.
TMDB
7.1 / 10
Community rating
British agent Alec Leamas refuses to come in from the Cold War during the 1960s, choosing to face another mission, which may prove to be his final one.
CriticWise case file
What this film says about your taste.
Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.
The archetype split
Who fights over The Spy Who Came In from the Cold?
For the defence
The Prestige Tourist
“You like your greatness pre-approved.”
Read their case For the prosecution
The Popcorn Loyalist
“Big screen, big feelings, no apologies.”
Read their objectionThe split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.
Taste neighbourhood
Nearby on the taste map.
TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.
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Nightmare Alley
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The Courier
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Cold War spy Greville Wynne and his Russian source try to put an end to the Cuban Missile Crisis.
The Falcon and the Snowman
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Topaz
Drama · 1969
Copenhagen, Denmark, 1962. When a high-ranking Soviet official decides to change sides, a French intelligence agent is caught up in a cold, silent and bloody spy war in which his own family will play a decisive role.
Snowden
Drama · 2016
CIA employee Edward Snowden leaks thousands of classified documents to the press.
Insomnia
Thriller · 2002
Two Los Angeles homicide detectives are dispatched to a northern town where the sun doesn't set to investigate the methodical murder of a local teen.
The House on Carroll Street
Drama · 1988
A reporter, fired after refusing to give names to a 1951 House Un-American Activities Committee, takes a part-time job as companion to an old lady. While working she overhears a noisy argument in the neighboring house, being conducted largely in German and involving her HUAC prosecutor. She begins to investigate, enlisting the help of the FBI Agent initially detailed to surveil her.
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Names above the title
The people responsible.
Cast & crew
Directed by
Martin Ritt
Written by
Guy Trosper · Paul Dehn
Richard Burton
Alec Leamas
Claire Bloom
Nancy 'Nan' Perry
Oskar Werner
Fiedler
Sam Wanamaker
Peters
George Voskovec
Comrade Karden - Defense Attorney
Rupert Davies
George Smiley
Cyril Cusack
Control
Court is in session
Put The Spy Who Came In from the Cold on trial.
Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.
The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist
“Technique in search of a pulse.”
Immaculate construction is still construction. The film may be too busy proving its craft to feel alive.