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The Whistle Blower [DVD] (1987)
Product ID: 57457407
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Product Description Nigel Havers plays Bob, a Russian translator at G.C.H.Q., in Cheltenham. When a colleague is tried and convicted of spying, paranoia takes over the department. Bob is mysteriously found dead, which shatters his father Frank (Michael Caine), especially when the verdict of accidental death is given. This forces Frank to make his own investigation into his son's death even though the Government will try its hardest to protect its own secret activities. From .co.uk A 1987 espionage thriller, The Whistle Blower stars Michael Caine as Frank Jones, a businessman and regular patriotic war veteran whose son Bob (Nigel Havers) is a Russian linguist who works at GCHQ. Bob begins to express doubts to his father about aspects of his work; days later, police report to Frank that his son has died in a fall. A verdict of accidental death is recorded. However, in the midst of his grief, Frank is puzzled by aspects of the death and decides to conduct his own investigation. In so doing he finds himself pitted against an utterly unscrupulous Secret Service prepared to stop at nothing, including murder, to cover up their operations. Set at the time when concerns about GCHQ were at their height and the Cold War had yet to thaw, many of the film's concerns seem, years subsequently, to be thankfully dated. Moreover, it's hard to believe that the bumbling British Secret Services would actually be capable of organising a convivial soiree in a brewery, let alone orchestrate the sort of skulduggery they perpetrate here. Still, with a cast that features all the usual British suspects (Sir John Gielgud, James Fox, Gordon Jackson) there's no doubting the pedigree of The Whistle Blower, which, despite its ostensibly uncomfortable message, actually makes for very agreeable comfort viewing. Michael Caine is especially fine as Michael Caine. --David Stubbs P.when('A').execute(function(A) { A.on('a:expander:toggle_description:toggle:collapse', function(data) { window.scroll(0, data.expander.$expander[0].offsetTop-100); }); }); From the Back Cover Frank Jones is an ordinary law abiding businessman. He served his country during the war, and he is very proud of his son Bob, a Russian linguist and translator. Frank's world is shattered by the arrival of the police to tell him his son is dead. 'Accidental Death' is the verdict at the inquest, and so the plot thickens. The father embarks on his own investigation into his son's death and discovers that there are no limits to what the government will do to protect it's secret activities. When He finally unravels the truth, he takes matters into his own hands in a sensational climax to the film! See more
M**E
Britannia Besmirched!
Excellent post Harry Palmer, thriller from Michael Caine,realistic in its content and storyline,which is set in the seventies,,and perhaps still too close to the politically inspired chicanery that passes for "developing International cooperations and relationships,etc'"in today's troubled times.Caine,a retired Fleet Air Arm pilot,is the father of a university educated young man,married and with a family,working at GCHQ Cheltenham,who begins to have doubts about the "rightness" of what he does there,and foolishly starts to talk about it Caine becomes worried about the situation and attempts to convince his son to keep his mouth shut but all to no avail.The plot thickens from there,and,disloyalty and betrayal feature strongly in the mix. There is a twist in the tale of the plot,and the story has a very thoughtful,emotional ending,which does nothing to assure the viewer that its just a piece of dramatic fiction!.. This is a far more serious movie than the Harry Palmer Series,this is Caine on the top of his game,dealing with a meaty,disturbing subject, so buy it and you won't be disappointed!.
A**R
Sterling performances
Beginning with the annual Ceremony of Remembrance at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, Michael Caine, Sir John Gielgud, James Fox and a first-rate gathering of British actors show how the Cold War and divided loyalties affected the upper levels of British society before Glasnost. Diamond performances from Caine and Gielgud in the final scenes.
M**T
An excellent espionage film with Michael Caine
**THIS MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS**Frank Jones (Michael Caine) is an ordinary law abiding businessman. He served his country during the war, and he is very proud of his son Bob (Nigel Havers), a Russian linguist and translator. Frank's world is shattered by the arrival of the police to tell him his son is dead. "Accidental Death" is the verdict at the inquest, and so the plot thickens. The father embarks on his own investigation into his son's death and discovers that there are no limits to what the government will do to protect its secret activities. When he finally unravels the truth, he takes matters into his own hands in a sensational climax to the film!I bought The Whistle Blower last year after having heard about it from a mate of mine who thought the film wasn't too bad, so because of that I felt I should buy it. And you know what? I'm glad I did because I thought it was brilliant, and just a few weeks ago I bought the novel of the same name by John Hale which the film is based on.As well as Michael Caine and Nigel Havers, this film also starred quite a few well known actors such as James Fox, Sir John Gielgud, Gordon Jackson and Barry Foster. The film was produced by Geoff Reeve and directed by Simon Langton, the son of actor David Langton who also appeared in the film. Other credits for the film, the screenplay was written by Julian Bond, the director of photography was Fred Tammes and the music was composed and conducted by John Scott.Overall, The Whistle Blower is a really good film to watch. In fact, as soon as I've finished reading the novel of the same name, I must watch this film again to see how closely it follows the book. Very highly recommended.
K**R
Only just.
I like Michael Caine a lot. Many of his film appearances have given me great pleasure over the years.With this film though I struggle a bit.I find the storyline is not very well told.Then there are events that just wouldn't happen.These are criticisms I have levelled at many a film but other things in some films carry them through.With this film there isn't for me much redeeming content.It's only my opinion but I feel Michael Caine, John Gielgud, Gordon Jackson and Nigel Havers all first rate performers deserved better.That said I watched it through and just about liked it.
D**Y
Good Cold War film.
Good film from the 80s, straightforward plot along the lines of us and them, however a solid cast with some of the great actors of British film, Gordon Jackson puts in a rare role of a shady character. I have one little niggle, this film should have been 15 minutes longer to tie up some loose ends but this is just a niggle. Enjoyable for a wet Saturday afternoon.
M**S
A Neatly Constructed Story
A neatly constructed story which is highly watchable. There is an excellent and surprising ending to the tale. Generally good performances all round, but probably the best is from Michael Caine in one of his best roles. A great flavour of the late 1980's which I recommend to anyone who is interested in the late cold war era.
M**K
Slow burning espionage thriller.
Good movie with a strong and unpredictable ending Michael Caine is in his element in this thriller piecing together his sons last days.
D**R
Just bearable
I just about watched it all the way through, but it was a waste of good actors. Maybe it was thought good at the time, but some of the scenes were just too ridculous.
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