MovieChat Forums > The Spy Who Came in from the Cold (1965) Discussion > Why did Leamas laugh in this scene ?

Why did Leamas laugh in this scene ?

posted 11 years ago by ayf_1983
5 replies | jump to latest

When Fiedler asked for the notes of his initial interrogation from Peters ?

[–] Madyas 11 years ago

I've had a hard time understanding this movie but my interpretation of this scene is that Leamus laughed because Fiedler made Peters get out of his chair and hand the papers to him, knowing that Peters had some sort of medical problem with his leg (as shown when he was climbing the staircase....looked like one leg would not bend?)

[–] rogueforte 11 years ago

I have a different take on Leamus' laugh. Right before Fiedler enters the room, Leamus had just asked Peters something to the effect if Fiedler was any good, to which Peters replies, "For a Jew". It's at that moment that Fiedler abruptly flings open the door and and walks in.

So, although maybe not on the same level of hatred as Mundt, Peters would seem to be rather anti-Semetic, and Leamus found it amusing when Fiedler (the Jew) made Peters bring the document to him across the room and place it in Fiedler's outstretched hand.

[–] JacintoCupboard 8 years ago

Yeah, it's all about men big noting themselves only to be humbled by the next guy up the chain. This btw happens at every stage as Leamas progresses towards Mundt, including the British links. It is almost a running gag mocking the 'egalitarian workers' state'. Note also how the car taking Leamas to his German confinement takes no care not to splash the gate guards as it arrives.

[–] nednut 11 years ago

I'm in agreement with Madyas.

I think he found it amusing that Peters was forced to get out of his chair to hand over the dossier, thus feelng undermined and humiliated. I don't think there was very much respect between Leamas and Peters.

[–] balthazar_bee 10 years ago

I laughed a bit too, I have to admit. Peters has been "in charge" so far, and clearly he's not useful anymore, so he'll be sent away in the same fashion as the previous rungs on the ladder (the old queen and the dandy with the scarf).

It's funny to see these guys posturing like they're big, important men, only to be dismissed unceremoniously by someone just a wee bit higher up. I didn't get the feeling that Leamas had any particular antipathy towards Peters.

Also, all the other stuff that's been mentioned -- the timing of Fiedler's entrance, the fact that he makes Peters get up and walk the additional couple of feet to hand Fiedler the notes despite his affliction. We can speculate that Fiedler heard the comment and is thus punishing Peters, but that's probably over-thinking the situation.

It's just funny to see what a precious commodity power is within the Soviet apparatus, however briefly it can be retained, or how meaningless it is in the grand scheme.