MovieChat Forums > The Kremlin Letter (1970) Discussion > John Huston's Failure? Nonsense

John Huston's Failure? Nonsense

posted 15 years ago by geneb5
6 replies | jump to latest

The Kremlin Letter is a terrific spy thriller that follows the complex Behn novel closely, and is exquisitely fleshed-out with great acting and effective, almost deadpan directing (auteurs attend).

If it has a fault, it's that it does follow Behn closely--almost scene-by-scene.

This is an asset in that it doesn't dumb down the plot and tie it all up in a neat bow.

It's a problem in that most people can't follow every detail of the rich plot on first viewing. This may unnecessarily irritate.

Ultimately, each detail of the plot isn't the point; the movie's not really about the fate of the Kremlin letter. It's all about personal betrayal. And deliciously so.

It's a mean, rotten, dirty low-down movie about mean, rotten, dirty low-down people.

What's not to love?

[–] jkierste-1 15 years ago

I love John Huston and the actors in this film. However, the plot is muddled to a fault and the film loses steam have way through. It is by far his weakest film, and I have seen a fair number. Although the story has some holes, Mackintosh Man is a far better spy thriller from Huston, with a very able Newman.

[–] geneb5 15 years ago

The plot has its complexities, but muddled? No way. Every piece fits, and fits exactly where and when it must. Time, place and most importantly, character guide the plot straight down one of the most thrilling and scenic roads in the country, a road with wild, unexpected and harrowing turns, yes--but a road, and the plot never strays off the road--or gets into a muddle.

I'd suggest seeing it again.

Don't remember Mackintosh Man much; will look for it.

[–] Melville49 13 years ago

It's a mean, rotten, dirty low-down movie about mean, rotten, dirty low-down people

Old thread but well stated. This along with Spy Who Came in from the Cold are maybe the only Cold War movies worth watching for a somber look at the conflict.

Huston's later works are in a category of their own - he doesn't have time to care about petty establishing shots or master coverage - there's a very lean and sparse touch to them, but filled with intensity and madness, more so than any of his earlier pictures.

Compared to Kremlin Letter, all those James Bond movies up to today are just softcore Cinemax for teenage boys. Kremlin Letter is probably the most perverse spy film ever.

[–] geneb5 8 years ago

Compared to Kremlin Letter, all those James Bond movies up to today are just softcore Cinemax for teenage boys. Kremlin Letter is probably the most perverse spy film ever.

Old thread, yes, but I totally agree. I like the idea of spy movies as a genre, but there are so few decent ones. All the Bonds (except the first 3), MIs, Bournes--just untethered action sequences. No heart, no soul, barely a plot. Just what I call CHURN.

[–] shepardjessica-1 8 years ago

Not one of Husto's better films, but it's such a crazy cast it's worth seeing. Forget about the plot.

[–] geneb5 8 years ago

There are very few movies I'd see twice, but I do suggest seeing it again--even if only for the performances. It's always enjoyable.

Or better, try the novel.

Author Noel Behn, by the way, was a descendant of the first woman to make a living playwriting, Aphra Behn (d. 1698). Oddly, this is not mentioned in Noel's 1998 NY Times obit, his death coming exactly (almost) 300 years after Aphra's.

PS: She was also, maybe, a foreign spy for Charles II. Perhaps it's ironic (or genetic) that, as Wikipedia notes,

Writer Germaine Greer has called Behn "a palimpsest; she has scratched herself out," and biographer Janet Todd noted that Behn "has a lethal combination of obscurity, secrecy and staginess which makes her an uneasy fit for any narrative, speculative or factual. She is not so much a woman to be unmasked as an unending combination of masks".