MovieChat Forums > Hopscotch (1980) Discussion > Similar movies? (In tone and/or period s...

Similar movies? (In tone and/or period spy caper?)

posted 14 years ago by Half_the_Audience
9 replies | jump to latest

I love this movie so much. The spy vs spy hijinks are fun, the wit and playfulness of the script-- but I seriously favor films from this era that hop around to different international locations with a definite "old world" panache as opposed to contemporary vulgar conspicuousness.

Can anyone think of similar films that would appeal in this way?

I'll start myself with another less known GEM called "Hot Millions" with Peter Ustinov and Maggie Smith. If you haven't seen it, I can promise you, it's as good as "Hopscotch" and has the same tone and quality. I encourage the uninitiated to look it up and read about it.

Wish I could re/discover another few like these.

[–] dday-9 13 years ago

The recent film "RED" is similar to "Hopscotch" in a lot of ways, although it's got more action and shoot-em-ups.

It too is about retired CIA agents considered "over the hill", being targeted by their own former agency, having to use their experience, cunning, and old contacts to survive as well as get some payback.

Also like "Hopscotch", it's pretty light-hearted and clever, with a lot of truly funny and triumphant moments.

[–] author-21 13 years ago

The movie I thought of as similar in tone is Improper Channels, starring Alan Arkin. Not the same subject matter hardly at all, but the same sort of, "He can't really have a plan to get away with all of this, can he" sort of vibe.

[–] Philo89 13 years ago

Not exactly what you're looking for, but three movies that for me have the same feel are the Redford spy trilogy: "Three Days of the Condor," "Sneakers," and "Spy Game."

[–] octagonproplex 12 years ago

Spy Game definately.

Maybe Charade and it's remake; The Truth About Charlie as well.

[–] Moscoso1967 12 years ago

Some spy movies I would recommend
-the Liquidator (with Rod Taylor)
-Masquerade (with Cliff Robertson and Jack Hawkins)
-Hot Enough For June

not as funny as Hopscotch but great:
- Funeral in Berlin
- The Ipcress File
- Our Man in Havanna

[–] DrWhen 12 years ago

Maybe "The Man with one Red Shoe". It's a lot more campy but a spy comedy.

[–] oldmotem 12 years ago

Try "CHARLIE VARRICK" (1973). I think it was a warm-up for this movie. Guess who's Charlie Varrick? Yes, Mr. Matthau. Another really good one.

[–] corleonedude 11 years ago

I'm surprised no one mentioned Burnt After Reading. Almost a direct spoof of the same idea.

It's the one that says BAD *beep*

[–] bcstoneb444 9 years ago

I was wondering the same thing myself. There simply aren't that many movies that have the same tone in a spy context, which might be described as quirky, deadpan humor, which pretty well describes Matthau himself. Anyway someone beat me to the punch with Our Man in Havana. Also a good catch with Burn After Reading. I hadn't heard about Hot Millions but will certainly look it up.