The Spy Who Came in from the Cold
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The Spy Who Came in from the Cold is an espionage novel by John le Carré. It was adapted into a film starring Richard Burton.
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Plot introduction
It is a spy novel based on the Cold War period of east, west tension. Based primarily in Eastern Europe it follows the character of Alec Leamas.Plot summary
It tells the story of Alec Leamas, a British spy, who resigns from the Circus (as the British Secret Service is known in John le Carré's books) and defects to East Germany. Leamas is actually being manipulated by the director of the Circus, who goes by the code name "Control", as part of an elaborate plot to discredit an effective East German spymaster and protect a British agent in the East German Secret Service from discovery.The novel received good reviews and was a best seller.
Characters in \"The Spy Who Came in from the Cold\"
- Alec Leamas: The British spy in the centre of this web of intrigue.
- Fiedler: communist spy
- Liz Gold: communist librarian (renamed Nan Perry for the film)
- Control: Leader of British Intelligence
- George Smiley: British spy
- Mundt: Double agent for the British acting as Leader of Communist Spies.
Awards and nominations
The movie was nominated for Academy Awards for Best Actor in a Leading Role (Richard Burton) and Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Black-and-White. Oskar Werner won the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor. The film was awarded four BAFTA Awards, including Best British Film and Best British Actor (Burton).Film & TV adaptations
It was adapted by Paul Dehn and Guy Trosper into a 1965 film, starring Richard Burton, Claire Bloom, Oskar Werner, Peter van Eyck, Sam Wanamaker, Rupert Davies and Cyril Cusack and directed by Martin Ritt.Quote
"It is the best spy story I have ever read." (Graham Greene) The Manhattan Rare Book Company (2005). [John Le Carre: The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, First Edition]. Retrieved January 23, 2006."A topical and terrible story...he can communicate emotion, from sweating fear to despairing love, with terse and compassionate conviction. Above all, he can tell a tale. Formidable equipment for a rare and disturbing writer" (The Sunday Times)
External links
Notes
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