Three Days of the Condor - The Memorable TV DVD Review

Distributor: Universal
Certificate: M15+
Director: Sydney Pollack
Cast: Robert Redford, Faye Dunaway, Max Von Sydow, Cliff Robertson, JOhn Houseman
Extras: No

"Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they are not out to get you".

Very entertaining conspiracy thriller from Robert Redford golden 1970's period. Made in 1975 and directed by Sydney Pollack Three Days of the Condor sees Redford playing the mild mannered Joseph Turner who works for a covert CIA cell (albeit a cell which exists simply to read novels, magazines and newspaper to pick up on CIA activity being discovered, activity against the US and also ideas for new operations).

The plot kicks in when Turner returns to the office after lunch only to find all 6 of his co-workers have been brutally murdered. Fearing for his life Turner goes into hiding to await pick up by the CIA, events get even murkier when his contact is shot in front of Turner who panics and kidnaps photographer Kathy Hale (a low key Faye Dunaway).

Terrified at first Dunaway ends up helping Redford and of course succumbs to his charms (in a very bad love scene).

Convoluted but exciting Three Days of the Condor works well as a look at the inner workings of the CIA and how within it nobody is ever whom they seem to be. For instance when Redford discovers the reason why his colleagues were murdered he finds himself with a contract out on him.

Condor uses it's two hour running time to leisurely unfold it's plot and treats its audience with an intelligence that is sadly lacking from most thrillers today, Redford is great as the everyman Turner who is well out of his depth and there are also appearances from the stately Max Von Sydow as a trench coat wearing hitman as well as small appearances from Cliff Robertson and the legendary John Houseman.

Watch and enjoy!