The Black Windmill (1974)

26% of users liked it
(153 ratings)

Michael Caine stars as an espionage agent whose young son is kidnapped. Complicating matters is the fact that the kidnappers (John Vernon and Delphine Seyrig) are Caine's own colleagues. They want to secure Caine's aid in rounding up a diamond smuggling ring, and they don't care who they have to… More Michael Caine stars as an espionage agent whose young son is kidnapped. Complicating matters is the fact that the kidnappers (John Vernon and Delphine Seyrig) are Caine's own colleagues. They want to secure Caine's aid in rounding up a diamond smuggling ring, and they don't care who they have to hurt to do so. He agrees to go along, all the while searching for his missing son. Janet Suzman co-stars as Caine's estranged wife, who is compelled to join him in his search. Helmed by veteran filmmaker Don Siegel, The Black Windmill is based on Seven Days to a Killing, a novel by Clive Egleton. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 46 min.
Directed By: Don Siegel
Genres: Mystery & Suspense

In Theaters: Jun 1, 1974 Wide
Studio: MCA Universal Home Video

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Terrific spy thriller that however is not without its flaws.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Henrik S

A standard 70ies spy/pulp thriller featuring Michael Caine, and this movie would have been long forgotten already and lost in the abyss of film history if it was not for Michael Caine taking the lead. The script & direction are average and on the level of a back-to-back episode… More
A standard 70ies spy/pulp thriller featuring Michael Caine, and this movie would have been long forgotten already and lost in the abyss of film history if it was not for Michael Caine taking the lead. The script & direction are average and on the level of a back-to-back episode of Mission: Impossible or Get Smart, I would even dare say, probably not even as good as that. The script jumps right into the blood involving your run-of-the-milll ingredients for a spy thriller, stolen diamonds, kindapping, intrigue, MI5 and of course nudity and some random violence, without ever taking off. As I said before, the direction is unimaginative and very dull, expect nothing but camera totals and no changes in editing or pace or anything else that would turn up the tension. Unless you are a huge fan of Michael Caine, who was the reason why I picked this up, you should give this one a definite pass. And even Caine's performance ability has seen better days. Henrik

Cast

            Michael Caine as Maj. John Tarrant

            Donald Pleasence as Cedric Harper

            Delphine Seyrig as Ceil Burrows

            Clive Revill as Alf Chestermann

            John Vernon as McKee

            Joss Ackland as Chief Superintendent Wray

            Hermione Baddeley as Hetty

            Patrick Barr as Gen. St. John

            Murray Brown as Doctor

            Joyce Carey as Harper's Secretary

            Brenda Cowling as Pleasant Secretary

            David Daker as Thickset M.I. 5 Man

            John Rhys-Davies as Special Policeman

            Edward Hardwicke as Mike McCarthy

            John Harvey as Heppenstal

            Preston Lockwood as Ilkeston

            Russell Napier as Adm. Ballentyne

            Derek Newark as Monitoring Policeman

            Joseph O'Conor as Sir Edward Julyan

            Maureen Pryor as Jane Harper

            Denis Quilley as Bateson

            Catherine Schell as Lady Julyan

            Janet Suzman as Alex Tarrant

            Molly Urquhart as Margaret

            George A. Cooper as Pincus

            Paul Humpoletz as Tomkins

            Frank Henson as S.P. Driver

            Hilary Sesta as Ilkeston's Secretary

            Derek Lord as Sollars

            Michael Segal as Postman
See full cast