The Human Factor (1975)

33% of critics liked it
(6 reviews)
36% of users liked it
(69 ratings)

This routine espionage drama is based on a novel by Graham Greene about a low-level British informant who is caught in a trap. Castle (Nicol Williamson) has a desk job in British intelligence. Around him are heavyweights like Col. Daintry (Richard Attenborough), Sir John Hargreaves (Richard Vernon),… More This routine espionage drama is based on a novel by Graham Greene about a low-level British informant who is caught in a trap. Castle (Nicol Williamson) has a desk job in British intelligence. Around him are heavyweights like Col. Daintry (Richard Attenborough), Sir John Hargreaves (Richard Vernon), and Percival (Robert Morley) who will cold-bloodedly stop at nothing to do their jobs as they see fit. And Castle certainly is a nobody compared to them. One day when a friend of his in Africa needs some help, Castle is conned into supplying the Eastern block countries with info on demand. No one suspects him because of his low position, but when his office partner is hauled off, Castle begins to rethink his situation. This was director Otto Preminger's last film. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 55 min.
Directed By: Otto Preminger, Edward Dmytryk
Written By: Tom Stoppard, Graham Greene (I)
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense, Classics

In Theaters: Dec 18, 1979 Wide
On DVD: Oct 31, 2006
Studio: Live Home Video

Critic Reviews

Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
This rigorous, compelling, radically stylized film represents the end point in a line of development that Otto Preminger had been pursuing since the late 60s.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Director Preminger was handed his first project in five years, a great cast, and good material (based on a Graham Greene novel), and he came up with this anemic little thriller.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
A pointless film that valued computers more than it does people.
Chuck O'Leary, FulvueDrive-in.com
An OK revenge thriller that's helped immensely by George Kennedy's sympathetic lead performance. However, there's too much talk and not enough action.
, Film4
The film is a triumph of missed opportunities, miscasting and misdirection, excused, if at all, by the fact that money ran out and Otto had to hock some paintings to finish it.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Stefan P

Another great film from director Otto Preminger. It takes some time to get into the story, but after a while it becomes intriguing and unpredictable. Great acting, photography and music.

Cast

            Richard Attenborough as Col. John Daintry

            John Gielgud as Brigadier Tomlinson

            Joop Doderer as Cornelius Muller

            Derek Jacobi as Arthur Davis

            Robert Morley as Doctor Percival

            Ann Todd as Castle's Mother

            Nicol Williamson as Maurice Castle

            Richard Vernon as Sir John Hargreaves

            Iman as Sarah

            Martin Benson as Borls

            Sean Caffrey as Policeman

            Tom Chatto as General Phipps

            Sylvia Coleridge as Mrs. Halliday

            Adrienne Corri as Sylvia

            Robert Dorning as Jameson

            Clifford Earl as Ferguson

            Gary Forbes as Sam

            Fiona Fullerton as Elizabeth

            Leon Greene as Tall Man

            Denys Hawthorne as Inspector Butler

            Anthony Haygarth as Buffy

            Cyd Hayman as Cunthia

            Boris Isarov as Agent

            Ken Jones as Messenger

            Keith Marsh as Porter

            Patrick O'Connell as Reader

            Marianne Stone as Matron

            Angela Thorne as Mary Hargreaves

            Tony Vogel as Matthew Connolly

            Frank Williams as Bellamy

            Anthony Woodruff as Dr. Barker

            Paul Seed as Shop Assistant

            Glenna Forster-Jones
            
            Paul Curran as Halliday

            Edward Dentith as Edward

            Brian Epsom
            
            George Kennedy as John Kinsdale

            John Mills as Mike McAllister

            Raf Vallone as Dr. Lupo

            Arthur Franz as Gen. Fuller

            Rita Tushingham as Janice

            Frank Avianca as Kamal

            Haydee Politoff as Pidgeon

            Tom Hunter as Taylor

            Barry Sullivan as Edmonds

            West Buchanan as Aldo

            Lewis Charles as Mr. Gerardi

            Robert Lowell as Eddy Fonseca

            Shane Rimmer as Carter CIA

            Conchita Airoldi as Sandra Pallavicini

            Vincenzo Crocitti as Lupo's Driver
See full cast