The Jigsaw Man (1984)

39% want to see it
(56 ratings)

This spy film purports to be inspired by the true story of Kim Philby (1912-1988), a British intelligence officer and Soviet spy during the 1940s and '50s who gained international notoriety when he blew his cover and defected to the USSR in 1963. But this fictional, unsophisticated, if not naive… More This spy film purports to be inspired by the true story of Kim Philby (1912-1988), a British intelligence officer and Soviet spy during the 1940s and '50s who gained international notoriety when he blew his cover and defected to the USSR in 1963. But this fictional, unsophisticated, if not naive docudrama portrays a world of espionage in a cross between Nancy Drew and Sam Spade, and Philby's real story is buried in the process. The film opens with British double agent Philip Kimberly (Michael Caine) undergoing complete plastic surgery by order of his Soviet bosses, while his death is announced in the world press. With a different name and face, Kimberly -- now Kuzminsky -- is sent back to England in the guise of a Soviet citizen to retrieve a secret list of names he supposedly hid several years ago. Kusminsky/Kimberly defects at the British passport control, and later escapes his British guards -- leading to a manhunt by both British and Soviet agents. His chief nemesis is Admiral Scaith (Laurence Olivier) and the man he assigns to the case, Jaime Fraser (Robert Powell) -- who just happens to be living with Kimberly's daughter. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 31 min.
Directed By: Terence Young
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
This spy film had no reason to take itself so seriously, the story was just so many green bananas.

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Cast

            Michael Caine as Philip Kimberley/Kuziminsky

            Laurence Olivier as Adm. Sir Gerald Scaith

            Susan George as Penelope Kimberley

            Robert Powell as Jamie Fraser

            Charles Gray as Sir James Charley

            Michael Medwin as Milroy

            Vladek Sheybal as Gen.Zorin

            Anthony Dawson as Vicar

            David Allister as Sgt. Lloyd

            Robert Austin as 2nd KGB Man

            Maureen Bennett as Susan

            Yuri Borienko as Russian Trainer

            Peter Burton as Douglas Ransom

            Patrick Dawson as Ginger

            John Franklyn-Robbins as English Doctor

            Thomas Heathcote as Gamekeeper

            Jennifer Jayne as Nurse

            Peggy Marshall as Polly

            Juliet Nissen as Miss Fortescue

            Maggie Rennie as Mrs. Ransom

            Matthew Scurfield as 1st KGB Man

            Eric Sevareid as Eric Sevareid

            Jana Sheldon as Air Hostess

            Bill Shine as Commissionaire

            P.G. Stephens as Driver

            Sabine Sun as Dr. Zilenka

            David Kelly as Cameron

            Richard Aylen as Older Kimberley

            Ian Masters as Special Branch Man

            Richard Borthwick as Policeman

            Peter Hutchins as Connolly

            Anthony Shaw as Matthews
See full cast

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