The Osterman Weekend (1983)

43% of critics liked it
(14 reviews)
38% of users liked it
(3,033 ratings)

A man discovers that his best friends are actually spies -- or are they? -- in this thriller based on Robert Ludlum's best-selling novel. John Tanner (Rutger Hauer) is the host of a television news show who once a year spends a long weekend with three of his best friends from college, Bernard… More A man discovers that his best friends are actually spies -- or are they? -- in this thriller based on Robert Ludlum's best-selling novel. John Tanner (Rutger Hauer) is the host of a television news show who once a year spends a long weekend with three of his best friends from college, Bernard Osterman (Craig T. Nelson), Joseph Cardone (Chris Sarandon), and Richard Tremayne (Dennis Hopper). Tanner is approached by Lawrence Fassett (John Hurt), a CIA agent who has evidence proving that his three pals are actually agents working with the Soviet Union. With Tanner's reluctant approval, his house is wired with video surveillance equipment so that the CIA can monitor what Osterman, Cardone, and Tremayne say and do over their weekend together in hopes of putting the traitors behind bars. However, Tanner soon realizes that Fassett's agenda is not all that it appears to be. The Osterman Weekend was directed by Sam Peckinpah; it proved to be his last film, as he died a year after its release. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 42 min.
Directed By: Sam Peckinpah
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense

In Theaters: Oct 21, 1983 Wide
On DVD: Mar 23, 2004
Studio: HBO Video

Critic Reviews

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
I don't demand that all movies make sense. I sometimes enjoy movies that make no sense whatsoever, if that's their intention. But a thriller is supposed to hold together in some sort of logical way, isn't it?
Vincent Canby, New York Times
Some individual sequences -- including a car chase early in the film - have the lunatic humor that might have made the rest of the film bearable, though probably nothing would justify the film's final blood bath.
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
The structure is a mess (the film was recut against Peckinpah's wishes), which ultimately makes it difficult to tell whether its oddly compelling qualities are the result of a coherent artistic strategy or the cynical carelessness of a director sidelined.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Too bad this confusing, incoherent satirical espionage thriller turned out to be the swan song of Sam Peckinpah,who made so many good films (The Wild Bunch).
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
A wild ride into Cold War paranoia and the dangers of technocracy.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Director Sam Peckinpah's final film is certainly not among his best, but it is interesting nonetheless.
Walter Chaw, Film Freak Central
Never been more current than it is now--and if it's imperfect, it's imperfect in exactly the right way.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
Despite some script contrivances, it finds Peckinpah high in the saddle again and full of the same old thunder and lightning.
Matt Brunson, Creative Loafing
A muddled thriller ... Peckinpah seems more interested in shooting laughable action sequences and exposing the bare breasts of his actresses than in relating a coherent story.
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
Sam Peckinpah's final movie is stylish, has loads of nudity and other debauchery, and makes virtually no sense at all. Cheers!
David Wood, BBC
It rattles along well enough as a thriler of the political paranoia variety.

Read all 11 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Conner R

Definitely falls under the category of one of the most under-appreciated and overlooked movies ever made. The film-making style alone is worthy of praise, Sam Peckinpah's early use of slow motion action sequences and sound is just so well done. Not to mention the flawless… More
Definitely falls under the category of one of the most under-appreciated and overlooked movies ever made. The film-making style alone is worthy of praise, Sam Peckinpah's early use of slow motion action sequences and sound is just so well done. Not to mention the flawless casting, Rutger Hauer has and always will be one of the greatest actors of all time. He makes any role feel incredibly human and at the same time captivating beyond belief. The story is so well played out, making for one of the best Soviet-Spy plots. There is one twist after another and even when you think you've figured it out it throws you another twist. All around this is just an incredible movie and definitely deserves more credit.
Michael S

A flawed classic.
Sean S

How much do you know about your friends? A secret agent uses a reporters curiosity against him in an attempt to uncover a spy among his friends. Makes you think about human nature and the things you don't know about the people closest to you.

Cast

            Rutger Hauer as John Tanner

            John Hurt as Lawrence Fassett

            Craig T. Nelson as Bernard Osterman

            Dennis Hopper as Richard Tremayne

            Chris Sarandon as Joseph Cardone

            Meg Foster as Ali Tanner

            Sandy McPeak as Stennings

            Christopher Starr as Steve Tanner

            Burt Lancaster as Maxwell Danforth

            John Bryson as Honeymoon Couple

            Cheryl Carter as Marcia Heller

            Anne Haney as Honeymoon Bride

            Buckley Norris as Technician

            Kristen Peckinpah as Secretary

            Hansford Rowe as Gen. Keever

            Helen Shaver as Virginia Tremayne

            Tim Thomerson as Motorcycle Cop

            Jan Triska as Mikalovich

            Merete Van Kamp as Zuna Brickman

            Cassie Yates as Betty Cardone

            Eddy Donno as Agent #3

            Buddy Joe Hooker as Kidnaper

            Robert Kensinger as Stage Manager #2

            Den Surles as Assailant

            Janeen Davis as Stage Manager

            Michael McLean
            
            Walter Kelley as Agent #1
See full cast