The Quiller Memorandum (1966)

86% of critics liked it
(7 reviews)
64% of users liked it
(926 ratings)

This spy saga differs from the usual Bond-styled fare that was popular at the time. There are plenty of gadgets but the hero Quiller (George Segal) never once uses a gun. Quiller is called on by his superior Pol (Alec Guinness) to infiltrate a Neo-Nazi gang in Berlin after two British agents have… More This spy saga differs from the usual Bond-styled fare that was popular at the time. There are plenty of gadgets but the hero Quiller (George Segal) never once uses a gun. Quiller is called on by his superior Pol (Alec Guinness) to infiltrate a Neo-Nazi gang in Berlin after two British agents have been killed on the same mission. After a teacher at a school has hanged himself when he is accused of being a war criminal, Quiller meets the late teachers replacement, the lovely Inge (Senta Berger). He willingly goes home with her before being beaten, drugged, and kidnapped by Nazi thugs, but the head Nazi Oktober (Max Von Sydow) allows Quiller to escape in hopes he will lead them to Pol. Quiller is captured again and given until morning to reveal information or he and Inge will die. George Sanders and Edith Schneider make the most of their limited screen time with fine performances. ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 43 min.
Directed By: Michael Anderson
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense

In Theaters: Dec 1, 1966 Wide
On DVD: Nov 7, 2006
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
It relies on a straight narrative storyline, simple but holding, literate dialog and well-drawn characters.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Pinter's spare screenplay gives George Segal some funny lines, but the fact that Segal doesn't engage in the usual Bondsmanship is welcome relief for audiences bored with one fantastic exploit after another and yearning for a more human look at spying.
Ian Nathan, Empire Magazine
Daft, dated and outright confusing most of the time, but it undeniably fun.
, Time Out
Although the whole thing is ill-served by Michael Anderson's direction, it remains perversely likeable precisely because it is rather long-winded and enigmatic.
Chuck O'Leary, FulvueDrive-in.com
Much underrated...One of the best spy thrillers of the 1960s.
Jim Hall, Film4
A great cast put to poor use in an espionage film so determined to avoid spy movie cliches that it fails to remember what makes them enjoyable in the first place.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
A great cast makes the most of this thin spy story.