The Riddle of the Sands (1979)
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38% want to see it
(35 ratings)
One of the earliest English spy novels, The Riddle of the Sands by Erskine Childers, is the basis for this movie. In the story, it is 1901, and England is at the height of its power and influence in the world. Arthur Davies (Simon MacCorkindale) is out sailing in his yacht in the North Sea. Off the… More One of the earliest English spy novels, The Riddle of the Sands by Erskine Childers, is the basis for this movie. In the story, it is 1901, and England is at the height of its power and influence in the world. Arthur Davies (Simon MacCorkindale) is out sailing in his yacht in the North Sea. Off the coast of Germany, he has a set-to with a local sea-captain, Dollmann (Alan Badel). The encounter itself was odd enough, but adding to it's strangeness is Arthur's nagging sense that the German captain was known to him, somehow. He discovers that Dollman is actually a British naval officer who has gone bad and calls on his old college friend, Charles Carruthers (Michael York) to help him investigate this phenomenon. Eventually, the two men discover that the Kaiser Wilhelm has planned to secretly invade and conquer Britain, and they are the only ones who can prevent it. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi
- Directed By
- Tony Maylam
- Genres
- Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense
PG,
Critic Reviews
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John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
This 1979 film adaptation of the classic spy thriller is rather too plain and dry to capture all of the tale's adventure.
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John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
Perhaps director Tony Maylam was being too literal in adapting the novel to the screen, a novel that didn't translate well.
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Cast
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Michael York
as Charles Carruthers
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Jenny Agutter
as Clara Dollman
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Simon MacCorkindale
as Arthur Davies
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Alan Badel
as Dollman
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Jurgen Andersen
as Von Bruning
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Olga Lowe
as Frau Dollman
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Hans Meyer
as Grimm
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Michael Sheard
as Bohme
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Wolf Kahler
as Kaiser Wilhelm II
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Ronald Markham
as Withers
- Susannah York
