In the 1960's, the US and USSR were
immersed in a cold war, paralleling the production of many films
examining
this phenomenon. Hitchcock contributed to the era with his
1966 spy film, “Torn Curtain.” Although stories of espionage are
inherently suspenseful, Hitchcock's entry yields an inconsistent
level of tension, perhaps partially due to the miscast leads. This
rather odd couple, Paul Newman (Dr. Michael Armstrong) and Julie
Andrews (Sarah Sherman) have little chemistry. In scenes requiring
the transmission of tension and fear, Newman and Andrews produce
muted emotion. They seem preoccupied, failing to deliver the
intense, emotional performances expected. The supporting characters
bring greater sparks of interest. Gromek, the security agent, is an
entertaining balance of menace and mirth. The gum-chewing heavy
veers close to being a caricature. His main scene is a tour d' force
as a show of force and strength of will. Another member of the enemy
camp, the comical Professor Lindt enlivens the few scenes in which he
appears. Leader of the resistance group, Mr. Jacobi shows warmth and
competence. Finally, the tragicomic Polish countess treads a fine
line between overacting and poignancy.
Despite the appearance of Newman and
Andrews, and their stiff, uninspiring acting, “Torn Curtain”
gains from several memorable scenes. A few moments straying from
logic, while slightly marring the film, do not inhibit its generally
entertaining quality.
The settings are assets. Filled with
gray, government buildings, East Berlin epitomizes the austere
totalitarian territory. Leipzig contains a few less-imposing
structures, such as a theater and coffeehouse. Actual location
filming apparently occurred, yet a couple of matte paintings fill in
for building facades.
Hitchcock's trademark directing style
provides interesting camera angles, including multiple facial
close-ups, drawing the audience into the action. Hitchcock's
direction is a highlight, contrasting with the rather mundane script.
The result is a film that is neither mediocre nor magnificent.