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The Whistle Blower [1987]
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Set at the time when concerns about GCHQ were at their height and the Cold War had yet to thaw, many of the film's concerns seem, years subsequently, to be thankfully dated. Moreover, it's hard to believe that the bumbling British Secret Services would actually be capable of organising a convivial soiree in a brewery, let alone orchestrate the sort of skulduggery they perpetrate here. Still, with a cast that features all the usual British suspects (Sir John Gielgud, James Fox, Gordon Jackson) there's no doubting the pedigree of The Whistle Blower, which, despite its ostensibly uncomfortable message, actually makes for very agreeable comfort viewing. Michael Caine is especially fine as Michael Caine. --David Stubbs
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Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review
A 1987 espionage thriller, The Whistle Blower stars Michael Caine as Frank Jones, a businessman and regular patriotic war veteran whose son Bob (Nigel Havers) is a Russian linguist who works at GCHQ. Bob begins to express doubts to his father about aspects of his work; days later, police report to Frank that his son has died in a fall. A verdict of accidental death is recorded. However, in the midst of his grief, Frank is puzzled by aspects of the death and decides to conduct his own investigation. In so doing he finds himself pitted against an utterly unscrupulous Secret Service prepared to stop at nothing, including murder, to cover up their operations.
A well-acted and slightly sad spy story
Review date: 2008-03-15 Rating: 8 out of 10
Frank Jones (Michael Caine) has a son (Nigel Havers) who works in a top secret British intelligence agency. Frank has had experience in that line, but now has retired to a quiet and safe life. His son tells him that strange things are happening, and he's planning on leaving and marrying an older woman he's fallen in love with. He says a Soviet mole was found, that security is all over the place encouraging people to rat on each other. The higher ups seem convinced that if they don't do something, their American friends in the CIA will stop working with them.
Frank isn't thrilled over the marriage plans, and he tells his son that it's unlikely anything off key can be happening in the agency. It's obvious that Jones loves his son deeply and wants his son to be happy in whatever his son chooses for himself. A few days later his son is dead, an apparent suicide. Jones cannot believe his son killed himself, and decides to use his old skills to find out what happened. The rest of the movie digs into an examination of the British establishment which is disturbing and ugly. There are strong echoes of the Antony Blunt case and the Cambridge spies. Frank Jones finds men who easily consider others expendable if their ideas of class and priviledge are endangered. He accuses one of being willing to see men die so long as he can continue to have tea with the Queen.
Caine does a wonderful job of underplaying. His love for his son, his reluctance to leave the safe shell he has made for himself, his strength in searching for answers, his ruthlessness when he gets close to the truth, are all played quietly...which makes things even more effective.
The movie's ending is, for me, not quite as satisfying as it could be, but it's likely that the good guy wins and the bad guys suffer.
Among the bad guys is James Fox, a first-rate actor who for some time has seemed to specialize in playing condescending aristos. It's hard to remember him as the blond, young "tennis, anyone?" chap in Thoroughly Modern Millie.
The DVD transfer is okay.
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Reviews
Whistling the wrong tune.
Review date: 2008-02-06 Rating: 4 out of 10
Considering the subject matter - the accountability of government agencies - is as relevant today as it was when the film was made this is a strangely uninvolving story. Set around Cheltenham GCHQ it is perhaps appropriate and unfortunate the characters are such ciphers without any emotional content. James Fox plays the standard government official, Gordon Jackson the role he played in the Professionals tv series, the investigative journalist is working class, and Nigel Havers is miscast. It is difficult to believe he would become an 'enemy of the state' or that he is actually worried about what is going on so flat is his performance. Added to this is the fact he is supposed to be Michael Caine's 28 year old son though he was actually 37 at the time. Caine does his best with his role but in the end it is difficult to care about any of it.
Cold war nostalgia
Review date: 2006-09-24 Rating: 8 out of 10
See the cinema original prototype for innumberable and rather repetitive tv serials. Not quite "Tinker Tailor" class of course, but brings us back to the Cold War atmosphere of the 80s. Dated? Not completely, since the issues of unaccountable authority, portrayed in the film, are still very much with us.
who is the enemy ?
Review date: 2002-11-29 Rating: 10 out of 10
Based on a novel by John Hale, this 1987 film is a cold war spy story with more twists and angles than can be absorbed in a single viewing.
The boundaries between right and wrong are blurred, in this complex plot where co-workers in the secret service are asked to spy on each other, truth-seekers are murdered, and the guilty are kept protected in their luxurious nests.
With an excellent cast that includes James Fox, Nigel Havers, John Gielgud, Felicity Dean, and many top-notch character actors, it's a fast paced hour and 40 minutes; one of my favourite parts is how they manage to get information out of the imprisoned double agent, making him believe that he has escaped.
Also adding a lot to the film is the lovely soundtrack by John Scott.
Michael Caine is powerful as the former spy and bereaved father, who investigates his son's death. Part vulnerable, part tough guy, it's a subtle, touching, and brilliant performance, and its believability makes this intricate thriller a 5 star film.
The Whistle Blower
Review date: 2002-06-28 Rating: 8 out of 10
A genuinely chilling Cold War account of betrayal and ruthless elimination in mid-eighties Britain. Solid performances all-round as our 'special relationship' with the US is exposed in all its ugliness and paranoia. Michael Caine plays a shattered father on the trail of his intelligence worker son's killers. This leads to the heart of a dark and unaccountable establishment, still shaken after recent defections to the Soviet Union. The latest traitor must be kept secret from the Americans, and the death toll begins to mount. Only the rage and grief of a parent searching for truth and can shine a light on this darkness. The plot twists and turns enough to keep our interest throughout, and the climax is simple but highly effective. A clever and unpretentious film that succeeds where many cold war thrillers fail..the events are perfectly believable. If you grew up in the eighties, this will ring a few bells.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
James Fox
John Gielgud
Michael Caine
Felicity Dean
Nigel Havers
Creators:
Michael Caine (Primary Contributor)
James Fox (Primary Contributor)
Geoffrey Reeve (Producer)
Jim Reeve (Producer)
John Kelleher (Producer)
Peter Dolman (Producer)
Philip Nugus (Producer)
John Hale (Writer)
Julian Bond (Writer)
Director(s):
Recording label: Prism Leisure
Manufacturer: Prism Leisure
EAN: 5035760400383
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2001-09-01
Number of discs: 1
Audience rating: Parental Guidance
Region code: 2
Running time: 100 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1987-07-10
Language: English (Original Language)