Erskine Childers may have written the prototype of the modern day spy thriller with the book this movie is based on, but it doesn't change the fact that this movie adaptation is a big bore for the most part. Like many British movies, this plays like "illustrated radio", having a screenplay that may work on the radio, but becomes deadly dull when filmed. The movie is mostly talk talk talk, and not particularly interesting talk at that. The talented cast does give it a shot, but their lively performances only adds a tiny amount of spark. It doesn't help that the fairly low budget of the entire enterprise is evident throughout. In the end, the movie is a drab bore, which is a real shame because one can see the potential for a really good thriller here and there.

I love the movie.Michael York and Jenny Agutter team up one more time in "Logan's Run", another great movie.Have been looking for a replacement copy for a long, long time.For those looking for a video source, go to: amazon.co.uk They have both PAL (region 2) and NTSC (U.S., region 1) discs available, reasonably priced.We have been looking some other movies, and I found amazon.co.uk to be a great source for movies. However, most DVDs are in PAL format. We found a source for region free players, as low as $45.00, and are happy campers.Larry

It's a great old sort of thriller based on a well known and loved Erskine Childers novel.The cast are excellent and the feel for the time and place, with what was to come are of an older world Don't expect action but prepare to either love it or hate it.Michael York at the height of his gameSimon Macorkindale was also never better And Jenny Agutter reminding us all what a beauty and fine actress she is.I'd love a return to old style thrillers based on great stories without relying on special effects.

Erskine Childers tale of a an attempt to invade England was made into a movie in 1979. Its just come out as a region 2 DVD and I'm in heaven. The plot concerns a British sailor on holiday off the coast of Germany hunting duck and charting the sands that are forever shifting around the small islands there. Stumbling upon something that doesn't feel right he calls a friend from the Foreign Office to come and join him. Soon the pair are off on a grand adventure, the likes of which they don't make any more (nothing blows up and their are no car chases). Very much an old school adventure film, this was painfully dated the instant it came out as Star Wars, Smokey and the Bandit and Alien ruled the roost. No matter I love this film. It has the feel of the works of Robert Lewis Stevenson or any of the great adventure writers that NC Wyeth illustrated. Slow and deliberately paced it never lets you get bored, since revelations and bits of action happen at just the right time. I love that much is made of skills that don't involve shooting things. Finely crafted and perfect for a rainy Sunday afternoon, this is one of my favorite movies.