Topaz [DVD]

I will start with the disk. The video, while not perfect, looks excellent, especially when compared with the DVD. I am amazed at how well the opening title sequence and the political rally, both very grainy on the DVD, were cleaned up in this release. The DTS-HD mono sound is crisp and clear. Overall, from a technical standpoint, Topaz looks and sounds good. Extras include a critic's analysis and two alternate endings: Granville's suicide, which was the ending of the theatrically released version, and the duel, which was the original ending shown to (and reviled by) preview audiences.As far as the film goes, what is on the disk represents one of Hitchcock's better efforts. I rate it as a classic, although not in quite in the same league as "Rear Window" or "North by Northwest". Keep in mind that the movie on the disk is mostly the nearly two and one half hour uncut version that was shown to sneak preview audiences, but without the duel ending, which audiences hated. The ending used shows Granville heading to Moscow and Devereaux heading back to Washington at the same time, and represents, at least to me, classic dark Hitchcock humor. The theatrically released version was nearly half an hour shorter then the preview version, and ended with the shot behind the door suggesting that Granville had committed suicide. While that ending is better than the duel, removing nearly half an hour led to some story continuity issues in the theatrically released version. The theatrically released version bombed, with the lack of stars, acting issues, the ending, and a style very different to what audiences expected from Hitchcock frequently cited as reasons.Nearly 50 years later, the film has held up surprisingly well. We are fortunate enough for the disk to have the correct (long) version of the film with the correct ending (Deveraux and Granville leaving at the same time), and although this version clocks in at 2 hours 22 minutes long, it is not really draggy.The production values are stupendous. Hitchcock was a set designer at UFA before becoming a director, and with any film where he had any kind of budget to work with, the sets and shooting locations are almost always among the best in cinema. While he never took credit for cinematography, Hitchcock was undoubtedly a master cinematographer, and was as inventive in his own way as Stanley Kubrick was. The film features great shot after great shot, with the showstopper being the murder of Juanita Cordoba by Rico Para. The sets and cinematography are so good that I always enjoy rewatching this movie even though I have seen it many times.Hitchcock wanted a different atmosphere for the film and used many European actors, as well as not well known American actors such as John Vernon. The only actor that most American audiences of the time would recognize is John Forsythe. Some of the acting has been criticized, especially that of Frederick Stafford. I didn't find Stafford's performance bad, especially if you want to compare it to that of really wooden actors like Victor Mature. Stafford and Dany Robin, while unknown to American audiences, were legitimate European stars. I suspect that they could be had for quite a bit less than equivalent American stars would cost, especially Robin as her career was suffering by the late 1960s and Topaz was her last film before she retired.The money saved on actors was certainly well spent on production values. Aside from the locations, sets and cinematography that I have already mentioned, the legendary Edith head did the costumes and the great Maurice Jarré contributed an excellent and engaging soundtrack.Some of the criticism of this film has been so vicious that I suspect that the motives of some of the people who dislike the film may have been political. The movie is a political thriller, and shows the post-revolutionary Cuban government functionaries as the thugs they undoubtedly were. That portrayal no doubt has upset the apologists for the Cuban revolution, but it is worth remembering 50 years on that there is no doubt that Fidel Castro attempted to start a nuclear war between the United States and the U.S.S.R.Overall, I rate this film as one of the best Cold War/spy films, and I get as much enjoyment from watching it as I get from watching "The Spy Who Came In from the Cold". Enjoy!

While this is not one of Hitchcock's best films, it is definately worth watching. There are some errors in continuity, and less than stellar performances by cast members, but the most distracting element was Maurice Jarre;s score. He is a genius, but Hitchcock did not bother to review the score before placing it in scenes. This leads to arather comical effect at highly tense moments in the plot. This fact, in addition to Leon Uris walking out on the screenplay before completion damages the end product. Having said that, it is still worth watching, and I would recommend it.

This movie dragged me at first. But it was needed, so I could understand the relationships between the people. American government asks a French ally, with ties to Cuba, to get info on what Russia is doing in Cuba. The intrigue builds as the ally gets closer to the info. He escapes, not before making himself an enemy of Cuba, and gets home to find his wife has left him. And his job is in jeopardy. America steps in again, to warn him that some of the very people who are questioning him may be complicit with Russia, too. I only recognized 3 people in this film: John Forsythe, John Vernon, and Roscoe Lee Browne. Good movie. Different endings were shot for this. Watch them and see which one you favor. I got this used, dirt cheap and store bought quality. Will definitely order from them again. Did you see Ol Alf? LOL And yeah, it's captioned.

I ordered that movie but unfortunately the voice doesn’t match the movie. It’s very annoying I would like to have my money back.

I agree with all of the positive things said about the film. As someone who lived through the Cuban Missile Crisis, I could again feel the dread of the situation. I enjoyed the international cast. There is only one problem.Devereaux did not have a French accent, which I found off putting.

Mystery, suspense and murder follow the defection of a top soviet spy.The story concerns itself with the Cuban Missile Crises (circa 1962) and French intelligence's intervention in Cuba with respect to American interests.A French intelligence officer's wife is having an affair with a man, codename "Topaz", and the point is made that all wives always talk "shop" concerning the work of their spy spouses. Thus, "Topaz" knows everything;The husband, a French intelligence officer, is having an affair with the beautiful head of a subversive underground group in Havana. Before starting this movement, she played an important role in the seating of Fidel Castro, as Batista was fleeing. The national respect earned by her work provided a position of influence, but since that time, she has observed that the Castro government is not the government she wanted, so creates a new underground movement for personally satisfaction.This is a quiet, subtle Hitchcock film without major film stars; that is, stars recognizable to American audiences. But it definitely is Hitchcock, from a book by Leon Uris.While searching "Topaz" for Hitchcock's cameo appearance, remember he can be seen behind every camera.

Je collectionne les films d’Hitchkock. Je m’achète un film par mois. Ce mois ci je découvre « L’ÉTAU », juste génial, un casting de grands talents comme toujours. Un régal pour tout collectionneur.

classico da rivedere nel tempo ...

Still good to watch even after 50 years..

Muy buena remasterizacion, que nos trae los exitos de Hitchcok.Audio Stereo en castellano de alta definicion, el doblaje original pero a una buena calidad.Perfecta para los amantes del maestro del suspense.Que decir del servicio de envio, de 10Muy recomendable

Was it to save money, or avoid the odd conflict with a star? Hitchcock made this film without stars (still with good actors). For me the result was that I can't forget a second of this film, it's real and true as a documentary, and it's the story of an exemplary man who gives the priority to his personal convictions as against the interest of his country, the former Soviet Union, which he leaves. Done in a very realistic way, you feel it's true and it did happen really (as it did many times whenever a man fled a dictatorial regime).