The Odessa File

Starring:Jon Voight, Maximilian Schell, Maria Schell, Mary Tamm, Derek Jacobi, Peter Jeffrey, Klaus LÃ¶witsch, Kurt Meisel, Hannes Messemer, Garfield Morgan, Shmuel Rodensky, Ernst SchrÃ¶der, GÃ¼nter Strack, Noel Willman, Martin Brandt, Hans Caninenberg, Heinz Ehrenfreund, Alexander Golling, Towje Kleiner, GÃ¼nter Meisner
Director: Ronald Neame
Studio: Sony Pictures
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

An overeager German journalist (Jon Voight) discovers a long-buried secret plot beginning to resurface in this moderately compelling, surprisingly straightforward adaptation of a novel by conspiracy whiz Fredrick (Day of the Jackal) Forsythe. Although this somewhat pokey suspenser never quite flows the way a classic espionage thriller should, it does offer a number of compelling diversions along the way, including a blessedly nonhammy (and impressively accented) performance by Voight, Derek Jacobi's amusingly Freudian supporting turn, and a tremendously physical hand-to-hand confrontation in a print shop that leaves no pane of glass intact. Maximillian Schell's scenery-chewing, deliciously evil cameo almost makes this worth the watch by itself. Andrew Lloyd Webber composed the garishly florid (yet somehow effective) score. --Andrew Wright

Customer Reviews:

AN EXAMPLE OF HOW TO ROYALLY SCREW UP A GREAT ENDING.......2006-10-08

I have read the novel 'The Odessa File' and absolutely loved it. The ending was one of the cleverest I've ever read. I rented the movie to see what they could do to the great book. Boy did they mess it up. They re-did the whole ending, and it was horrible. I won't give it away, in case anyone chooses to watch this film. Besides the ending and another change involving Sigi at home, I liked the film. If you're a fan of the novel watch this, but be prepared to shake your head at the lousy climax.

SSuspenseful!.......2006-05-17

Voight is spot on in this superior suspense and intrigue film. I missed this when it was released and had only mild expectations for it, but once again, I am pleasantly surprised to find another underrated gem. Previously, I thought Deliverance to be my favorite Jon Voight appearance, but The Odessa File allows him to give a sustained excellent performance as a German journalist uncovering facts too disturbing to set aside. Don't let the unlikely Perry Como Christmas song over the opening credits put you off. You'll soon be pulled into a "hunter as hunted" mystery of convincing authenticity. Jon Voight is perfect for the role. Evidence to his terrific performance is that his character must "play" an older Nazi. At that point it becomes difficult who's doing the better acting: Jon Voight as the German journalist, or his character portraying the Nazi. Then it becomes obvious that whatever is the correct answer, Jon Voight wins! Still,I would rate it his SECOND best work, considering that not long after Odessa File was released he was producing Angelina Jolie.

the writer of "the day of the jackel"gives us "the odessa file".......2006-05-03

fredrick forsighths "the odessa file" is one of many thrillers that came out post "watergate" that took the view that the whole world was corupted and the only people who could show us the light was reporters(after all woodword and berenstien had found out about "watergate" and let us know).
1963(yes i know the time frame isn't set during the "watergate" period the movies was made then the 1970's) kenededy has been killed and the world is still in shock,plus as always the middle east is ready to exploide now that egypt has missiles and as soon as it gets gudience for them,they plan to attack isreal yet again, and in germany a young german reporter(a very good jon voight) is reading the diary of a jewish man who has killed himself. the diary tells of the mans's stay at one of the "Camps" that was set aside for jews during world war II. it tells of the man and his wife and how a captain did tereible things to the man and caused the death of his wife. but after the war just weeks before the man kills himself he see's the captain walking down the street. now voight becomes the avenger for the man and really the jewish people as he goes after the s.s. funded "odessa " a group that hides and gives new lives to war criminals,like our captain in the diary.
slow moving at times, the movie is good,but don't expect "die hard" kind of action. if you give it a chance you may like this thriller>

for rent only.......2005-12-25

A weak action spying movie from the 70's. Good to rent only, for the days when you REALLY have nothing elso to do. Quality of the picture and sound of the DVD is just basic. Don't waste any money buying this DVD.

Not a bit dated.......2005-03-04

"Period pieces" often age well, and The Odessa File is no exception. It's 1963, and the movie makes you realize that that's not so long after the war, really, and it shaped the lives of young people like Jon Voight's character who bore no adult responsibility for it.

Well-acted and -written, with most of the suspense coming from clever plot developments rather than action sequences (well, except one realistic, bruising fight). I'd forgotten what a low-key, intelligent, attractive actor Voight is.

Average customer rating:

AN EXAMPLE OF HOW TO ROYALLY SCREW UP A GREAT ENDING
SSuspenseful!
the writer of "the day of the jackel"gives us "the odessa file"
for rent only
Not a bit dated

The Odessa File [Region 2]
Starring: Jon Voight , Maximilian Schell , Maria Schell , Mary Tamm , and Derek Jacobi
Director: Ronald Neame
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Thrillers | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

( O ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B00005UL96