The Odessa File (1974)

Based on a novel by Frederick Forsyth, this spy-thriller actually introduces its protagonist with a polka. Jon Voight looks fittingly scared and distraught. Like a man who has not slept for weeks. It's only about to get worse for him, though.

These opening scenes are strangely long, and it's unknown what effect they are trying to achieve or show. Not even the opening credit is long enough for it, nor the main theme. 

As this film deals with the aftermath of the war, and in particular parts of the holocaust, it is a bleak story. Slow, unnerving at times, particularly the first third. The Germans are not interested in more stories about Jews as it reminds them of the war, thus making clear the frustrations of our protagonist as no one will support his work. This angle disappears after a while, but gradually enough for it not to feel disjointed.

Where the film goes very right, is in the creation of increasing danger. In the beginning, the hidden agendas consider our protagonist as little more than a nuisance, and his biggest problem is that he is stonewalled. A further poke at the right people, and he is given a beating. A little further and they make an attempt to kill him. After this, it is obvious he has been noticed, and the danger spreads to those around him. Very nice build-up.

I do prefer the older spy-flicks to the modern. Particularly for the fact that they don't have a timer for when they have to have someone shoot or blow something up. Thus meaning one does not lose the natural flow of the story. And more importantly: It leaves room for clever dialogue and intellectual traps. Try to find that in Jason Bourne!

Why they would hire a known quantity as Andrew Lloyd Webber to compose the music seems strange, as music is very rarely used (and God-awful). I like the effect though. Silence leaves so much more room for little sounds and observations. Kudos to director Roland Neame. It leaves the sneaking parts much, much more tense and has the viewer at the edge of his sear.  
On a more sour note, it feels unnecessary that all actors speak with a German accent. OK, so the story is German, but if you want to make a German story in German, then hire German actors. Hearing Americans trying to have a German accent is most annoying. That they shout "prost" when they drink schnaps, only strengthens the hypocrisy.

All in all, this is a good spymovie with a decent plot, and as it is an old one, it even has a cool twist, that isn't simply stupid.

7/10