Amazon.com essential video

Eye of the Needle is a superbly effective World War II spythriller from the Ken Follettbestseller of the same name. Donald Sutherland is "the Needle," a German spy in England bearing critical information on Allied invasion plans that he must deliver personally to the Führer. He's so named because of his preferred method of assassination, the stiletto. As played by Sutherland, he's a coldly calculating psychopath, emotionlessly focused on the task at hand, whether the task is to signal a U-boat or to gut a witness to avoid exposure. On his way back to Germany, a fierce storm strands him on an island, occupied only by a woman (Kate Nelligan), her disabled husband, and the lighthouse keeper. A romance of sorts develops between the woman and the spy, due to an estrangement of affections between the woman and her husband, whose accident has rendered him emotionally crippled as well. Much of the suspense of the latter half of the movie has to do with this romance, and the way it begins to reveal the Needle's motivations and whether there's a sympathetic personality buried somewhere inside him, though he remains by-and-large tantalizingly enigmatic. Early on, we discover that he may not enjoy the hand life has dealt him. When a courier asks him about the way he lives, and "What else can one do?" the Needle answers, "One can just stop." But as the film makes amply clear in its final third, one doesn't stop, does one? The direction by Richard Marquand (known primarily for thrillers such as this one and Jagged Edge, although he also did Return of the Jedi) is crisply done, boasting numerous suspenseful episodes, including a deadly encounter between Sutherland and the disabled husband, which is jaw-droppingly surprising. --Jim Gay ... Read more

Reviews (17)

Marvellous.
Sutherland and Nelligan are brilliant, in this old favorite of mine. It's the kind of classic spy movie you never get tired of. However, I think you probably need to be familiar with the movie already, in order to really appreciate it. -By that I mean, its pace might actually be a little too slow for someone watching it now for the first time. But this of course happens to be one of the many good things about it; it takes the time it needs to tell the story, establish the mood and the cold persona of the ruthless "Needle". (It's quite sad to think just how much most certainly would've been considered a waste of time, and ended up on the cutting-room floor if made today.) The picture on the DVD is quite good and sharp most of the time, especially the outdoor-scenes at daytime. By the way, there's an aternative ending of the movie in existence (with cop Bannen arriving by helicopter), and it would've been nice if MGM had included it as an extra bonus treat. Still, this simple tale is a true classic and well-worth getting.

Finding a needle in a hay stack
There are not enough stars to describe this movie. As with any movie, if the entire book " ISBN: 0451163486" were portrayed, the movie would take eight hours "Audio Cassette ISBN: 1561000116." Therefor they could only show the relevant parts and had to do some voice over action to explain the missing logic. But they did not change the plot or the essence of the plot. And I would not think in a million years that Donald Sutherland would be picked to play Henry Faber. Yet now that I see the movie, He is the only person that could be believable as an attractive aloof German spy. Where did they find Kate Nelligan, who played Lucy so well? The island "Isle of Mull, Scotland, UK" looked just like the book. I am glad this is on DVD, as the as tapes tend to ware out.

A PIERCING NEEDLE
Donald Sutherland has tended to be one of our finest actors, overlooked and dismissed by many critics. Sure, he's done some floppers (e.g. Virus), but in this movie he shows why he's such a riveting performer. He plays the Needle, a cold, psychotic killer, who is a German spy and holds the key to knowledge of the D-Day invasion. He ends up shipwrecked on a lonely island, inhabited only by a reclusive cripple and his devoted, if lonely, wife. Kate Nelligan (so good in "Dracula" with Frank Langella) is perfect as Lucy, the woman whose need for love leads to an affair with the Needle. Christopher Cazenove turns in a good performance as her husband, whose bitterness over his auto accident, has turned him into an uncaring, selfish man. Director Richard Marquand keeps the movie moving at a leisurely pace, but packs some powerful suspense scenes; the score by Miklos Roza is admirable, and the scenery is lush and beautiful. I havent' read Ken Follett's novel, but this is a great movie and hopefully did it justice.

Happy Petersen
MARVELOUS, keeps you rivitrd to the story. One of my favorite Follrt works. ZThe book is sensational. I edon't have a DVD

Magnificent.
This saga of a German WWII spy is absolutely fantastic. Donald Sutherland turns in a wonderful performance as Faber ( a great performance is not always given by Sutherland).

The use of the stiletto to enforce Faber's secrets is truly an inspired touch by the director.

This movie is tragic, yet cunningly directed and acted. All of this while starring relative unknowns (excepting Sutherland).

This is definitely the best spy movie of all time. ... Read more

Reviews (20)

My Belgian Prince
I've just joined Netflix. It is an excellent DVD rental club. I looked up this, my favorite love story and was devastated to find that it's not available on DVD format. I've seen this movie so many times. Most memorable was during an affair with a Belgian prince. We would watch a foreign movie in bed on Sunday mornings in San Francisco many years ago. We'd sip on champagne and get lost in a film. It was so funny! He spoke several languages and when a film had subtitles he would occasionally nudge me and translate for me. WELL........he would obviously forget that I could read the English subtitles just fine!!! This however was in English and was so true to the American woman lost to romance with a classy European man.

Falling in Love with Thierry Lhermitte
I first saw this movie a number of years ago, and once owned it on VHS. I thought most CERTAINLY it would come out on DVD, but as yet it hasn't. This is a most romantic movie. I thought that if all French men were as Theirry Lhemitte, in their good looks, their speech and mannerisms they were adorable. I wish this movie would come out on DVD, for I most certainly would buy it. Its great, you love Karen Allen's character & you love Theirry Lhemitte in his role. When I watched him in "Le Divorce", I was once again reminded of his beauty as a man.

Until September a great romantic movie!
I just saw this movie for the first time about six weeks ago. I have now seen it four times. I love this movie! It has now become one of my top 10 favorite movies of all-time!Please MGM release it on DVD. I have e-mailed them and asked for them to do this. I hope some other people will do the same. This is a beautiful love story, that is well acted, and which features a beautiful musical theme, as well as beautiful scenery. The two stars have a great chemistry together. What more can i say about this film. I liked everything in this film.

Wonderful Roman in the City of Lights
No matter how many times I watch "Until September" I never tire of seeing this movie. It has been just over 20 years since the filming completed in Paris and this movie remains steadfast in my mind and heart and has actually proven more powerful as the years pass! Karen Allen and Thierry Lhermitte both are commended for excellent performances that have withstood the test of time with this movie as other viewers can attest to as well. In addition I highly recommend the soundtrack by John Barry for Until September which is available on CD. For Thierry Lhermitte, not only was he superb in "Until September" he has grown even better with age - like a fine wine and shows no signs of slowing down! Thank goodness!

A beautiful double feature is awaiting.....
I "re-found" this movie after watching "Le Divorce" the other day and instantly felt a recognition of Theirry Lhemitte's character. Then it came to me...this man was Xavier from "Until September!" I then remembered how I use to (years ago) watch this wonderful movie over and over again. With that in mind, I went on E-Bay and Amazon trying to find another copy of it....hoping all along that it was on DVD. To my surprise I found that the VHS copies out there were few and far between, being out of print, and $50 or more with no DVD in sight. With that in mind, my husband suggested I search of my old VHS movies I had stowed away and guess what.....THERE IT WAS! I now have a beautiful "almost new" copy of this wonderful love story to watch over and over once again. It is one of those timeless love stories that puts me in a time warp of sorts as it is so odd to see such a beautiful man twenty years older within a span of several hours. My double feature is awaiting me so I must go....."Until September" and "Le Divorce" here I come! ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Katherine and sam make a nice couple
I remember seeing the preview for this movie in the theaters when i was three years old watching superman and it scared the crap outta me. after seeing it years later it wasnt as scary as i expected but still an interesting chiller.
Katherine Ross and Sam Elliot play an American couple who get in a motorcycle accident in England. they stay at a mansion where 5 other people including katherine ross are in a cult. and one by one they die till only two are left. Acting is good all around.
the part that stands out in my mind when i was a little kid was when the woman fell under the water and was trapped. Then again when i saw it years later it wasnt that scary. Still all in all an interesting movie with a plot twist. oh, and nice title song another side of me by kiki dee!

just enjoy the scenery
Katherine Ross & Sam Elliott are a true joy to watch (as always). The plot of this movie could have been much much better but you grab the storyline after a while and just enjoy it. As with these type of movies, it is just for your enjoyment and not to be analyzed to death. If anything, ladies just watch it for the sole purpose of seeing Sam Elliott!!!!

A pretty good "and then there were none" movie.
Yep, you can say all you want about what this movie is not. However you watch a movie for what it is. The movie is packed with seasoned actors. The story is just as spooky as any scary movie and the plot gets revealed in little doses as the protagonists are slowly eliminated. Even the elimination has a clear reason and serves the end purpose.

This does have a 70's TV movie feel however they made some good TV movies in the 70's. This did not require exotic graphics. And the end was appropriate with enough leeway to start a series.

The person that playas the nurse/cat (Margaret Tyzack) can be seen again as a mysterious person in "Agatha Christie's Miss Marple, V. 7: Nemesis" (1986) ASIN: 6303404855. Just put the number in the search box and press "GO!"

PROMISING MATERIAL GONE BAD
While the original script, something called "The Devil's Doorway," showed promise, various re-writes and compromises have resulted in a movie which makes so little sense that it's best viewed as an "in-flight" movie. One of those things you halfway watch while doing something else.

The movie begins with a basic implausibility. Interior decorator Katherine Ross is lured from L.A. to England by a lucrative but mysterious job offer. She and boyfriend Sam Elliott decide to fly over a few days early to see some of the English countryside. They're involved in a minor motor accident on a rustic lane and are taken by the other driver to his nearby home to await repair of their vehicle. What do you know, this home just happens to be the very place where Katherine Ross was intended to go all along!

Therein follows some murky activities involving other guests at the home who seem to be part of a Black Magic cult. Gruesome death follows gruesome death culminating in an ending which doesn't really resolve questions raised by the preceding plot.

On the plus side, the two leads are attractive sorts and they're surrounded by a competent British cast which gives a better effort than circumstances warrant. What's more, the large countryhouse in which the action occurs provides just the right atmosphere.

One curious note. While Katherine Ross is warmly dressed throughout with turtleneck sweaters and long skirts, co-star Sam Elliott gets to strip for a rather-extended shower scene. As he crosses the bathroom toward the shower, the camera lingers on the back of his naked body, even though this part of the scene serves no plot purpose whatsoever.

Fortunately Elliott, at about age 33, has the necessary buns-by-Michelangelo to make this moment more of a highlight than an embarrassment.

"Painfully" campy horror movie done by husband & wife. Fun!
I collect movies made by Sam Elliot. It is always a treat to see him portray a character other than a cowboy. Sam and his real-life wife, Katherine Ross, manage to make a pretty good horror movie for us. As with all movies of this genre, the plot has a few "holes" in it, but over-all, the suspense and decent acting contribute to make an entertaining hour and a half. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Did he do it or didn't he? That is the question.
"JAGGED EDGE" begins on a stormy night at a beach home. A killer walks through the halls with a jagged hunting knife in his hands. After he has killed a rich woman and her maid, and written the "B" word on the wall with her blood, Jack Forrester, the victim's husband, is arrested. Glenn Close plays his lawyer who falls in love with him. The two have a forbidden affair. Did he do it? Or didn't he? There's plenty of evidence on both sides. Is Glenn Close's character defending him because she honestly believes in her mind he is innocent, or is "another part of her anatomy" doing the thinking? Suspense and mystery are so well done in this film, and it is never boring. What an exquisite movie, with marvelous performances from Glenn Close and Jeff Bridges. The beginning is very eerie and frightening, but it would have been even more frightening had it not been on a "mysterious stormy night" like most thrillers, and it was just a nice, serene night, and suddenly he comes in and kills her. Still, it was very well done. The ending could have included more detail, but really, I loved the movie so much, I don't care. WHAT A MYSTERY! WHAT TWISTS! WHAT A THRILLING RIDE! FOR FANS OF MYSTERY AND COURTROOM DRAMA I DEFINELY RECOMMEND THIS SPECTACULAR FILM!!! P.S. The music perfectly fit the moods of the movie too.

Close Call
Jagged Edge is a notable thriller, and while it will more than hold your interest, some elements of the story are a bit problematic

When a San Francisco socialite is brutally attacked and murdered, her publisher-husband, Jack Forrester (Jeff Bridges), is accused of the crime. Teddy Barnes (Glenn Close) decides to defend the charming, manipulative Jack, only to disregard legal ethics by having a torrid affair with him. With the help of private eye Sam Ransom (Robert Loggia), she takes on ruthless D.A. Thomas Krasney (Peter Coyote) who's using the case as a political stepping-stone and will do anything it takes to win a conviction.

Rather infamous screenwriter Joe Eszterhas certainly knows the highs and lows of a lopsided career. He has gone from writing gems like Basic Insinct, to the mediocre at best...Sliver, to total trash that is Showgirls. I would put this particular story somewhere between Basic Instict (not as good) and Showgirls (not as bad) The way that Jack and Teddy get together seems a bit forced in my opinion. The ambiguity of Forrester's guilt or innocence throughout isn't as effective here and is foreshadowed too early for my tastes. Close gives a strong performance as Teddy, a woman torn between her judicial duties, and her attraction for her client. The forbidden affair component probably prepared her for her turn later on in Fatal Attraction. For his part, Bridges is Ok, but doesn't have the needed range to handle the duality of his character on a consistant level throughout the movie...The late Richard Marquand proves that you can direct a mega sci-fi epic, like Return Of The Jedi, and then take on a thriller like this. Clearly, he was going for a film that oozes the Hitchcock style, as a homage and not a mere rip off. Most of the film works--save for a few missteps and hiccups that I mentioned.

The DVD doesn't have much on it, in the way of bonus material, save for a few production notes and the seemingly standard theatrical trailer. You can choose to watch the movie in either the full-screen, or, widescreen formats.

Despite a few of my "issues", with Jagged Edge, I still recommend it.

Typical Courtroom Drama that Falls Below Expectations
I won't say Jagged Edge isn't good or entertaining because it is a very good film. The problem starts with loopholes within a terribly predictable plot. By the middle of the film, even the smart defense tactics of Teddy Barnes ( Glenn Close ) can't help the film's demise. There was no question that Jack Forrester ( Jeff Bridges ) committed the murders. The problem is the director can't keep this a secret for very long.

There is no difference between this and a million other courtroom dramas. You have the smart, fiesty female lawyer who swears to everyone she won't fall for the charms of the handsome rich defendent but, of course she falls for his charms and into his bed. From that point Teddy Barnes lost all credibility of claiming she's a smart lawyer. The plot doesn't stay true to the characters. Teddy's a smart woman yet she plays the dumb victim at every turn. She misses signs anyone in their first year of law school should spot. Jack is painted as suave and brilliant yet he leaves the typewriter ( the item that brings it all together ) in his closet for Teddy to find. Jagged Edge has a lot of supposedly smart folks doing dumb things and it makes no sense. The film started out as an intelligent thriller but switched to a cheap serial killer flick with a tacky and very stupid ending.

On the flipside, this is a very good movie IF you watch it for entertainment only. If you watch it for knowledge or to see a good thriller you are wasting your time. The plot can be figured out by a five year-old in ten minutes and this film is NOTHING unique. Close's and Bridges' chemistry keeps you interested no matter how shabby the film ends up. But the true winners are Robert Loggia and Peter Coyote who steal the show easily with their vibrant, exciting performances. Loggia brought some comedy relief to the drabby scenes and Coyote sparked things up when Close got boring. Jeff Bridges appeared quite dry and I didn't buy him as someone with the brains of masterminding a so-called great plan. Glenn Close played Teddy the way she should have been played. The problem is the character was written with too much heart and not enough brain. That's not too good for a lead character that everyone keeps claiming is such a great lawyer. I would definitely recommend this but beware...disappointments await just around the corner. Since Jagged Edge was made there have been hundreds of films of this nature. I would recommend 1993's Guilty As Sin as one that should be top on your list.

a comfortable favorite
I come back to this film quite a bit - it's a great way to pass a quiet afternoon or a sick day from work. Part of its appeal, I think, is the viewer's familiarity with the suspense/sourtroom drama genre. We know how these films go, and this one has all the elements: a handful of suspects, a conflicted defense attorney, a victim with a complicated past, and a likeable defendant on trial. The writing, acting and directing make these familiar materials into a particularly enjoyable film though, through their attention to detail and craft.

If you enjoy watching real pros work their changes on a familiar
convention, you'll enjoy this entertaining suspense flick.

I screamed out loud
I just knew he was going to come thru that back door. I knew it, I knew it, I knew it. But I still screamed when he finally did. Jagged Edge is a twisted tale of a lawyer (Glenn Close) who defends a publisher accused of murder - and in the process she ends up falling in love with him. Played by Jeff Bridges, the publisher is, shall we say, duplicitous and perhaps not entirely to be trusted - or believed. It's when Close begins to doubt her own defense tactics that things get scary. I won't say more, because if you haven't seen Jagged Edge yet, I wouldn't want to spoil it.
But trust me: you'll scream. ... Read more