MovieChat Forums > Torn Curtain (1966) Discussion > Must've missed something plot-wise

Must've missed something plot-wise

posted 12 years ago by mrnocal
3 replies | jump to latest

Just watched it and didn't know what the motive of Newman's character, Armstrong was (join the anti-American facet or try to sabotage it or what?). Maybe the whiskification™ clouded my interpretation of what was going on in this movie? Or maybe I missed some 2 minute segment that explained whatever? Liked the movie very much (some great scenes and kept me interested the entire time), but just didn't follow the plot or reasoning of the main characters. Maybe not knowing Armstrong's motive/purpose was what it was all about? I be mystified!

[–] heyuactor 11 years ago

It's been a while since you posted this question and I'm sure there are experts of this film that come to this board, but as an answer, I recall Armstrong explaining early on that he needed the East German scientist's theory (formula?) to complete his (Armstrong's) work on the anti-missile weapon. He seems to have been acting on his own to trick the other scientist out of the info (which he did do). Hope that helps.

"Did you make coffee...? Make it!"--Cheyenne.

[–] shoobe01 10 years ago

Yup, while riding the tractor it is revealed that he is stuck on his anti-missile missile, and thinks that professor whatever can help him. So he cooked up this scheme all by himself to trick the prof into telling him.

Yes, without the CIA or anyone. Seems a stretch that he was able to pull all this together, and is then pretty incapable of doing things like understanding a word of German. I kept hoping it was a put on, and he spoke the language etc but no.

[–] hisgrandmogulhighness 10 years ago

Somebody was running Armstrong . . . and they may have had help on the East German side . . . that's how he got away with what he was doing . . .