Sorry i just expected more, improbable storyline and i never connected to the characters. It seriously dragged for me, non of the scenes were tense and i just wasnt drawn in or cared.
Paul Newman in his prime couldnt raise this turgid movie, his part could have been played by anyone. It certainly isnt the 39 steps.
This was reportedly one of Hitchcock's most unhappy directing jobs. What interested me with Torn Curtain is the murder scene and Kieling's performance. Hitchcock didn't want Paul Newman and Julie Andrews. He wanted Anthony Perkins and Eva Marie Saint for the leading roles. But the studio forced Hitchcock to cast Paul Newman and Julie Andrews.
I just watched it and, yes, parts of it are boring. Very often it is obvious that the scenes were shot in a studio, and some of "East Berlin" was obviously shot in West Berlin. The most absurd scene in my view is that roadblock by army deserters. I mean, come on. On the other hand, the principal idea of the "special" bus our isn't so bad. The scene when Lindt explains his ideas to Armstrong was funny, the murder scene was quite impressive. Gave it a 6 out of 10 due to some good scenes and performances.
shareI gave it a 7/10. Decent film but disappointing. Compensated by some great scenes and in general some good performances and direction. My problems were the pace, the script and I did find the score forgettable and not suspenseful enough.
"Life after death is as improbable as sex after marriage"- Madeleine Kahn(CLUE, 1985)
It is very very Boring!!!! Mostly due to the storyline and dialogue. Not having Bernard Herrmann's music didn't help it either!
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Interference of Universal and Paul Newman made this film very weak. It would have been a very good film if Hitchcock was able to cast Perkins for Professor Armstrong. But the studio forced him to cast Paul Newman.
I think people struggle with Hitchcock's later works. Family Plot, Frenzy, Topaz and this one are in my opinion, while not great movies are good movies in their own right..While this, or any of the latter works are not of the calibre of 39 Steps, Rope, Secret Agent, or The Lodger they are certainly different, such as The Trouble with Harry which doesnt' even look like a Hitchcock film they are all good films that have to be viewed and judged on their own merit. Unfortunately they all get compared with Psycho, The Birds, and North by Northwest which is a shame.
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