If you like nifty nail biters, this is your movie. It's as exciting as 007. But this is a true story. Apart from the suspense, which kept me on the edge of my chair for two hours, this film also superbly captures the grim atmosphere of the Soviet bloc in the seventies and the unpleasant bureaucracy (and unpleasant people) of the communist military. It's also a nice touch to set it in wintertime Warsaw. There is a totally surprising ending (even if it is a true story) the message of which seems to be that the American security establishment is every bit as ominous as its communist counterparts. I rated this a nine rather than ten only because I thought it was a little too long and because of the car chase at the end which was a needless Hollywood touch to a movie that does extremely well without Hollywood.The level of violence is not offensive although one suicide scene is perhaps a little more graphic than most of us would like. But if you enjoy spy pictures, you'll LOVE this one.
Review of Jack Strong
