[.ca] Torn Curtain

From Amazon.com:
Paul Newman and Julie Andrews star in what must unfortunately be called one of Alfred Hitchcock's lesser efforts. Still, sub-par Hitchcock is better than a lot of what's out there, and this one is well worth a look. Newman plays cold war physicist Michael Armstrong, while Andrews plays his lovely assistant-and-fiancée, Sarah Sherman. Armstrong has been working on a missile defense system that will "make nuclear defense obsolete," and naturally both sides are very interested. All Sarah cares about is the fact that Michael has been acting awfully fishy lately. The suspense of Torn Curtain is by nature not as thrilling as that in the average Hitchcock film--much of it involves sitting still and wondering if the bad guys are getting closer. Still, Hitchcock manages to amuse himself: there is some beautifully clever camera work and an excruciating sequence that illustrates the frequent Hitchcock point that death is not a tidy business. --Ali Davis

Chronique amazon.fr:
C'est sous la contrainte de ses producteurs qu'Hitchcock réalise Le Rideau déchiré. Il signe pourtant une brillante production, même si elle est plus commerciale que personnelle. Michael Armstrong, physicien nucléaire américain, profite d'un congrès à Copenhague pour fuir et passer à l'Est. Sa fiancée et collaboratrice, Sarah Sherman, le suit, surprise et déçue. Avec son style et sa maîtrise du langage cinématographique, Hitchcock une fois de plus nous manipule à sa guise et nous embarque dans une intrigue d'espionnage et de formule secrète. Son style révèle toute son intelligence lors de scènes épiques où le temps s'étire laissant s'installer le climat favori du Maître. Après avoir réalisé ensemble plusieurs films majeurs de l'histoire du Septième Art, Bernard Herrmann, compositeur de la musique, et Hitchcock se déchirent pendant le film ; le maître refuse la partition d'Herrmann et fait refaire la musique. --Christophe Gagnot

The Master's Worst:
Every genius is entitled to one fall from grace...& this is definitely Hitchcock's. Paul Newman(looking absolutely beautiful here)& Julie Andrews are shockingly miscast, the suspense is minimal & Hitch himself was obviously bored. For true auteurs, you all know what that means. We'll be bored too...

Suspensefull:
I thought this was a great movie.I enjoyed the chemistry between Paul Newman and Julie Andrews.I think it added to the frustration that she felt,not knowing what her Fiance'was up to.I felt the murder scene of Gromeck was very shocking or at the very least grisly and graphic.I enjoyed the bus scene and the scenes where the older woman was trying to help the two lovers escape from their captors . This is one of my favorite Hitchcock films.

Not Terrible, But FAR From His Best...:
Hitchcock's TORN CURTAIN may not necessariy be the disaster people sometimes make out to be...but when viewed alongside his best films, it sure seems like it! It's easy to pinpoint the flaws here. The pacing here is sometimes painfully slow. There is almost zero rapport or chemistry between Newman and Andrews. Both seem ill at ease in their roles, ESPECIALLY Paul Newman. And poor Julie Andrews has to utter the terrible line "but...that's behind the Iron Curtain!" Andrews' role as written is shockingly dumb- the audience has figured out that somethings up with Newmans' supposed defection LONG before his own fiancee does! Then...the scene where it Hitch reconnects- the murder of Gromek. Still not on a par with, say, his legendary windmill scene, or his cropdusting scene, Hitchcock is at least displaying some imagination, and supplying some tension to a film that, by this reel, desperately needs it. However, the film then unravels and can't quite get itself together. If the Academy gave awards for overacting, Lila Kedrova would have been a shoo-in, because she goes WAAAAAAY over the top as the Countess. I've been overall negative, because it should be admitted that TORN CURTAIN is still leaps and bounds ahead of many other films (hence my 3 star rating). However, if you do watch it, try not to catch in the same time period as viewing NORTH BY NORTHWEST, NOTORIOUS or STRANGERS ON A TRAIN. It will seem a much better film... Not a trainwreck...but an overall disappointment...

An Exciting Cold War Drama!:
Amazon's own reviewer says this is one of Hitchcock's "lesser efforts"... I disagree. There are some amazing scenes in this film, gorgeous cinematography, stunning action scenes, a great chase and tension everywhere. This is not "North by Northwest" or "Vertigo".... but it is just as exciting, if not more so than "The Man Who Knew Too Much", "39 Steps" and "Rear Window". Julie Andrews is stunning and superb as the wife who does not know who her husband seems to be working for. Paul Newman is perfectly cast as the mysterious and secretive husband... and the supporting cast is incredible.... especially Wolfgang Kieling was "Gromek", the relentless and sadistic kidnapper. Real life ballerina Tamara Toumanova who dances beautifully, but who comes complete with an "evil eye" on things. Lila Kedrova whos words "Will you be my sponsor?" will haunt you long after the movie ends.... and Carolyn Conwell, who is amazing along with Paul Newman's character in the farm scene! Wow!! The DVD transfer is superb and this film is a sure winner all the way.

"It takes a scientist to pick a scientist's mind":
"Torn Curtain" (1966) is a good Hitchcock movie, it just isn't an excellent one. From my point of view, this film is entertaining, but not something you will remember after watching it. The main character is Michael Armstrong (Paul Newman), an American scientist that defects to East Germany, to the despair of his fiancée and assistant, Sarah Sherman (Julie Andrews), who decides to follow him. However, things are not what they seem, as the spectator will realize soon enough. Is "Torn curtain" a movie you should watch? Yes, if you are a serious Hitchcock fan, or have nothing better to do with your time. Personally, I liked it, but not a lot, and I am in no rush to watch it again. Belen Alcat