User reviews

The most impressive thing about this movie is the way the director manages the tone of this film. The balance between comedy and drama is handled with great aplomb. This is best in encapsulated in the Myerson character. His ineptness is clearly the comic relief yet he also is trying to hunt down Kendig. I had seen other films where Matthau was in a supporting role like Mirage and Charade but here he is the star and he carries the film perfectly. The new Criterion Collection DVD has a very interesting interviews that add immensely to the appreciation of the film. 8/10.

After growing tired of the job, CIA agent Miles Kendig decides to get out of the business once and for all. Fearing that his peace, and maybe his life, could be threatened by the organisation, he tells them that unless he is left alone he will spill the beans on all the secrets that he knows about. They call his bluff, thinking he is full of bitter hot air, so he promptly starts sending out to them one chapter at a time. Realising that Kendig is serious, the CIA sets about putting a stop to him, by whatever means necessary!!. But with Kendig having been one of their own once, he is one shrewd customer, and stopping him is going to be one hell of a job.

Based on the Brian Garfield novel, Hopscotch is a cheeky comedy paced with utter perfection from director Ronald Neame. Featuring a very accomplished cast, Walter Matthau, Glenda Jackson, Herbert Lom, Ned Beatty & Sam Waterston, Hopscotch relies on a sharp script and incredibly appealing dialogue to bring home the bacon, and it does, admirably so. It's the type of film that one knows is not about winning awards, the kind of film that is an actors film, where everyone is comfortable with the material and appears to be having a great time. The lead role of Kendig is tailor made for Matthau, ambling along at his own pace with a glint in his eye and a quip on his tongue, Matthau carries the film with charming ease. The others all contribute of course, but the comedy gold comes from Walter and that lived in face of his. So bits of drama here, bits of comedy there, Hopscotch is a very well made and hugely enjoyable picture, recommended. 7/10

Hopscotch (1980)

A lightweight, enjoyable entertainment about an aging spy who has fun going renegade in his final weeks.

I have to admit I liked the movie for the congeniality of Walter Matthau. While not as zany (and original) as the much earlier "Charade" (also with Matthau), "Hopscotch" shares a lot of the feel of that movie, with villains who aren't quite villainous, and a leading man who is part bumbling and part a step ahead of the game. The supporting cast is fun, though just barely--both of the key CIA guys after our hero are good actors at their best, but they are not at their best here, especially Sam Waterston in a wishy-washy role. Most peculiar of all, and almost scotch-taped into both the plot and the casting, is very British and very different actress Glenda Jackson, a former spy who chips in as needed, and plays a growing role as things proceed.

British director Ronald Neame (who directed "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie" and "The Odessa File") is completely in charge here, making the most of a middling script that uses well worn or barely surprising twists and gags to keep a potentially violent espionage film from ever leaving light comedy. Because in fact the pace is consistent and the filming (under the eye of Arthur Ibbeteson, also British) is completely fine, if nothing to write home about. In fact, this feels like high budget British television, which is something different than pure Hollywood. Or it might feel like 1960 Hollywood widescreen with minor updates--not including the 1960s Hollywood star, Mr. Matthau.

But it is Matthau's movie, fortunately. He can be a convincing bumpkin and a warm hearted fellow, and he can be clever beneath his seeming simplicity. All of this is an advantage here, and you are completely on his side as he thwarts, with winks and tricks, the supposedly superior forces of a full press CIA assault. Expect some fun, and you won't be disappointed.

I saw this movie when it was released twenty-four years ago and I am happy to say that it has not aged at all. It is just as funny and delightful today as it was then. "Hopscotch" is a diamond in the rough and a real gem. Walter Matthau plays an experienced CIA agent, Miles Kendig, who is sentence to a desk job by his idiot boss, for disciplinary reasons.

If you are a Walter Matthau fan then this is a must see movie. If you are not familiar with Matthau then `Hopscotch' will be a great introduction to one of the most talented actors in Hollywood history. Even though `Hopscotch' is based from a novel the role of Miles Kendig must have been written for Walter Matthau. He was brilliant!

I certainly don't want to over shadow the terrific supporting cast. Ned Beatty and Glanda Jackson were superb. You will also get to see a very young Sam Waterston. Pay special attention to CIA agent `Ross' played my Matthau's son David.

Walter Matthau's Sense of Verbal Easiness and Physical Slouching is Showcased in this Breezy, Easy Going Spy Comedy. The Laughs are Subtle most of the Time Lending itself to Situations and Dry Displays of Visual and Verbal Offhandedness.

It's a Fun Film, especially if You Like Mattheau. The Supporting Cast all do Good work. Ned Beatty, Sam Waterston, Herbert Lom, and Glenda Jackson all Play Off of the Mattheau Schickt.

It Moves at a Fast Pace where there is No Time for Fancy Frills and Thrills, it gets its Energy from anything but the Spy Movies it is Satirizing. There is Virtually No Resemblance to a "Bond" Movie or even a "Flint". It's Style is more like a TV Show where Everything is Bright, Colorful, Staged, Minimal, and Unpretentious.

Overall, it is Witty Enough and Engaging Enough to be Entertaining for the Majority of Moviegoers. Although, it got Mediocre Reviews Initially, the Movie has Gained more Acceptance Over the Years.

The Globe Hopping Helps the Postcard Look and is Definitely Worth a Watch for Undiscriminating Fans of the Spy Genre, Fluffy Take-Offs, and those who just want to Fly through a Couple of Hours with very little to Tax the Viewer. It's almost Therapeutic in its Zen Like Naturalness.

A rare movie jewel, quirky, funny, intelligent, interesting, with a well paced, and well-developed in-depth story line. Realistic characters believably conveyed by the actors and full of great dialogue. There is no excess un-necessary fluff or overkill in this movie! All players carry their weight and are completely believable in their characterizations, operating, as one would expect normal people to communicate with each other, with intelligence and humor. All of this serves to amplify (Ned Beatty's) Myerson character making him look all the more obnoxious – a lifelike caricature when compared to the other key players. This film is a creative alternative to the stale ridiculous explosions, un-necessary violence and 'shoot em ups' seen in many movies. Every aspect of the movie compliments the story line; it is shot on location in the natural settings of Europe and the U.S., which makes it visually attractive. There are no studio backdrops, with dark unrealistic settings. It is unendingly interesting and can be seen many times a year, without becoming old and tired. The only problem it has is the poor picture quality as film sometimes appears out of focus.

Jackson and Matthau are brilliant foils for each other, because despite their obvious age difference they are well matched by intelligence and wit, therefore coming off as a believable pairing as players of equal stature, eclipsing the obvious age issue altogether. This is a delightful movie has an apparent absence of Hollywood movie politics. This is one of the very best films I have ever seen for the all of above reasons.

"Miles Kendig" (Walter Matthau) is a calm and experienced senior agent for the CIA in Europe who is liked and respected by everyone in the intelligence business. Everybody but his arrogant new boss in Washington D.C. named "G. P. Myerson" (Ned Beatty) that is. And because of this personal animosity Myerson has for him Miles is fired from his current position and reassigned to a menial desk job. Naturally, this doesn't sit well with Miles who quits his position and-to showcase the total incompetence of his boss-decides to write a tell-all book which discloses some of the failed and scandalous activities Myerson directed on his way up the ladder. Needless to say, this doesn't please Myerson at all who subsequently issues an order to kill Miles before he can do any further damage to his political career. The only problem is that Miles is much smarter that Myerson ever realized and knows how to game the system only too well. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that this was a pretty good spy film which not only had bits and pieces of comedy here and there but also managed to keep my attention from start-to-finish due to the multitude of twists and turns throughout. Likewise, Walther Matthau put in a very fine performance in the process as well. In any case, I enjoyed this film and have rated it accordingly. Above average.

Walter and Glenda together again after House Calls, what more could you ask for? Witty intelligent comedy, a romance between two not so beautiful people and despite the sweetness and the light touch you still worry about how its all going to turn out. Why don't they make movies like this any more?

For the record this is the story of a CIA man who quits when he's given a desk job and then gives everyone in the spy business kittens by writing is autobiography. Its wicked fun.

Perhaps the only flaw, and the reason the film is rated R is that Ned Beatty curses up a blue streak needlessly, the again since no one else does it simply shows how out of place he is.

See this movie. Do not pass go, do not collect two hundred dollars, just go get this movie and enjoy.

The plot for "Hopscotch" is very simple. One of the top CIA field agents is being sent to a desk job until retirement. Walter Matthau plays Miles Kendig. His boss is of the Ivy League set and doesn't like the way Miles works. Ned Beatty plays boss Myerson. We don't like him right away. He's a jerk, not as intelligent, and he swears and cusses a lot. Miles won't take it sitting down, and decides to go on the lamb. He destroys the CIA file on himself, and through work contacts arranges for a few new IDs – passports and all.

Miles contacts a former colleague and girlfriend to help him with parts of his plan. He wants to get back together with Isobel (played by Glenda Jackson), who is a well-to-do widow now living in Switzerland. A couple of other main characters are Cutter, a CIA agent who Miles trained, and who is now in charge of trying to find him. Cutter likes Miles, and tells the boss that he will be a step ahead of them all the way. The other character of substance is a Soviet counterpart to Miles, whom Miles like and respects. Miles know how he thinks.. Herbert Lom plays Yaskov, who also likes and respects Miles.

Most of the film is about Miles eluding the CIA who pursue him around the globe. He is writing his memoirs and sending them, a chapter at a time, to the CIA and its counterparts in Moscow, Peking, London and Rome. Myerson wants Miles "eliminated," and maybe the other intelligence groups do as well. But Miles finds a publisher in London, and his book becomes a best seller. As he sets in play each move, Miles stays a step ahead of his pursuers. Until the very end with its unusual but not very surprising ending.

The film is based on a book by Brian Garfield. In an interview that came with my DVD of the movie, Garfield said he wanted to write a CIA story as an adventure and a comedy without the gore and killing. His screenplay kept to the book in that regard. He and Ronald Neame, director, talked about how Ned Beatty had to practice using his profanity because he wasn't that way in real life. That's the one thing that keeps this from being a movie for all ages.

Another reviewer noted how the intrigue of the plot keeps one somewhat on edge for what comes next. We all pull for Miles and want him to succeed. The comedy isn't of the loud laughing type, but is dry and subtle at times with some humorous situations. It's an enjoyable film, but there's still something lacking about it. We don't see or know what Miles plans to do from one point to the next --- and there's a sense that he doesn't have a plan. He even says something to that effect at one point. Yet his every move seems so methodically planned out. He moves too smoothly and almost nonchalantly between stops. He visits a forger. He flies to Switzerland. He rents a car. He drives to see Isobel. He flies to London. He visits a man for a job there. He flies to Washington. He drives to South Carolina. He rents a house. He hires an oil truck. He hires a plane and pilot. He flies to Bermuda. He flies to London. He hires buys, rents and flies ad infinitum.

The movie was shot in several locations – London, Munich, Salzburg, Atlanta and other locales. In the interview that came with my DVD, we learn that Matthau was cool on doing the filming portion in Germany. He is Jewish and lost several relatives who were killed by Nazi Germany during World War II. Ronald Neame explains how he got Matthau to come around. It involved giving parts in the film to some relatives. Mathau's son, David Matthau, plays CIA agent Ross. Lucy Saroyan, daughter of Matthau's second wife, plays the airline pilot, Carla. Both tested well for their parts, according to Neame, and he said he made their roles conditional on Matthau's agreeing to the filming in Munich during the annual Oktoberfest there.

This movie was made at a time when Cold War spy and espionage films were highly popular. It broke away from the usual suspense and mayhem with killing and gruesome scenes. It offers a light comedic touch to the otherwise dark and often seedy world of espionage. It's not a great or complex film, but a light comedy that most adults should enjoy.

The '70s had seen a number of movies dealing with suspicion of the government ("The Parallax View", "Three Days of the Condor", etc), and so "Hopscotch" plays it for laughs. Walter Matthau plays a CIA agent who decides to rat on the CIA, KGB, etc. Much of the movie has the CIA chasing him all over the place, while he outwits them at every turn. And there's a lot of great classical music every step of the way, as well as some great scenery. I wouldn't say that I had a specific favorite scene, but I did like Matthau's escape in Georgia.

It's just a funny movie, and I really liked it. Also starring are Glenda Jackson, Ned Beatty, Sam Waterston and Herbert Lom (the police chief in the Pink Panther movies). Director Ronald Neame also directed "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie" and "The Poseidon Adventure".

Hopscotch: Hopscotch is a pleasant adult comedy about a CIA field agent (Walter Matthew) forced behind a desk by new boss (Ned Beatty) and having his young protege (Sam Waterston) take his place. He leaves the CIA instead.

He hides out with an old flame (Glenda Jackson)recently widowed and rich while pursued to turn sides by his old adversary an amiable KGB officer (Herbert Lom)

The Good: Amiable is a good word for this entire film. Walter Matthew does nothing to surprise keeping in his pleasant but rascally grandpa mode he would use to such great effect a few years later in Grumpy Old Men. Despite the globe-trotting, the occasional gunfire and explosion there really is never a sense of threat to anyone. Atomic Blonde this is not.

As for the rest of the cast. Sam Waterston gives a surprisingly pleasant performance as the protege, Ned Beatty seems to channel Jackie Gleason in Smokey and the Bandit (with even less menace) and Herbert Lom is the kindest most relaxed KGB bureau chief you will ever see.

The Bad: Glenda Jackson (who is fine by the way) plays an ex-agent who got out when the CIA started getting too rough. It's that old it wasn't like this in the old days chestnut. The only problem with this theme is that anyone with a cursory knowledge of the CIA certainly would know it was much rougher and no holds barred in the sixties and early seventies than it was under Carter after the Church Committee hearings. To much paperwork or your not allowed to torture anymore would be a more accurate complaint but alas would not fit into the theme of the film.

In Conclusion: If you like Walter Matthew you will like this film. It really is grumpy old spies. It clearly dropped some "f" bombs in the script so it could get an "R" rating in the US and market itself to an older crowd. There is nothing here in reality that would offend grandma or the grandkids. One trivial aside, there is a scene in a Hilton in London where they use key cards to get into their hotel room. I had no idea hotels had that in the late seventies. A fun relaxing funny movie.

I think many of us were really surprised to see Criterion release Hopscotch, but glad, were all glad they did. Here Walter Matthau is reprimanded for allowing a wanted KGB agent to walk. Matthau's integrity is too precious to take guff from even the CIA. Subsequently, he does not take the news of being reassigned to the job of file clerk very well so he begins to write his memories, leaking secret information to the opposition. The ensuing chase is slapstick, a Spy vs. Spy comedy with great international locations. Frankly, using the cold war as a catalyst for comedy was long overdue by 1980. A great travel piece.

I doubt anyone will read this far into the reviews, but for the record I felt I had to contribute. We all of us watch many, many movies, and some of us feel motivated to review some or all of them no matter the quality. I HAD TO REVIEW THIS, despite the fact I seldom bother, for I genuinely feel it was a delight. Previous reviewers will provide the details, and for example, the first review by dbborroughs has it completely right: wholesome, intelligent fun that is so seldom achieved by more "modern" movies that seem compelled to add gratuitous violence, explosions, one-liners, etc. There are shortcomings that could be improved, of course, but in the end they don't matter. The viewer is left with a smile that didn't depend on potty jokes or shock tactics for stimulation. Brilliant. The overall work is a true gem. Enjoy!

I love films where a smart guy outwits a bunch of buffoons in authority. Walter Matthua plays the veteran CIA agent who decides to resign in a blaze of glory, by revealing all the secrets of his occupation via a book. He leads his former colleagues on a merry dance throughout Europe and America, one step ahead of his dim-witted pursuers all the way. He pauses only to flirt with a very sexy Glenda Jackson, before she turned into a shrieking harridan of an MP. Humiliate your stuff shirted bosses AND have a lot of fun doing it? Am I jealous or what...

The script crackles with funny dialogue and ludicrous situations, and as Matthua's plans become more convoluted, so the entertainment factor increases by a notch. He's like the funny uncle I never had (Sorry to my two present incumbents, but it's true) and his sheer presence in every scene is almost enough to make you grin. Give me this guy over 007 any day. 7/10

The awesome Walter Matthau teams up (again) with Glenda Jackson, when the CIA tries to put agent Kendig behind a desk; he's been a good agent for years, performing his duties, and when it's required, working with the enemy to get it done. But his loyalty has never been questioned. Until now. If this story sounds familiar, it's the same plot as Scorpio from 1973! Except that Hopscotch is funny. And has really clever wordplay. It almost goes like a Neil Simon. But it's credited to the novel by Brian Garfield. Sam Waterson is awesome as the younger agent they send out to bring in old, crusty Kendig, who out foxes the CIA gang at every turn. It's GREAT! Highly recommend this one! Shows now and then on Turner Classics. Funny as hell. There's a great magic between matthau and jackson. And also between matthau and Lom, the russian agent.

This is an amiable, sympathetic comedy well-suited for Walter Matthaw's rumpled talents. Grounded with a desk job by incompetent superiors, an intelligent CIA agent called Miles Kending (Walter Matthaw) retires and writes a tell all memoir that will embarrass his chief , Meyerson (Ned Beatty) , prompting him to go on the run and elude them . To make matters worse , Meyerson sends Kendig's protegee, Joe Cutter (Sam Waterson) , to go after him. Meantime, Kendig enlists the help of a former girlfriend named Isobel von Schönenberg (Glenda Jackson) . Together they're dynamite! Apart they're deadly...!. The most dangerous man in the world !. He's about to expose the CIA, the FBI, the KGB...and himself !. Miles Kendig knows too much !.

A thriller/adventure/comedy/suspense movie about an avenger agent who's about to expose the CIA, the FBI and the KGB . Along the way, the film develops a game of cat and mouse between a fumbling CIA with its botcher agents and an artful, resourceful Kendig . Matthaw is terrific in this fast-paced and fun movie as a spy who decides to extract a little vengeance on the pompous supervisor who demotes him and he becomes the most dangerous man in the world . While Glenda Jackson as Isabel von Schönenberg has a fine bit as Matthaw's romantic interest. Walter Matthew and Glenda Jackson forming a delightful duo , they're re-teaming after having played a couple of years prior in the romantic comedy House calls (1978) . They are stunning accompanied by a splendid support cast , such as : Sam Waterston, Ned Beatty, Herbert Lom, George Baker, Severn Darden, Jacquelyn Hyde and David Matthew, Walter's son, among others.

It contains agreeable soundtrack by Ian Fraser , adding classical music from Madama Butterfly by Giacomo Puccini, The Barber of Seville by Gioachino Rossini , Serenade No. 13 for strings in G major, K. 525: II. Romance: Andante composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , Piano Sonata No. 11 in A major, K. 331: Andante grazioso composed by Amadeus Mozart, Rondo for Piano and Orchestra in D major, K. 382 by Mozart and Le Nozze di Figaro, K 492: Overture composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The motion picture was competent and professionally directed by Ronal Neame. A British filmmaker who, over the years , worked as assistant director, cinematographer , producer , writer and ultimately director. During the 1920s , Neame started working at famous Elstree Studios. One of his first jobs was assistant cameraman for Alfred Hitchcock on Blackmail (1929), the first talking picture made in England . Ronald Neame became a cinematographer during the 1930s. In 1942, he and sound designer C. C. Stevens received a special effect Oscar nomination for One of Our Aircraft Is Missing (1942) by the Michael Powell/Emeric Pressburger team. In 1944, after working together on In Which We Serve (1942), Neame, David Lean and producer Anthony Havelock-Allan formed a production company, Cineguild. The screenplays for its films Brief Encounter (1945) and Great Expectations (1946) received best writing Oscar nominations. Neame was a craftsman with considerable success. He made the most successful disaster movie : The Poseidon Adventure . And directed all kinds of genres as Thillers , Drama , Suspense , including notorious titles , such as : Odessa File , Hopscotch , Horse's Mouth , Windom's way , Scrooge , Gambit , Chalk Garden , First Monday in October , being his best one : Tunes of Glory. Rating : 6,5/10 . Better than average .

A sleeper. I can watch it again and again. Well written, well crafted, fun performances. Shame it is not available commercially. Wonder why? Funny situations interspersed with witty dialogue-- as good as comedies from the thirties. The airplanes for me are a plus.

This movie is Walter Matthau at his best. The easy way he shoves it to his boss, Ned Beatty, at the CIA when he's put behind a desk is a joy. The twists and turns of just how he goes about this keep the movie moving and interesting. You want him to get away with it while humiliating the agency at every turn. He gets excellent from then wife Glenda Jackson and a young Sam Waterston. Too bad it's not available on DVD as the VHS tape isn't wide screen and isn't a great transfer.

Watch out - the streaming version I saw on Netflix had the dialog bowdlerized. E.g. when an actor said "son of a bitch" you hear "son of a gun," and so forth. I could tell this was coming because the quality of the sound changed.

Netflix says they distribute the movies as is, so this must have been done upstream.

I'd be interested to know how many of the revelations the Matthau character puts in his book are actually true: seems like I heard that the CIA did try to slip poison cigars to Castro.

Otherwise, an amusing (and unbelievable) film with exciting locations.

Lee De Cola.

CIA operative Miles Kendig (Walter Matthau) meets his opponent in the Soviet intelligence in Europe. Despite foiling a Soviet drop, his supervisor Myerson (Ned Beatty) is angry that he allowed the Soviet to escape. Myerson sidelines him and promotes his protégé Joe Cutter (Sam Waterston) in his place. He reconnects with old flame Isobel Von Schoenenberg (Glenda Jackson) and decides to write a tell-all memoir about his CIA activities. Myerson fears CIA secrets being exposed. Kendig plays a cat-and-mouse game to exact revenge.

I really like Myerson destroying his own house. I was hoping for more of that. I couldn't really follow what he's doing half the time. There is a light fun sensibility to the proceedings. Even if I don't love it, this has a good cast and it has its moments.

Earlier on, a sometimes bad guy, Walter Matthau eventually became the slickster, who always gets away with it. Recalling an earlier, much superior picture, "Charley Varrick" (1973), this gay, jaunty espionage comedy goes to outlandish extremes, literally. A fine director, Ronald Neame moves things along, but in the end, it feels like a souffle that has fallen flat. The supporting cast is very good too.