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IMDbPro

L'arme à l'oeil

Original title: Eye of the Needle
  • 1981
  • Tous publics
  • 1h 52m
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
14K
YOUR RATING
Donald Sutherland and Kate Nelligan in L'arme à l'oeil (1981)
A ruthless German spy, trying to get out of Britain with vital information about D-Day, must spend time with a young woman and her crippled husband.
Play trailer1:50
1 Video
84 Photos
Period DramaSpyRomanceThrillerWar

A ruthless German spy, trying to get out of Britain with vital information about D-Day, must spend time with a young woman and her crippled husband.A ruthless German spy, trying to get out of Britain with vital information about D-Day, must spend time with a young woman and her crippled husband.A ruthless German spy, trying to get out of Britain with vital information about D-Day, must spend time with a young woman and her crippled husband.

  • Director
    • Richard Marquand
  • Writers
    • Ken Follett
    • Stanley Mann
  • Stars
    • Donald Sutherland
    • Kate Nelligan
    • Stephen MacKenna
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.1/10
    14K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Richard Marquand
    • Writers
      • Ken Follett
      • Stanley Mann
    • Stars
      • Donald Sutherland
      • Kate Nelligan
      • Stephen MacKenna
    • 109User reviews
    • 33Critic reviews
    • 61Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination total

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:50
    Official Trailer

    Photos84

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    Top cast49

    Edit
    Donald Sutherland
    Donald Sutherland
    • Faber
    Kate Nelligan
    Kate Nelligan
    • Lucy Rose
    Stephen MacKenna
    Stephen MacKenna
    • Lieutenant
    Philip Martin Brown
    Philip Martin Brown
    • Billy Parkin
    Christopher Cazenove
    Christopher Cazenove
    • David Rose
    George Belbin
    • Lucy's Father
    Faith Brook
    Faith Brook
    • Lucy's Mother
    Barbara Graley
    • David's Mother
    George Lee
    • Constable
    Arthur Lovegrove
    • Peterson
    Colin Rix
    • Oliphant
    Barbara Ewing
    Barbara Ewing
    • Mrs. Garden
    Chris Jenkinson
    • German SS Officer
    William Merrow
    • German Radio Operator
    Patrick Connor
    • Inspector Harris
    David Hayman
    David Hayman
    • Canter
    Ian Bannen
    Ian Bannen
    • Inspector Godliman
    Rupert Frazer
    Rupert Frazer
    • Muller
    • Director
      • Richard Marquand
    • Writers
      • Ken Follett
      • Stanley Mann
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews109

    7.113.5K
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    Featured reviews

    unclepete

    Gripping stuff

    This film really does deserve more merit than it seems to get.

    Sutherland is a bit odd, with most of all a bizarre accent that almost seems to change from scene to scene. Whilst this is perhaps expected from an international spy in deep cover, it doesn't seem to sit well.

    Nelligan steals the show with a wonderful performance, but the real surprise for me was Cazenove. It doesn't take a lot of imagination to see him as the newly qualified, sparkling eyed flyboy, but his portrayal of the embittered, loveless amputee was a joy to watch - clearly a talented man.

    The film wraps up a great story with wonderful acting, a great collection of WW2 military hardware and breathtaking scenery. Well worth a watch.
    8dakjets

    Forgotten classic thriller?

    This film is maybe a lost treasure, and it deserves to be more well known than it actually is. This is a fascinating and intense spy movie, and the plot takes place during the second world war. Donald Sutherland plays the part of the spy very convincing, ice cold and a character with a ruthless determination to get what he wants, really at all costs. The film is very well done, and eventually ends up as a story of lost love, and hard measures that needs to be taken. The casting is brilliant, and I think the films atmosphere really manages to take you back in a world in war, and different peoples way of life in these circumstances. This makes this film authentic and complete. (sorry about my English)
    7Luigi Di Pilla

    Pretty and romantic WWII spy thriller

    I am satisfied with EYE OF THE NEEDLE. There are many plots and twists without great special effects or action. Anyway, the film shows a spy story set in the second World War and that is well directed. The picture and camera work is not as perfect as in today's big blockbusters but it doesn't shock because it is well compensated with historical details and facts from that war time. It's interesting seeing Donald Sutherland in this role as a lover and villain. He is for me one of the great actors that made many enjoyable thrillers. All in all a watchable movie that has a better class than these disappointing thrillers of nowadays and once again a DVD from the house of MGM that works for an entertaining Saturday evening. My wife and me vote 7/10 that matches exactly the actual vote of 7/10.
    7Paul-250

    A Surprisingly Good Wartime Thriller

    This film about a German agent trying to escape from Britain might seem to offer limited scope for interest, but Sutherland's menacing performance and the events on the island turn it into something approaching a study in psychopathy, laden with uncertainty and fear. The vulnerability of Lucy (Kate Nelligan, a sensitive and intelligent but definitely pre-feminist woman helps to give the film an added poignancy. Sutherland's performance is such that we are always fascinated by the damaged and ruthless character he portrays. Those who dislike war films may find themselves surprised by this film.
    7lastliberal

    The war has come down to the two of us.

    I saw this film many years ago and have watched it more than once. The opportunity presented itself for me to see it again and it was just as good as I recalled it being.

    This is probably the best performance of Donald Sutherland's career. You can argue for Invasion of the Body Snatchers, or Human Trafficking, or MASH, or even Space Cowboys, or many other great performances, but this is the film I will always remember him for.

    As a German spy who has discovered the best kept secret regarding the Allied invasion on DDay, he had to be prevented from getting home to report to Hitlar. It was just an accident that he was discovered. The suspense of his job and discovery were heart-pounding. Oscar nominated Kate Nelligan (The Prince of Tides) gave an outstanding performance as a neglected wife who accidentally uncovered Sutherland's identity.

    Worth watch over and over.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      A cottage and lighthouse were constructed on the The Isle of Mull for the production of this movie. The set building utilized the skills of a seventy-two year old master thatcher, a local of the island.
    • Goofs
      Other then in Burma, and a bit of Coast Guard work, Helicopters were not around in Military use (or few others for that matter) in 1944. That model was not flown by the RAF until 1953.
    • Quotes

      Faber: [calling on radio to submarine] Singvogel. Hier ist die Nadel. Kommen.

      ["Songbird. This is the Needle. Come."]

    • Alternate versions
      NTSC DVD R1 and PAL DVD R2, have different endings. European PAL DVD version ending is approx. 1.5 minutes longer. In the last scene, the helicopter arrives and lands, there is a conversation with the commander about the radio transmission being interrupted and finally the child arrives and reunites with his mother. it's sort of a happy end. This ending was cut from NTSC DVD version.
    • Connections
      Featured in Vintage Video: Eye of the Needle (1981) (2022)
    • Soundtracks
      For He's a Jolly Good Fellow
      (uncredited)

      Traditional

      Sung by wedding guests with modified lyrics ("For They Are Jolly Good Fellows")

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 2, 1981 (France)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Official site
      • MGM
    • Languages
      • English
      • German
    • Also known as
      • En la mira del asesino
    • Filming locations
      • Mull, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, UK
    • Production company
      • Kings Road Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $17,583,634
    • Gross worldwide
      • $17,583,686
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 52m(112 min)
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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