The Sell Out

The Sell Out (1976)

Runtime: 101 minutes

Directed by: Peter Collinson

Starring: Richard Widmark, Oliver Reed, Gayle Hunnicutt, Sam Wanamaker, Vladek Sheybal

From: Several companies but it was released in the United States by Warner Brothers

As this is a little later than expected (among other things I had to update my iPod Touch) let me cut to the chase and copy & paste my Letterboxd review below, after explaining that I'll return tomorrow night.

If you're wondering how I came across such a random film likely no one has heard of before, it's on Warner Archive Instant and after looking at its plot I figured it'd be of interest to some people I know on a movie messageboard so for my interest and theirs I checked it out.

It is a standard spy movie filmed in a non-standard location (Israel) about a double agent (Oliver Reed) who defects from the KGB and ends up in the country. Various people want him silenced so he goes to his old mentor (Richard Widmark), who he has a contentious relationship with and oh yeah there's a young woman who has a history with both. A lot of it is what you'd expect: fears of double crossing, intrigue, random moments of violence, arguing, etc.

The movie is not a must-see, an undiscovered classic waiting for new appreciation. But, it's not terrible either. It's a fine and entertaining film and if you are a fan of either lead you'll likely want to see it as both of their performances are good. Fans of spy films will likely be interested in it even if not much new is brought to the table.

The director is Richard Collinson, best known for being at the helm of the original The Italian Job, so it's no surprise there's car chase action; it also shows that a reason why Checker cabs used to be the choice of taxi in New York City in that they are indestructible, or at least that's what the movie wants us to believe. Also, it should not be a surprise to hear that there's a scene where Reed's character gets drunk.

A nice asset is that the score (from two random dudes with few credits between them) is nicely done. When it is at its usual it is fine; when something big happens and it gets all funky, it's awesome.