| | | An Alfred Hitchcock Masterpiece.
Features: DVD, Dolby, Digital Audio, English, Spanish, French, Widescreen, Aspect Ratio 1.85:1
The best-selling spy novel bursts onto the screen in this riveting story of adventure and international intrigue. John Forsythe stars as an American CIA agent who hires a French operative (Frederick Stafford) to travel to Cuba and investigate rumors of Russian missiles and Topaz, a NATO spy. The inquiry soon spins into a life-threatening escapade of espionage, betrayal and murder.
"...heads above most suspensers." Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan
Editor's Note
Alfred Hitchcock adapted this political thriller from Leon Uris's dense, complex spy novel, loosely based on actual events in the life of French spy Philippe de Vosjoli. The title, TOPAZ, refers not to the stone but to the Topaz Group, a nefarious band of French spies. Traveling through Cuba, Denmark, New York, and Virginia, among other locations, Hitchcock's tale tells of a Soviet scientist's defection that sparks an international furor extending way beyond the act itself. The story begins with American CIA agent Michael Nordstrom (John Forsythe), who is instrumental in uncovering Russian plans to place missiles in Cuba. For confirmation he turns to French agent Andre Devereaux (Frederick Stafford), who travels to Cuba to gather information. In the process, he discovers evidence of a shocking betrayal. The conclusion of the film is one of four endings Hitchcock filmed. This was one of two cold war-themed films directed by Hitchcock at the urging of his studio, the other being TORN CURTAIN.
Plot Summary
Alfred Hitchcock directs John Forsythe as an American CIA agent who learns of Cuban missiles through a French operative he hires to follow up on some rumors, and a NATO spy named Topaz who leaks secrets to the Soviet Union. It seems there's a traitor in the entourage of French president De Gaulle, strange doings taking place in Cuba, and a mysterious, nefarious band of spies known as the Topaz Group readying itself for a big event. The film is based on Leon Uris's same-titled spy novel, which was on national best-seller lists for 50 consecutive weeks.
| Features | "Topaz: An Appreciation" By Film Historian & Critic Leonard Maltin | | Alternate Endings: "The Duel", "The Airport" & "The Suicide" | | Audio: English Dolby Digital Mono | | Featurette | | Interactive Menus | | Original Theatrical Trailer | | Photo Gallery | | Production Notes | | Scene Selection | | Storyboards: "The Mendozas" | | Subtitles: English, French, Spanish |
| Technical Info
|
Release Information
| | Studio: Universal |
| Release Date: 6/20/2006 |
| Running Time: 143 minutes |
| Original Release Date: 1969 | | Catalog ID: 28314 | | UPC: 00025192831423 | | Number of Discs: 1 |
Audio & Video
| | Original Language: English | | Available Audio Tracks: English | | Available Subtitles: English, French, Spanish | | Video: Color |
Aspect Ratio | | Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1 |
| Cast & Crew
|
| | Professional Reviews | Nitrate Online 7 of 10
All that is known at this point is that Hitchcock made a presentation, with slide work, to Universal executives sometimes in 1967-68. And was rejected. "They had belittled Hitchcock's attempt to do precisely what they had urged him to do -- to attempt something different, to catch up with the swiftly moving times," said Howard Fast.
DVD Verdict 8 of 10
Judged by the lofty standards as the Master of Suspense, Topaz does not hold up as one of his best efforts, yet there are enough instances of his masterly way with the camera to make viewing this movie required to anyone serious about film and the medium. While this may not be the best known of Hitchcock's movies, Universal puts together a nice package, including a pretty good documentary. Add on top of that video and sound that is as good as can be expected and you have a worthy addition to your Hitchcock library. - Harold Gervais
Nitrate Online 7 of 10
All that is known at this point is that Hitchcock made a presentation, with slide work, to Universal executives sometimes in 1967-68. And was rejected. "They had belittled Hitchcock's attempt to do precisely what they had urged him to do -- to attempt something different, to catch up with the swiftly moving times," said Howard Fast. -
|
| |
|
|
|
