Le Quatrième Protocole

Where Bodie and Doyle can’t go, they send Preston, or the stubborn jackals howl Forsyth-style at the British moon. The theme of violating the Fourth Protocol (prohibiting unconventional delivery of nuclear weapons to a target) and espionage intrigues provides an interesting plot. The pacing is solid despite the conventional shot lengths, and the action, though slightly aged, doesn’t hinder the film. It’s worth watching—no laughing at Pierce Brosnan and Michael Caine, who has issues with authority, politics, and racists in the subway. This holds up to the finale, where it becomes clear if the Cold War will get hot and who still has a chance to die in their own bed. (27/03/2024)

This is a decent atmospheric suspense film, whose plot structure does not deny its source from the book's and its author (Forsyth was always good), who also wrote the screenplay for The Fourth Protocol. Caine is good as always, Brosnan uniquely negative and slimy, and the final idea is good. I wasn't actually bored during the film and I praise Schifrin's music and MacKenzie's direction. I just didn't understand why Russian spy-terrorists pass on ciphers written in English. (14/01/2011)