Scanialara
You won't be disappointed!
MamaGravity
good back-story, and good acting
filippaberry84
I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.
Frances Chung
Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable
Leofwine_draca
THE ODESSA FILE is a low-key spy thriller of the 1970s, going for gritty realism rather than Bond-style thrills and spills. It has a little in common with THE IPCRESS FILE and much in common with the Nazi-hunting movies of the later '70s such as THE BOYS FROM BRAZIL and MARATHON MAN. Jon Voight is an unusual choice for the German journalist protagonist but he makes a good fist of the job and is remarkably convincing.The story sees Voight's steely reporter hunting for members of the secret Odessa gang, populated by former Nazis evading justice. This tale was taken from the headlines, based on a novel by Frederick Forsyth, and it also happened to be true; Odessa really did exist. The story that follows is overlong at times but generally compelling, especially when Voight's cover is blown in the latter stages and the peril builds increasingly. There's some nicely-drawn character work and one protracted fight scene which director Ronald Neame handles very well.
taylorjan-63962
First saw this film some years ago and found it moving and interesting. I can still remember the feeling of the hairs standing up on the back of my neck at a revelation. Such a brilliant well told story.I did notice something odd while watching it for the upteenth time. The scene in the underground station. Before the train comes: Sigi and Peter pass through the passengers and we see a grey haired man wearing a camel coloured coat and light scarf, and a hat When the train halts and the doors open, the guard alights and I'm sure the same man is behind him on the train (minus the hat)! I only noticed him as he reminded me of my dad.Anyway, great film although some may find it dated - it's very '70s. You'd never know the actress playing Sigi is English. Jon Voight is great, with a brilliant German accent.
SnoopyStyle
It's 1963. Israel knows that the Egytians are trying to perfect their biochemical rockets with a guidance system being built in Germany. Peter Miller (Jon Voight) is a reporter who becomes interested in the suicide of a Jewish Holocaust survivor. He leaves behind a diary detailing the crimes of the camp SS commander Eduard Roschmann (Maximilian Schell). Peter discovers an underground network of sympathizers called Odessa hiding SS men. He is soon hunted by the organization while Israeli agents recruit him to infiltrate Odessa.Initially, this is a fascinating thriller. It has Nazis. It has international intrigue. It does drag a little in the middle since most of the information is already laid out. It makes the movie rather straight forward. There is a great reveal at the end. It may be worthwhile to add more along that line earlier in the movie. The movie needs something to spice up the middle.
phd_travel
This thriller should go down as a classic. It has a convincing story a rare thing in movies that try to blend historical fact and fiction. It's tense from beginning to end and doesn't have annoying red herrings or plot twists.The casting is perfect. Maximillian Schell is ideal as the Nazi war criminal. Jon Voight is surprisingly convincing as a German accent and all. Good use of European supporting cast to avoid a fake feel.Good on location feel to it. Liked the evocative score too.It's one of the best thrillers about WWII subject matter even though it is set after the war.
