IslandGuru Who payed the critics

StunnaKrypto Self-important, over-dramatic, uninspired.

Afouotos Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

Roy Hart If you're interested in the topic at hand, you should just watch it and judge yourself because the reviews have gone very biased by people that didn't even watch it and just hate (or love) the creator. I liked it, it was well written, narrated, and directed and it was about a topic that interests me.

Leofwine_draca Although I see that other reviewers have praised THE TRAITORS as one of the finer examples of the British B-movie spy genre, I thought it was quite hard work if I'm honest. The film sees the typically tough Patrick Allen on the track of some Cold War spies and aided by various parties including an American import and Reed De Rouen. This low budget movie has an occasional on the street piece of grit to it but more often than not the lack of money means that it's a talky affair lacking in suspense and excitement.The film only really gets going with a couple of scenes set in a swimming pool towards the end which make good use of the authentic surroundings. Up until that point it's just guys sitting around in rooms and occasionally bugging other people and listening to their conversations. I'm well aware that this is what spying is really like so THE TRAITORS does have the ring of authenticity to it, it's just a pity it's so dull as a result.

ianlouisiana ...screams the spy arrested at the Harrow Road Baths as he struggles with his M.I.5 captors,and at the time - the height of the CND movement,the strange fascination Kruschev inspired in the British Left Wing press, this country,dull,dreary and lifeless,seemed almost like an East European Soviet satellite - he clearly felt he had a point as his Masters promised the Working Classes a better deal than he felt they were getting in Britain. As he was led away cursing,even the spycatchers seemed discomfited by his words. "The Traitors" can be seen to have hugely influenced espionage films from "The Ipcress File" onwards with its semi verite style and extensive use of real London exteriors.There are still boarded - off bombsites 17 years after the war ended,the clothes are drab and entirely suited to the black and white photography and what traffic there is appears to be travelling suicidally fast through an unrecognisable Notting Hill. See "Ring of spies" for a similar example of the superior small English picture that has a lot to say about the state of the country at about the same time. There is not a wasted shot in the whole film,not a line of dialogue that needed to be excised. It is a brilliant example of what good film makers can do with a big imagination and a small budget. Currently showing on the excellent "Talking Pictures" Freeview channel.

malcolmgsw Clearly this film was inspired by the revelations of various communist spies in the establishment and actual spy rings.This is a very neat and fast paced thriller with an exciting climax.It is also interesting for those of us living in London at the time what it was like.I have to say it looks rather down at heels with the grime of years of coal staining the buildings.No supermarkets yet,so a United Daries grocers shop next to the surgery with its windows full of tins.The cinema used is the Coronet Notting Hill.I am pleased to say that it is still operating and still looks pretty much the same inside.Anyway a thoroughly entertaining film.

GUENOT PHILIPPE Well, I was amazed and surprised by this little UK film. i did not expect so much. A fast paced movie telling the cat and mouse game between government agents vs a spy ring who has taken secret documents from a plane crash in Germany, not far from an US military research center. All set in London area. The actors are known for this kind of features, but I never remember their names. Anyway, I recommend it. The climax in the swimming pool reminds me Howard Koch's SHIELD FOR MURDER. Jim O' Connoly is here only the producer and writer, not the director.UK espionage movies are not always so good, so powerful. Such a shame.