Three Days Of The Condor

UK Release Date. 25 September 1975
Certification. AA
Running Time. 1 hour 57 mins
Director. Sydney Pollack
Cast. Faye Dunaway, Robert Redford, Cliff Robertson, Max Von Sydow.
Rating. 67%

Review.

The 1970s saw the inglorious end to the Vietnam War and an escalation of the Cold War with the Soviet Union. Amidst the heightened tension, distrust and disillusionment with the United States government and amorphous, faceless corporations was commonplace; and this feeling of paranoia only increased following the Watergate scandal. This mood was reflected in the films of the decade - films like Executive Action, The Parallax View, The Odessa File, The Conversation, All The President's Men, Marathon Man and Sydney Pollack's Three Days Of The Condor. 

Based on the novel, Six Days of the Condor by James Grady, the film features Robert Redford as CIA analyst, Joe Turner (codename Condor). Following the execution of his entire section, the race is on for Turner to gather enough evidence to expose the truth before he ends up dead himself.

The major issue I have with Three Days Of The Condor is the far from convincing character arc of Kathy Hale (Faye Dunaway). Initially abducted and kidnapped by Turner, once the initial wave of terror passes, she more than accommodates Turner ("Have I ever denied you anything?") and ultimately aids him in his endeavours.

Nonetheless, Three Days Of The Condor deftly reflects the prevailing feelings of distrust and betrayal in US society and captures the zeitgeist of a population sceptical of authority.