Three Days Of The Condor (1975)

An analyst (Robert Redford) for a clandestine CIA agency returns from lunch to find his entire office assassinated. He contacts his superior (Cliff Robertson) about being brought in but something doesn't feel right about the situation and he goes on the run instead. Based on the novel SIX DAYS OF THE CONDOR by James Grady and directed by Sydney Pollack. The 1970s were the decade of the paranoid thrillers, conspiracies and distrust of the government. Films like WINTER KILLS, PARALLAX VIEW, ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN and this tight little thriller which is my own personal favorite. Even though the film pushes the two hour mark, Pollack keeps the tension taut and lean. The script by Lorenzo Semple Jr. and David Rayfiel is intelligent and the dialog pungent and most importantly, believable rather than far fetched. The quality of the screenplay allows Faye Dunaway to invest her character with complexity and detail while in the hands of a lesser script, she would just be "the girl". Redford is excellent, never overplaying his hand at conveying his terror and confusion. The neat underscore is by Dave Grusin. With Max Von Sydow, quite chilly as a hit man, John Houseman, Tina Chen and Carlin Glynn.