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Based on the 1967 novel of the same title by Leon Uris, the film is about a French intelligence agent (Stafford) who becomes entangled in Cold War politics before the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis and then the breakup of an international Soviet spy ring.
Alfred Hitchcock was so impressed by the fictional novel about the events (Topaz by Leon Uris) that he decided to adapt it into a movie. But fiction, as is often the case, only got half of the story. This book tells the remarkable true account of one of the greatest espionage scandals to rock the Cold War.
No longer able to pay for in demand talent the likes of Paul Newman and Julie Andrews, “Topaz” is a variation on the true life-based spy plot of their “Torn Curtain,” but devoid of the duo’s star power and charm.
- (11.4K)
- Alfred Hitchcock
Topaz: Directed by Alfred Hitchcock. With Frederick Stafford, Dany Robin, John Vernon, Karin Dor. French Intelligence Agent Andre Devereaux becomes embroiled in Cold War politics, first by uncovering the events leading up to the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, and then breaking up an international Russian spy ring.
- (20K)
- Drama, Thriller
- Alfred Hitchcock
- 1969-12-19
- Synopsis
- Production
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- Cast and Crew
- Notes & References
A high ranking Russian official defects to the United States, where he is interviewed by US agent Michael Nordstrom. The defector reveals that a French spy ring codenamed "Topaz" has been passing NATO secrets to the Russians. Michael calls in his French friend and counterpart Andre Devereaux to expose the spies.
Following the critical and commercial failure of Torn Curtain, Hitchcock initially spent over a year developing ideas for what was titled variously as Kaleidoscope or Frenzy. Several writers worked on the project, including Benn Levy, Howard Fast and novelist Hugh Wheeler before Universal's Lew Wassermanpersuaded Hitchcock to put it to one side in ...
For further relevant information about this film, see also... 1. 1000 Frames of Topaz (1969) 2. articles about Topaz (1969) 3. awards and nominations 4. cameo appearance 5. complete cast and drew 6. documentaries about Topaz (1969) 7. filming locations 8. soundtrack albums 9. trailers 10. trivia 11. web links to articles, information, reviews, etc
Images from the Hitchcock Gallery (click to view larger versions or search for all relevant images)...
the cultured baddie - Jacques Granville (Michel Piccoli)Directed by: 1. Alfred Hitchcock Starring: 1. Frederick Stafford - André Devereaux 2. Dany Robin - Nicole Devereaux 3. Claude Jade - Michèle Picard 4. Michel Subor - François Picard 5. Karin Dor - Juanita de Cordoba 6. John Vernon - Rico Parra 7. Michel Piccoli - Jacques Granville 8. Philippe Noiret - Henri Jarre 9. Per-Axel Arosenius - Boris Kusen...
Not to be confused with the 1972 filmof the same name.Alfred Hitchcock: A Life in Darkness and Light(2003) by Patrick McGilliganAlfred Hitchcock: A Life in Darkness and Light(2003) by Patrick McGilligan, pages 684-86Alfred Hitchcock: A Life in Darkness and Light(2003) by Patrick McGilligan, page 688The story is based on fact. In 1962, a Russian top-level KGB defector informed the U.S. that some very high-level French diplomats, in a group called "Sapphire", were selling secrets to the Soviet Union.
One of Hitchcock’s only overtly political films, Topaz is a densely-layered spy story set during the Cuban Missile Crisis, inspired in part by the director’s admiration for John F. Kennedy. Taken from the best-selling novel by Leon Uris and based on an allegedly true account of a communist spy being discovered within General Charles de ...
