JUST ANOTHER SECRET
UK, 1989, 100 minutes, Colour
Beau Bridges, Kenneth Cranham, James Faulkner, Alan Howard.
Directed by Lawrence Gordon Clark.
Just Another Secret is an entertaining espionage story, set in Europe of the 80s in the Gorbachev era - but very soon outdated with the extraordinary events of the late 80s. The film echoes audience interest around the world in the clash between the U.S. and Soviet Union, especially in espionage. The author of the film is Frederick Forsyth, best known for such books as The Day of Jackal, The Odessa File. It is part of a series based on stories by Forsyth. The film uses European settings well, it has Beau Bridges as an enterprising American hero. However, the rest of the cast is European.
1. The popularity of Frederick Forsyth's work, background of espionage and adventure? Novels translated to the screen? The background of Soviet/American relationships and antagonisms? The Gorbachev era and the opening up? The change of the face of Eastern Europe at the end of the 80s?
2. The impact of the telemovie? Espionage and adventure for the wide television audience? For American audiences, European audiences? American locations, European locations, Germany? Authentic atmosphere and credibility? The musical score?
3. The title, the focus, the hypothesis, plausibility?
4. Beau Bridges as Jack, the American background? American style? Charlie and the job, the introduction, decisions? His going to Europe? The CIA? Morality and shrewdness? The range of contacts, methods, disguise, cover? The killing of the policeman? The encounter with Annalisa? The past? His stay, contacts? The homosexual background? The police, the plot, the discovery? His becoming more involved, the contacts, Annalisa, his superior? Arrest and torture? Being allowed to escape? The British contacts? The plan and its achievement?
5. The situation with the murders, the conspiracy, the KGB, the Germans? Gorbachev -and his presence in Russia, change of policy, antagonisms, the plots to kill him? The groupings, their plans, betrayal, execution? The fight?
6. The portrait of the Germans, their cover, the contacts, inter-actions amongst themselves, with Jack?
7. The character of Annalisa, the past, her relationship with Jack, sexual relationship, espionage?
8. The authorities, plans, behaviour? Using people, relationships? Homosexuality?
9. The film reflecting the early part of the 80s, the transitions in Europe in the 80s, the CIA, the KGB, change of political attitudes? The transforming of Europe?
