THE MACKINTOSH MAN
UK, 1973, 99 minutes, Colour.
Paul Newman, Dominique Sanda, James Mason, Harry Andrews, Ian Bannen.
Directed by John Huston.
The Mackintosh Man: there is always a place for the continuing tradition of the spy-thriller. And, apart from a touch or two of brutality, John Huston's new film is as good an entertainment as most others. Paul Newman is himself; James Mason brings suave finesse to an ambiguous role. Many excellent British actors like Harry Andrews, Michael Hordern, Ian Bannen have cameos. Dominique Sanda is the glacial heroine. The plot concerns patriotism. spy rings, infiltrating agents; there are chases and shootouts and locations in London, Ireland and Malta. These are obviously the ingredients of popular movie-making. The film is above average in an ordinary kind of way and quite enjoyable.
1. How good a thriller was this? What special techniques of the thriller did it use and how did it use them? Conventions of the mystery? The atmosphere and styles of the spy film? How did these all add up to a successful film? The significance of the title and its implications of loyalty? As a tone for the whole film?
2. How important was the central character of Reardon? As played by Paul Newman, audience sympathy for him and interest in him? The reaction to his part in the robbery and the jail sentence? His behaviour in prison? The need for his escape and his suffering during the escape, especially the torture? The realization that he was an agent to infiltrate the gang? The significance of his relationship to Slade and his doing his job? His ingenuity in escaping? The risk of exposure? His relationship to Mrs. Smith? His ingenuity in Malta and exposing the villain? Why was he satisfied to let Wheeler go at the end? How typical an agent and spy character was he? How well was his character drawn?
3. Mackintosh as the official dedicated government man? How important to the film was he? The enigma of his daughter? His suspicions about Wheeler and the horror of his death? Mackintosh as important for motivation in the film?
4. The enigma of Mrs Smith - the personality of Dominique Sanda, her dedication to her work, Resistance background, loyalty to her father, appreciation of Reardon, supporting him in Ireland, helping him in Malta? His being drugged and taken? Her reaction to the final confrontation? How surprised were you when she shot Wheeler? Why? Why did she shoot? What choices did she have? The impact of the spy world on her character and actions?
5. The character of Wheeler? The stress on patriotism in his Parliamentary speeches, his seeming nobility, appearances and reality, his slipperiness? His luxury on the yacht contrasting with his speeches about morals? His brutality and organization, his sureness at the end? The surprise of his death, the comment on politics and the use of power?
6. Slade as a character, communist, his values, contrasting with Reardon? was he worth the risks taken?
7. The moral judgement on Brown and his sadism and torture?
8. The suave Soames-Trevelyan? and his organization? The skill of the organized escape in the prison?
9. The use of location photography and atmosphere, London offices, prison, Ireland and its barrenness for chases, Malta, the sun and sophistication, the church and the killing?
10. What did the film have to say about the ethics of spying and the use of people for spying? Political statement and private behaviour?
11. How much value did this film have in itself as a commentary on contemporary behaviour and questions? How valuable a thriller was it?
