Rating: 
Summary: So near, yet so far ...
Review: ACTUAL RATING: 2-1/2 Stars
Torn Curtain has three scenes that make it memorable: the murder of the East German agent Gromek, the bus chase and Lila Kedrova's short, but memorable, part as the woman who attempts to help Paul Newman and Julie Andrews in exchange for sponsorship to the United States. However, in between those scenes is a ho-hum Cold War story, Snidely Whiplash villans and, most unusual for Hitchcock, technical sloppiness (the scene where Newman tells Andrews he's not really a defector was obviously filmed on a soundstage despite the outdoor location). In addition, Newman and Andrews have very little chemistry onscreen -- it's easy to see why they never worked together again. In addition, Hitchcock made the huge mistake of casting off Bernard Herrmann and his musical score in favor of a more commerical score. Vertigo, North By Northwest and Psycho were immeasurably enhanced by Herrmann's scores. Torn Curtain, along with other substandard films like I Confess, The Wrong Man and Marnie show that even the greatest director of all time had misfires from time to time.
Rating: 
Summary: Overlooked Hitchcock a gem in the rough
Review: Alfred Hitchcock was fascinated with alientation...emotional, psychological, and physical...and "Torn Curtain" is one of his best studies of this condition. Unfortunately, it is often overlooked, or worse, misconstued by viewers and goes generally unnoticed in the Hitcock works. Hitchcock at his best is attempting to carry the viewer into the heart of alienation in all of his films through the tribulations of the films central hero/heroine. Like "Vertigo", we spiral into the center of a dark place, and are left to try and emerge at the film's end. Sometimes, Hitchcock used this method very effectively ("Rebecca", "Notorious", "Suspicion", "Rear Window", and the forementioned "Vertigo"). At other times, the alienation of the central character occurred within an already stilted and isolated circumstance, and the ensuing coldness ruined the viewer's ability to form a deep affinity for the hero/heroine ("Marnie", "Torn Curtain"), but that does not mean that the film is a failure. It simply means the viewer does not personally identify with the portrayed circumstances. "Torn Curtain" has several crucial and effective scenes for any admirer or student of Hitchcock: 1) Newman's announcement of his "defection" is a complex scene. He does a great job of showing a man who is rejecting his own country, while trying to forget that he is unexpectedly having to do so in front of his horrified fiance. Hitchcock shows the conflict by cutting between Newman and Andrews faces, and the emotions both are feeling from desperation, to reluctance, bravado and finality to devestation. It is a powerful piece of acting and directing. Hitchcock wants you to understand where Andrews is in this moment, having followed the man that she loves into an unexpected treason, and suddenly understanding that she doesn't know him at all. What did she know? What is real, what is false? 2) The "chase" scene through the deserted museum, with its long shots and silences, generates a chilling suspense. 3) The gruesome, desperate death struggle of the three farm house occupants, uncut and excruciating, remains one of the most effective death scenes on film. And possibly, one of Hitchcock's "truest" moments. A master of twisting circumstance to create heightened unease, Hitchcock lets the natural length of the struggle create the unease...and it does so beautifully. 4) The bus ride escape, and the relationships and tensions of the occupants, who are volunteers in the East German underground, is an interesting and understated study of human nature. Those who volunteer for such work without thinking of the possible consequences, and those who remain dedicated no matter what the cost. 5) The older woman who begs for their help if Newman and Andrews manage to make it back to freedom. Her humiliation, her fear, and her desperation are meant to represent a once proud East German people, driven to the ground in captivity. For those who enjoy a romantic film, that element is served effectively here as well. The two main characters are engaged, but when one seems to defect, carrying the other partner into the masquerade unintentionally, Andrews is left struggling to understand the complete transformation of the man she loves. Hitchcock used immense rooms, with sparse furniture, to accentuate the lack of warmth, the despair that Andrews is feeling. Newman's character is wooden and cold, because of the plot effect, not because of bad acting. Hitchcock is trying to heighten our isolation, along with Andrews. As the characters are reunited emotionally, study the film to see how he now physically unites them in almost every shot. The immense, dark, cold shots are replaced with a physical closeness that cannot bear any seperation. The film is intense, and if you are looking for Hitchcock's best, I suppose this film would have to elimiated from a final list, but it would make runnerup. And for those women who are looking for a romantic Hitchcock adventure in the line of "Lady Vanishes", "Tommy & Tuppence", and "To Catch a Thief", I don't feel you will be disappointed in "Torn Curtain". If you haven't seen the film in a long time, watch it again...and watch for the Master's handstrokes, because "Torn Curtain" certainly contains some beauties!
Rating: 
Summary: Delayed Action
Review: Alfred Hitchcock's Torn Curtain is one of those pictures that you dont have to pause if you need to get up and get popcorn. In other words, if you can wait for real action and still pay attention to the so called "boring stuff", then this is the film for you. Then again, if you are like me,and just can't wait ten minutes to see an action-filled scene packed with drama, gore, suspense, ect... then I would not recommend this film to you. Bottom Line: Fast Forward and cut to the chase, but don't miss TOO much.
Rating:
Summary: Wrinkled Curtain
Review: Alfred Hitchcock's TORN CURTAIN, is unfortunately, one of the director's rare misteps. World-famous scientist, Michael Armstrong (Paul Newman) is attending a world conference on Physics, in Copenhagen. Along on the trip is Armstrong's assistant/fiancee, Sarah Sherman (Julie Andrews). When she mistakenly picks up a communication, that was meant for him, she discovers that the man she loves, plans on defecting to East Germany. In reality, Armstrong is working undercover for the U.S., to get top secret information. Sadly, the film's two leads have little spark, and Newman comes off rather bored in his performance. The film has a few tension filled moments but that's it. The DVD also has a 30 minute making of documentary that spells out the film's problems. CURTAIN marked the start of problems between Hitchcock and frequent composer Bernard Herrmann, so he was replaced by John Addison. The best extra on the disc has to be the scenes that were actually scored by Herrmann, before he and Hitchcock, went their separate ways. The theatrical trailer, cast and filmmaker biographies, and a photo gallery top off the extras on the disc. Not great, not a total wash either, the film falls somewhere in the middle
Rating: 
Summary: An Exciting Cold War Drama!
Review: Amazon's own reviewer says this is one of Hitchcock's "lesser efforts"... I disagree. There are some amazing scenes in this film, gorgeous cinematography, stunning action scenes, a great chase and tension everywhere. This is not "North by Northwest" or "Vertigo".... but it is just as exciting, if not more so than "The Man Who Knew Too Much", "39 Steps" and "Rear Window". Julie Andrews is stunning and superb as the wife who does not know who her husband seems to be working for. Paul Newman is perfectly cast as the mysterious and secretive husband... and the supporting cast is incredible.... especially Wolfgang Kieling was "Gromek", the relentless and sadistic kidnapper. Real life ballerina Tamara Toumanova who dances beautifully, but who comes complete with an "evil eye" on things. Lila Kedrova whos words "Will you be my sponsor?" will haunt you long after the movie ends.... and Carolyn Conwell, who is amazing along with Paul Newman's character in the farm scene! Wow!! The DVD transfer is superb and this film is a sure winner all the way.
Rating:
Summary: An Exciting Cold War Drama!
Review: Amazon's own reviewer says this is one of Hitchcock's "lesser efforts"... I disagree. There are some amazing scenes in this film, gorgeous cinematography, stunning action scenes, a great chase and tension everywhere. This is not "North by Northwest" or "Vertigo".... but it is just as exciting, if not more so than "The Man Who Knew Too Much", "39 Steps" and "Rear Window". Julie Andrews is stunning and superb as the wife who does not know who her husband seems to be working for. Paul Newman is perfectly cast as the mysterious and secretive husband... and the supporting cast is incredible.... especially Wolfgang Kieling was "Gromek", the relentless and sadistic kidnapper. Real life ballerina Tamara Toumanova who dances beautifully, but who comes complete with an "evil eye" on things. Lila Kedrova whos words "Will you be my sponsor?" will haunt you long after the movie ends.... and Carolyn Conwell, who is amazing along with Paul Newman's character in the farm scene! Wow!! The DVD transfer is superb and this film is a sure winner all the way.
Rating:
Summary: Like any good train wreck, it's worth watching
Review: Even A.H. at his worst is still better than most, but oh my goodness is this film awful. I watched it just last night on cable. It's so bad it's hilarious: the "Germans" are all American actors who speak hopelessly accented German. I lived in Germany for 3 years, including 1 in Berlin, so I'm qualified to say so -- the Berliners definitely have their own dialect, but it never sounded like this. The situation of an American scientist pretending to defect to the Eastern Bloc for the purpose of stealing technology is an interesting premise, and Paul Newman is believable enough as the fake defector, but poor Julie Andrews! As the fiancé who got left behind, she was given nothing to do but chew her lip and wonder what she did wrong. Once in East Berlin, however (and it all looks remarkably like West Berlin), the story gets bogged down in phony-baloney chase scenes where Paul has to ride busses and duck through museum hallways for half an hour to get away from the guy tailing him on a scooter. And the guy still catches him. Don't get me wrong. Like a good train wreck this movie is worth watching, but PLEASE, if you do, be sure to see "The Man Who Knew Too Much" or (better still) "Rear Window" immediately afterward, just to remind yourself what Hitchcock was really capable of.
Rating: 
Summary: The Master's Worst
Review: Every genius is entitled to one fall from grace...& this is definitely Hitchcock's. Paul Newman(looking absolutely beautiful here)& Julie Andrews are shockingly miscast, the suspense is minimal & Hitch himself was obviously bored. For true auteurs, you all know what that means. We'll be bored too...
Rating:
Summary: The Master's Worst
Review: Every genius is entitled to one fall from grace...& this is definitely Hitchcock's. Paul Newman(looking absolutely beautiful here)& Julie Andrews are shockingly miscast, the suspense is minimal & Hitch himself was obviously bored. For true auteurs, you all know what that means. We'll be bored too...
Rating:
Summary: dull, dull dull
Review: Hitchcock made some brilliant films in his later years (The Birds, Vertigo, and Pyscho) this certainly not being one of them. Its about 30 minutes too long and Paul Newman and Julie Andrews had no chemistry whatsoever. I really can't tell you one good thing about this film. So everyone stay away!!!!
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