Yep, that's actually one of the reasons I subscribed to this channel. The way they deliver a top ten list by categorizing 10 subgenres, then naming 3, 4, 8 or 12 great films that could've won, but didn't. Then giving me a title that I've never heard of to be #1(and when I view it, I usually agree with him) Yeah, great content all around.
only the main listed ones or all the referenced movied?? a few years back when I ahd more time I tried to watch al referenced movies..... I dont think I need to say I failed miserably..
I went bonkers when I so it. It's so good. Probably the most worth my film major degree over was because I had no idea what to expect when I watched it. I left with a film I generally consider one of the best of all time.
Someone hyped me about this movie saying it literally changed his life, and I went and bought it. Didn't think anything of it, and frankly I can't even remember what it was about. Heck, I didn't even remember it was a spy film.
When Pierce Brosnan was asked, in an interview, how he felt about being chosen to be the new Bond, naturally he responded very positively. And then he said, "But you know, Sean Connery is The Man".
May be... but Connery wasn't "swarve" He was rough, ready and full of charisma... The dictionary word for "swarve" is 110% Moore... That was the main change between the 2.. Rough and ready v's Swarve and sophisticated.
I was hoping the original Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy or Smiley's People for the BBC would be number 1 as its more a long movie in a few parts than true TV, and it truly is the greatest spy movie(ish) ever made with a truly transcendant Alec Guinness. So close. So, so close. Great list as always.
Was never gonna happen in a movie list, but damn, if the BBC’s Tinker Tailor wasn’t one of the best TV adaptations of anything anywhere at any time. A simply stellar cast too
The Tinker Tailor series is still, to this day, one of the most delicate works of drama I've ever had the pleasure to watch. And, on some fronts, with the credit music they elected in particular, among the most emotionally harrowing.
Even though I'm an old-school cinephile, who grew up on New Wave and arthouses in the 60s, and always thought TV to be an enemy, the line between "film" and "TV series" is becoming less and less relevant. Even before Covid closed movie theaters, I've been more often excited the past decade or so by TV stuff than actual film. The freedom of a mini-series, or what's now called "limited series", is a much better format for adapting a LeCarre work, where so much is atmosphere.
The best things the BBC have ever done (Attenborough’s Life series’ the possible exception), and maybe the best drama TV will ever get. They had to get a mention, even though not cinema.
Can I just say that these Cinefix lists are some of my favourite content on UA-cam. You guys do an amazing job, from your choice of format to your minor movie mentions, spotlighting great movies that are often lesser known, and showing such beautiful visuals that it always makes me want to immediately sit down in front of the best screen I can find and watch one of these older picks. You guys are giving such a great service and I hope the videos get the attention they deserve. Keep it up
I spent the whole list thinking why the channel was avoiding The Spy Who Came in from the Cold. And et voila, it's number 1, and well deserved. Such a great film.
. Tinker tailor Soldier Spy is a classic 5 star movie and series of all time. I’ve seen them all 10 time at least at this point. The acting and characters are excellent. 🎉🎉🎉 Cheers
It’s a mini-series and not a film, but “The Night Manager” is a La Carre adaptation that manages to live in different spy sub-genres all at once without losing any quality. Beautifully shot, incredible locations, and amazing performances from Tom Hiddleston, Olivia Colman, Hugh Laurie, and Elizabeth Debicki.
So good. Hiddleston played obsequious and nervous annoyingly well, Laurie the classic powerful bad guy, and Colman was perfect - and I'm just thinking her character reminds me of Fargo's Chief of Police Marge Gunderson.
I absolutely agree! I was sad not to see it here. Also, have you heard of a movie called The Tamarind Seed? Starring Omar Sharif and Julie Andrews. So good!
Top Secret!'s scene with Peter Cushing is part of the reason why we were able to get a digital Tarkin in Rogue One. Boom, that's a bonus thing... wait wrong show.
@@jacobschmidt2771 My memory is fuzzy on the details, but I think that they had a very detailed cast of Peter Cushing's head in order to make the gag of his enlarged eye being real and not just a part of the magnifying glass during the backwards scene
@@jacobschmidt2771 Because back then they took some kind of plaster negative of his face to create a big eye mask for the movie. The crew of rogue one got their hands on this negative and could scan it to have his real life face structure digitalized.
Indeed. Walter Matthau did a similar thing in "Hopscotch", dangling the threat of an expose in the form of a novel to his superiors while creatively enjoying business and pleasure as they work to quickly try to put a muzzle on him....for good.
I know it’s a movie list, but it’s worth mentioning the FX show “The Americans”. The Cold War setting and meticulous spy craft are what sets it apart from what, at its core, is a family drama about a couple trying to live a double life.
Agreed, that was the first time I felt like what being a spy must truly be like. The realism and non-glamour is what makes it great. Wonder if there is more of something like that
@@omarfarooq7211 Looks like the creator of the show, Joe Weisberg, wrote a book before the show even came out and it’s being developed into a movie. Now, I’m gonna have to check out this book.
I’ve watched so many Bond films, and yet I’ve only liked 2: Casino Royale and, strangely enough, Tomorrow Never Dies. (For the latter, it’s all about that motorcycle/helicopter chase as well as Vincent Schiavelli’s hilarious cameo.)
Glad to see From Russia With Love picked from all the Bond franchise - iconic villain, memorable train fight, no over-the-top gadgets, and a great middle ground between Goldfinger and Dr. No.
Some of the Bond series were terrible, especially the Roger Moore ones. Moore was much better than anything he ever did as Bond in a 1970s thriller called Ffolkes about an attempted hijacking of a North Sea oil platform.
@@texasred2702 That's weird. I really liked The Spy who loved me but I think the rest of them are forgettable. Connery is my favorite Bond and Diamonds are Forever is my favorite movie.
LOVE that you folks are back doing lists! Baffled that no Japanese film even got a visual or mention here, particularly the prolific and profound 1960s wave of dead-serious noir-ish ninja films like Shinobi no Mono (shamelessly cribbed by the Bond franchise) and Masahiro Shinoda's Samurai Spy absolutely belongs in your borderline arthouse category.
Its A Gem, Spielberg break his own making style for this movie, there is a shot that cover 7 different areas but in one shot 🔥🔥only Spielberg can do it this, and also he is the most technically brilliant film maker in the world
Loved Munich, found it extremely rewatchable for it's sumptuous European locations and 'modern costume drama'. The score keeps the sense of dread and foreboding high as Avner's mental health deteriorates but doesn't leave him completely.
"Eastern Promises" should have had a mention. The whole twist where you realize the main character is a cop is only a ruse to lead you away from why he's getting the revered tattoos. Genius. Added bonus for the heartbreaking end scene where the main character kisses a potentially beautiful and fulfilling life goodbye.
The first 2 "Taxi" films by Luc Besson are absolutely worth a watch if you like car stunts/driving. The French ones, not the awful remake with Queen Latifah.
It would probably get canceled today bc of the Will Patton character and tbh it was offensive even for the times but it was still one of the best spy thrillers in a decade with a lot of good ones. Also worth seeing is The Big Clock from 1948 on which it was based.
I really dislike that movie. Can you explain the appeal? Honest question, I don't mean to be judgemental. I just don't understand why some people like it.
So happy to see Lust, Caution on here. I remember seeing it when it came out and thought it was one of the best Spy films ever but could never get anyone to watch it. Glad I am not the only one to think it is as great as it is. I do wish Spy Game was on here as I think it is probably the most underrated movie by both Brad Pitt and Robert Redford. I get it isn't the popular pick but I still love. Thanks for the Sneakers shoutout. I loved that movie since I was a kid.
I have waited for the better part of a decade for Cinefix to highlight some films based on Le Carre's work, may he rest in peace. In particular, Tinker Tailor holds a special place in my heart, I really think it's Gary Oldman's best performance to date (the scene where he recounts meeting Karla is pure gold). Thank you for shining a spotlight on this wonderful genre, you've really made my day.
If you haven't already, get hold of the BBC TV series. Guinness is at least as good as Oldman (closer to the book's character) but the supporting characters are more rounded and prominent than in the movie - helped by the extra length. Also much more distinctly ENGLISH in feel with the sense of a recently lost Empire (not surprising given the time and place it was made).
@@kenoliver8913 I have, my impressions were very similar to yours. But I respect the film adaptation's choices (both character- and story-wise), as you say, the shorter runtime bears on what you can show.
There's an excessive amount of irony in the fact that you made a top 10 spy film list and DIDN'T MENTION A SINGLE KOREAN FILM. This fact is inexcusable and unforgivable. The Spy Gone North is the best espionage OAT. The Man Standing Next, and The Age of Shadows are both phenomenal as well.
Besides already mentioned Spy game (its ending is one of the best scenes in movies) you should not forget the original Nikita (La Femme Nikita) by Luc Besson, not the remake. One of the classics.
"The Ipcress File" deserves a mention. Michael Caine in top form, and quirky unsettling photography. (Edit: It turns out I missed the very brief mention at 9:20 but it deserves more.)
@@davidnorthrop2298 very good! I saw this movie as a little kid. I actually followed it. Went decades without seeing it. Found a vhs of it in Japan, of all places.
I was sure, especially in the #2 slot, that you'd be mentioning Hitchcock's "Notorious," to my mind his best, and thus, one of the best movies I've ever seen.
The minute I opened the video, I was expecting to see "The Spy Who Came In From The Cold", one of the best spy films I've ever seen and very underrated one! Great screenplay, cinematography and acting. Too bad you didn’t mention the great performance from Richard Burton!
I think it belongs to a sister category, which is the undercover cop movie. Considering that there are many great movies in that genre, like The Departed, Reservoir Dogs, Eastern Promises and so many more, they simply deserve their own separated category.
The Good Shepherd was something I kept holding out hope for. Knew it wouldn’t make the list but was hoping for a mention since you hear absolutely nothing about it. Decent list though. Got some movies to add to the list.
I can’t tell you how happy I am that you guys picked From Russia With Love over Goldfinger. I love all the Bond films, but FRWL should be in a museum as the pinnacle of 60s spy media.
Everytime i watch one of these lists, I feel like there should be an 11th spot reserved for the film that pops up the most in the honourable mentions. So many times there are films that work brilliantly across multiple sections, but aren't the best at any 1 section
happily surprised to see a dutch film mentioned. We are not known for our films, but black book was quite good. (And it is to date the most expensive movie made in the Netherlands. even though the budget was relatively small compared to Hollywood standards.)
Top Secret! on a CineFix list?! Cool. Disappointed there was no mention of one of my all time favorites, The Falcon and The Snowman. Also, The Americans television series is awesome.
I love Le Carre, the original miniseries starring Sir Alec Guinness, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier Spy is perfect as is Smiley's People. It's a master class in great acting. Thank you for this retrospective. :)
@@cpenner7086 I don't understand. A bunch of mediocre spy films in made this list. Example: The Man From UNCLE. Why Tenet didn't? Inception is also a spy film.
Looong time cinefix fan-love the lists so much. I would love to see a list of the best third world revolutionary cinema pieces. El topo, battle of Algiers, black god white devil, hour of the furnaces, I am Cuba etc. make it happen!
@@comicbookninja5268 It's in the tradition of other classic romantic comedies, such as "It Happened One Night" (walls of Jerico), where there's a wink to the audience that "Here, they're doing it".
I would have liked to see The Good Shepard on this list. Pretty much the history of CIA from their beginnings as the OSS up until the early part of the cold war, but done with a fictional story. Damon and De Niro among many others.
The Lives of Others...so underrated. So good. Broke my heart. The lead actor died some time after completing this film. He was also in Funny Games. Check these out, folks. This is one of my fave genres of films, for sure. The Conformist! 👍🏻👍🏻
It's not comparable except in quality, but I have to point out Short Term 12, simply because I can't believe that someone can write what you wrote and know about it.
I've been watching this channel now for over a year or two and I watched a lot of (especially) top 10 lists but on that moment I saw black book (as a dutch guy) totally lost my mind.
I’m surprised you saved the top spot for John LeCarre, and then didn’t mention The Russia House. It’s an excellent film, with Sean Connery playing a very un-Bond like character in a much more realistic spy story. Plus an amazing cast that includes Michelle Pfeiffer, James Fox, Roy Scheider and Klaus Maria Brandauer. And some spectacular locations in Moscow.
I was on the "ok, maybe I'll check it out" side until you mentioned Brandauer. A movie he's good in is always an amazing experience. Thanks for the tipp.
@@kostajovanovic3711 To be honest I've only seen some of his old TV movies (awesome) and the James Bond (ok) of his movies :-) Let me rephrase: All movies of his, that I have watched and where he was good, have been amazing.
A new Cinefix list means one thing: a handful of movies to add on my watch list :)
you're GOD damn right
Yep, that's actually one of the reasons I subscribed to this channel. The way they deliver a top ten list by categorizing 10 subgenres, then naming 3, 4, 8 or 12 great films that could've won, but didn't.
Then giving me a title that I've never heard of to be #1(and when I view it, I usually agree with him)
Yeah, great content all around.
This comment is under every video they put out..
@@cfbilly70 Really? I hadn't noticed, but now I'll be looking for it! Then, I can give the same reply, on every one! #gottabeconsistent
only the main listed ones or all the referenced movied?? a few years back when I ahd more time I tried to watch al referenced movies..... I dont think I need to say I failed miserably..
The Lives of Others is one of the greatest movies I've ever seen. So many people have never watched it. Thanks for including it on this list.
I love this film and you are right, hardly anyone has seen it, it seems
I went bonkers when I so it. It's so good. Probably the most worth my film major degree over was because I had no idea what to expect when I watched it. I left with a film I generally consider one of the best of all time.
Movie sucks , sorry to hear that
Someone hyped me about this movie saying it literally changed his life, and I went and bought it. Didn't think anything of it, and frankly I can't even remember what it was about. Heck, I didn't even remember it was a spy film.
100% . It still haunts me. The death of ideas and the human spirit. Incredible movie.
When Pierce Brosnan was asked, in an interview, how he felt about being chosen to be the new Bond, naturally he responded very positively. And then he said, "But you know, Sean Connery is The Man".
May be... but Connery wasn't "swarve" He was rough, ready and full of charisma...
The dictionary word for "swarve" is 110% Moore...
That was the main change between the 2.. Rough and ready v's Swarve and sophisticated.
@@fingersTitan what does swarve mean? Or do you mean suave?
@@fingersTitan something tells me you didn't look up the definition of suave
@@fingersTitan lmao
He was Roger Moore redux.
I was hoping the original Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy or Smiley's People for the BBC would be number 1 as its more a long movie in a few parts than true TV, and it truly is the greatest spy movie(ish) ever made with a truly transcendant Alec Guinness. So close. So, so close. Great list as always.
Was never gonna happen in a movie list, but damn, if the BBC’s Tinker Tailor wasn’t one of the best TV adaptations of anything anywhere at any time. A simply stellar cast too
The Tinker Tailor series is still, to this day, one of the most delicate works of drama I've ever had the pleasure to watch. And, on some fronts, with the credit music they elected in particular, among the most emotionally harrowing.
Even though I'm an old-school cinephile, who grew up on New Wave and arthouses in the 60s, and always thought TV to be an enemy, the line between "film" and "TV series" is becoming less and less relevant. Even before Covid closed movie theaters, I've been more often excited the past decade or so by TV stuff than actual film. The freedom of a mini-series, or what's now called "limited series", is a much better format for adapting a LeCarre work, where so much is atmosphere.
too bad there is no honorable schoolboy.
The best things the BBC have ever done (Attenborough’s Life series’ the possible exception), and maybe the best drama TV will ever get. They had to get a mention, even though not cinema.
#1 : the mirror
#2 : in the mood for love
#3 : Shrek
Or The 3rd man lol
Citizen Kane.
I see what you did there.
Just about died laughing at this one.
Can I just say that these Cinefix lists are some of my favourite content on UA-cam. You guys do an amazing job, from your choice of format to your minor movie mentions, spotlighting great movies that are often lesser known, and showing such beautiful visuals that it always makes me want to immediately sit down in front of the best screen I can find and watch one of these older picks. You guys are giving such a great service and I hope the videos get the attention they deserve. Keep it up
I spent the whole list thinking why the channel was avoiding The Spy Who Came in from the Cold. And et voila, it's number 1, and well deserved. Such a great film.
Surprised "Notorious" wasn't mentioned. Hitchcock's best film, IMO.
Good point! 👍
Have you seen Dial M for Murder?
@@Liam_Mellon a gem of a film
@House Of Fleapit The Lady Vanishes
Hitchcock's best film? The discussion takes a week. And no one can convince the other. For example, I think Rebecca is his best film.
I was waiting for the mention of Tinker, Taylor, soldier, spy. Such a brilliant film, too often forgotten. Superb list.
. Tinker tailor Soldier Spy is a classic 5 star movie and series of all time. I’ve seen them all 10 time at least at this point. The acting and characters are excellent. 🎉🎉🎉 Cheers
@@sofreshsoclean983its mentioned at 19:49
@@mick16wtf Awesome, thank you!
I don't know if The Man Who Knew Too Little deserved one of the spots in the parody/silly categories, but it definitely deserved at least a mention.
Came here to comment the same thing. Awesome film, deserved at least a mention in Top Secret!'s category.
Same with Spy Hard
Came looking for this comment. Such a well written spy comedy
An excellent film, but not what we are here for
I was going to make the same comment. One of my favorite Bull Murray movies.
The Eye of the Needle is bloody brilliant - I’m glad it was flashed up for a couple of seconds!
Excellent book and excellent movie.
Surprised how good it was. It got the director Return of the Jedi.
Donald Sutherland is phenomenal as the stone-cold iceman.
It’s a mini-series and not a film, but “The Night Manager” is a La Carre adaptation that manages to live in different spy sub-genres all at once without losing any quality. Beautifully shot, incredible locations, and amazing performances from Tom Hiddleston, Olivia Colman, Hugh Laurie, and Elizabeth Debicki.
So good. Hiddleston played obsequious and nervous annoyingly well, Laurie the classic powerful bad guy, and Colman was perfect - and I'm just thinking her character reminds me of Fargo's Chief of Police Marge Gunderson.
yes, one of my favorites
I’ll look for it, thank you. Are you familiar with his, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, it’s a classic?
The Day of the Jackal (1973) is surely deserving of a mention. The best cat and mouse spy film.
Agreed. I was surprised it want mentioned. But they probably think of it as a Police Drama over a Spy Movie.
It's so, so good. And does it with little to no music.
I absolutely agree! I was sad not to see it here. Also, have you heard of a movie called The Tamarind Seed? Starring Omar Sharif and Julie Andrews. So good!
Great movie, but not quite a Spy Movie.
They left out Spy Kids, that’s a Spy Film but with children!
The Lives of Others is a great one
Such a great film. Sad the main actor died not long after that
Absolutely chilling movie!
Top Secret!'s scene with Peter Cushing is part of the reason why we were able to get a digital Tarkin in Rogue One. Boom, that's a bonus thing... wait wrong show.
Really, how so?
@@jacobschmidt2771 My memory is fuzzy on the details, but I think that they had a very detailed cast of Peter Cushing's head in order to make the gag of his enlarged eye being real and not just a part of the magnifying glass during the backwards scene
@@jacobschmidt2771 Because back then they took some kind of plaster negative of his face to create a big eye mask for the movie. The crew of rogue one got their hands on this negative and could scan it to have his real life face structure digitalized.
@@Moosbett yep, something like that :D
And amazingly Rogue One is a great spy film.
I’m really proud of you guys for putting True Lies atop one of these categories.
Also, I really need to look up Lust, Caution
I was always a fan of Spy Game with Robert Redford and Brad Pitt. Redford making the CIA look like clowns on his last day of work was such a treat.
It is one of my favorite films of all times. Redford as the cold, calculating spymaster who has done it all, only to break his own rules in the end.
I have no idea how this movie wasn't even mentioned in this list. I absolutely love Spy Game.
Indeed. Walter Matthau did a similar thing in "Hopscotch", dangling the threat of an expose in the form of a novel to his superiors while creatively enjoying business and pleasure as they work to quickly try to put a muzzle on him....for good.
Came here to say this. Well worth a mention. I'd've put it on the list.
Yup
True Lies is still one of my favorites. Just a fun ride.
I miss "Spy Games" and "The Good Shepherd" on this list.
The Good Shepherd is a slow-burn masterpiece to my mind. And who knew Robert De Niro was so good at directing!
I know it’s a movie list, but it’s worth mentioning the FX show “The Americans”. The Cold War setting and meticulous spy craft are what sets it apart from what, at its core, is a family drama about a couple trying to live a double life.
Agreed, that was the first time I felt like what being a spy must truly be like. The realism and non-glamour is what makes it great. Wonder if there is more of something like that
@@omarfarooq7211 Looks like the creator of the show, Joe Weisberg, wrote a book before the show even came out and it’s being developed into a movie. Now, I’m gonna have to check out this book.
My fav show
Too bad they refuse to offer the entire series on bluray so far.
@@Geronimo_Jehoshaphat right?! They probably would if the show was more popular, but yes, I would buy it in a heartbeat. It’s in HD on prime.
I’d still go with Casino Royale, but serious respect for picking From Russia With Love!
Goldfinger is the best Bond movie. For me.
@@b00merism overrated
@@b00merism Agreed, but only just. I feel GoldenEye and Skyfall are right there too.
I’ve watched so many Bond films, and yet I’ve only liked 2: Casino Royale and, strangely enough, Tomorrow Never Dies. (For the latter, it’s all about that motorcycle/helicopter chase as well as Vincent Schiavelli’s hilarious cameo.)
Sean Connery is the best. Dr. No is my favorite.
Glad to see From Russia With Love picked from all the Bond franchise - iconic villain, memorable train fight, no over-the-top gadgets, and a great middle ground between Goldfinger and Dr. No.
I read somewhere that the train fight between Connery and Shaw is the best action sequence of any Bond film.
Extremely satisfied with this number one. The moment I saw the title of this video and I could think of only one movie and one movie alone. Excellent!
The Day Of The Jackal could also fit somewhere in here, and it is pure, concentrated excellence.
But a straight thriller, not a spy film.
There's probably going to be a category just for Bond
Some of the Bond series were terrible, especially the Roger Moore ones. Moore was much better than anything he ever did as Bond in a 1970s thriller called Ffolkes about an attempted hijacking of a North Sea oil platform.
@@texasred2702 That's weird. I really liked The Spy who loved me but I think the rest of them are forgettable. Connery is my favorite Bond and Diamonds are Forever is my favorite movie.
@@texasred2702 octopussy and view to a kill were awesome movies.
LOVE that you folks are back doing lists! Baffled that no Japanese film even got a visual or mention here, particularly the prolific and profound 1960s wave of dead-serious noir-ish ninja films like Shinobi no Mono (shamelessly cribbed by the Bond franchise) and Masahiro Shinoda's Samurai Spy absolutely belongs in your borderline arthouse category.
Best exchange ever in a spy movie:
"Do you expect me to talk?"
"No, Mister Bond... I expect you to die!"
Bill Paxton's performance is still the best part of True Lies.
R.I.P.
Munich is Spielbergs most underrated film. A masterpiece.
Its A Gem, Spielberg break his own making style for this movie, there is a shot that cover 7 different areas but in one shot 🔥🔥only Spielberg can do it this, and also he is the most technically brilliant film maker in the world
Considering that all of Spielberg's films are overrated, I wonder how that works.
A.I., Minority Report, Catch Me if You Can, Munich... Spielberg was ON FIRE those years. Maybe at his best.
@@reidflemingworldstoughestm1394 in that it's far from the first film people will think of whenever the director's name is mentioned
Loved Munich, found it extremely rewatchable for it's sumptuous European locations and 'modern costume drama'. The score keeps the sense of dread and foreboding high as Avner's mental health deteriorates but doesn't leave him completely.
From Russia With Love...perfect, just before the gadgets and parody took over....also for Connery’s strut to the 007 theme
Not even a mention of Notorious?
I also think The Good Shepherd is undeservedly neglected.
Lust, Caution and The Lives of Others are great. Interestingly, when the slot was being explained, I already knew the pick
I was rooting for Spy Game in Das Leben der Anderen's category. But that was because I didn't even consider Das Leben der Anderen. Excellent choice.
"Eastern Promises" should have had a mention. The whole twist where you realize the main character is a cop is only a ruse to lead you away from why he's getting the revered tattoos. Genius. Added bonus for the heartbreaking end scene where the main character kisses a potentially beautiful and fulfilling life goodbye.
That's an awesome movie but you don't realize it's a spy movie until the very end. The sauna fight is badass
As a motorsports fan, I consider Ronin to have the most brilliant chase scene I've ever saw in cinema.
Ronin, Bullet, French Connection, Blues Brothers, this needs a list if it doesn't have one already.
The first 2 "Taxi" films by Luc Besson are absolutely worth a watch if you like car stunts/driving. The French ones, not the awful remake with Queen Latifah.
@@jinbee2627 I'll check it out. Love Fifth Element, wish the rest of his catalog held up as well as that does.
That honor still belongs to “Bullitt”.
As I said about Day of the Jackal, great movie but not quite a Spy Movie.
The Molly Maguires
Sean Connery and Richard Harris in their prime. Really one of my most favorite spy flicks.
Thanks for mentioning "TOP SECRET".
The underwater scene,
The reverse scene..
Oh my!!! Its creativity 101.
Never even noticed Lust, caution and the Conformist were Spy movies.
Where is “No Way Out” with Kevin Costner. That is one tense and well acted spy-thriller.
It would probably get canceled today bc of the Will Patton character and tbh it was offensive even for the times but it was still one of the best spy thrillers in a decade with a lot of good ones.
Also worth seeing is The Big Clock from 1948 on which it was based.
Still in histories dust bins. Maybe one day it’ll receive its due.
That movie has a great chase scene
That movie gets props from me just for the amount of imagination it must have taken to come up with that screenplay from The Big Clock.
Absolutely agree whole heartedly. Saw it blank, remember it as very tense, ahh the fax-nachine scene...
The fact Spy Kids wasn’t mentioned once makes me more upset than I should
Yeah should've had a kids spy movies in the list. But I forgive them for putting true lies here.
I really dislike that movie. Can you explain the appeal? Honest question, I don't mean to be judgemental. I just don't understand why some people like it.
@@gab_gallard it’s mostly nostalgia but there is a charm to how wonky everything is from the CGI to the Acting at least to me anyways lol
lol that crappy movie
It had some fire quotes tho@@euphorik3120
TTSS is one of the most underrated gems of last decade
I have been anxious for a follow up with Smiley's People. I have seen Tinker, Tailor many times.
thank god there were a lot of leCarre-movies at the end....., i was so upset till they came :)
I don't know how both Spy Game and Casablanca don't even get nods
Good point! How can anyone not think Casablanca is a spy film?
Casablanca is not a spy film.
"Casablanca" ??
Its amazing but not a spy movie
@@Marlo_Branco Rick isn't the spy he's the contact that gets burned.
So happy to see Lust, Caution on here. I remember seeing it when it came out and thought it was one of the best Spy films ever but could never get anyone to watch it. Glad I am not the only one to think it is as great as it is. I do wish Spy Game was on here as I think it is probably the most underrated movie by both Brad Pitt and Robert Redford. I get it isn't the popular pick but I still love. Thanks for the Sneakers shoutout. I loved that movie since I was a kid.
Drinking game: "Set pieces"
Drinking Game: "Spy"/"Spies"
If he says "We (verbed) (title), we (adverb) (different verbed) (title), and of course who could forget (title)," you have to do a shot.
CIA:Operation Mockingbird
I have waited for the better part of a decade for Cinefix to highlight some films based on Le Carre's work, may he rest in peace. In particular, Tinker Tailor holds a special place in my heart, I really think it's Gary Oldman's best performance to date (the scene where he recounts meeting Karla is pure gold). Thank you for shining a spotlight on this wonderful genre, you've really made my day.
If you haven't already, get hold of the BBC TV series. Guinness is at least as good as Oldman (closer to the book's character) but the supporting characters are more rounded and prominent than in the movie - helped by the extra length. Also much more distinctly ENGLISH in feel with the sense of a recently lost Empire (not surprising given the time and place it was made).
@@kenoliver8913 I have, my impressions were very similar to yours. But I respect the film adaptation's choices (both character- and story-wise), as you say, the shorter runtime bears on what you can show.
There's an excessive amount of irony in the fact that you made a top 10 spy film list and DIDN'T MENTION A SINGLE KOREAN FILM. This fact is inexcusable and unforgivable. The Spy Gone North is the best espionage OAT. The Man Standing Next, and The Age of Shadows are both phenomenal as well.
Besides already mentioned Spy game (its ending is one of the best scenes in movies) you should not forget the original Nikita (La Femme Nikita) by Luc Besson, not the remake. One of the classics.
I rewatched La Femme Nikita a few months ago. It did not age well.
Seeing True Lies make the list literally gave me goosebumps! Love that silly movie. RIP Bill Paxton.
"The Ipcress File" deserves a mention. Michael Caine in top form, and quirky unsettling photography.
(Edit: It turns out I missed the very brief mention at 9:20 but it deserves more.)
It was good. And The Funeral in Berlin was (for me) even better.
It was mentioned
@@vaclav_fejt I saw Funeral in Berlin. A good Palmer movie but not nearly as cool, thrilling, tense as The Ipcress File.
When Bond came up, I was eagerly hoping for either Skyfall, possibly GoldenEye or mostly, the one you picked. Truly the right choice there.
Everyone has seemingly forgotten about "Five Fingers" starring James Mason and Michael Rennie. Most underrated.
also called "Cisero"
@@davidnorthrop2298 very good! I saw this movie as a little kid. I actually followed it. Went decades without seeing it. Found a vhs of it in Japan, of all places.
Yes!
Yes Top Secret getting some love, one of my favourites. Everyone should watch
My inner adolescent squealed when I saw this on the list. I watched it repeatedly when it came out.
I was sure, especially in the #2 slot, that you'd be mentioning Hitchcock's "Notorious," to my mind his best, and thus, one of the best movies I've ever seen.
Absolutely.
You forgot The Man Who Knew Too Little! Bill Murray in a hilarious mistaken identity spy movie.
I came here for this comment.
The brilliant The Lives of Others being on this list is all I wanted, and I got it. Thanks CineFix!
We all knew Cinefix couldn’t make a list without mentioning The Third Man
At number 10 you should have mentioned the Bill Murray movie "the man who knew too little"!
I have a soft spot for that film.
Major props for picking The Lives of Others. That's an amazing film that I wish more people would see.
The minute I opened the video, I was expecting to see "The Spy Who Came In From The Cold", one of the best spy films I've ever seen and very underrated one! Great screenplay, cinematography and acting. Too bad you didn’t mention the great performance from Richard Burton!
A bit boring film.
“The Departed isn’t a spy film”
*looks up definition of Spy*
Me: uhhhh
Hm, just read this en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Espionage and there's nothing about undercover cops.
I was waiting for this to come up on the list.
spy in this context is an "international spy"
I think it belongs to a sister category, which is the undercover cop movie. Considering that there are many great movies in that genre, like The Departed, Reservoir Dogs, Eastern Promises and so many more, they simply deserve their own separated category.
OSS Cairo: Nest Of Spies. Thanks for reminding me.
Excellent list! I have, Three Days of the Condor, Our Man in Havana, and The Good Shepard (one of the most underrated movies ever, imo) in my top ten.
Love, love, love Three Days of the Condor. All too believable, and incredibly prescient.
I loved No Way Out! A pure spy movie with Kevin Costner.
With a fantastic twist! And without giving it away, I love the idea of running an investigation in which all the clues seem to lead to you.
@@moeball740 it was, and is, awesome
Much better than many on the list.
A remake of 1948's The Big Clock with Ray Milland and Charles Laughton.
Oh yeah, it’s a doozy, thanks for reminding me!
The Good Shepherd was something I kept holding out hope for. Knew it wouldn’t make the list but was hoping for a mention since you hear absolutely nothing about it. Decent list though. Got some movies to add to the list.
True Lies achieved the impossible: it made Tom Arnold funny. I can’t stand him in pretty much everything he does, but he’s so good in this movie.
James Cameron and Arnie always made for a winning combo
Hit and Run is worthy mention for Tom Arnold IMO
@@VacFink so I guess the secret is to cast him as a government agent of some kind
@@erakfishfishfish You got it. There range and some actors have it in spades. Then there's ol' Tom who has just the 2 of spades.
The action scenes was so good, that one of the James Bond filmes was delayed and more money on the table....
I can’t tell you how happy I am that you guys picked From Russia With Love over Goldfinger. I love all the Bond films, but FRWL should be in a museum as the pinnacle of 60s spy media.
That and OHMSS
Glad to see Ronin got a shout out. I've absolutely loved that movie since it came out and not enough people talk about it!
This is insane, I'm getting ads ever 4 minutes.
Or use Vanced yt
@@paoloimperiale9018 Don't tell people about it lmao
Ok well that’s about 11 new movies I need to watch
2:52 Yes! Glad to see ‘Our Man in Havana’ got a mention.
The Parallax View could've fit in here somewhere. I was actually about to mention The Departed. Thanks for stopping me lol
yes parallax view
Everytime i watch one of these lists, I feel like there should be an 11th spot reserved for the film that pops up the most in the honourable mentions.
So many times there are films that work brilliantly across multiple sections, but aren't the best at any 1 section
That's a really good idea.
happily surprised to see a dutch film mentioned. We are not known for our films, but black book was quite good. (And it is to date the most expensive movie made in the Netherlands. even though the budget was relatively small compared to Hollywood standards.)
Top Secret! on a CineFix list?! Cool.
Disappointed there was no mention of one of my all time favorites, The Falcon and The Snowman.
Also, The Americans television series is awesome.
From Russia With Love was always one of my favorite Bond movies
Damned, i was hoping to see tinker tailor soldier spy in that list, i loved this movie so much!
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy should be #1! In the "mystery" department, maybe?
I love Le Carre, the original miniseries starring Sir Alec Guinness, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier Spy is perfect as is Smiley's People. It's a master class in great acting. Thank you for this retrospective. :)
The absolute best there is
BEST IVE EVER SEEN!!!🎉🎉🎉🎉
I thought Beryl Reid was sensational in the TV series of both Tinker Tailor and Smileys People, and Bernard Hepton was out of this world.
Traitor with Don Cheadle is one of my favorite spy films.
Thank you for shouting out Top Secret! If you can watch that and say Val Kilmer doesn't explode off the screen, well friend, I can't help you.
I title I would like to suggest is the thrilling The Ghost Writer by Roman Polanski, with a great Ewan Mcgregor
Such a great film with a magnificent score.
I've watched it so many times, such a great movie.
People try to bury it even tho it's good, but tbh the trailer was shit
@@o.l4890 wasn't there some sort of scandal when it came out too? I thought that's why no one went to see ut
@@piyam5000 Roman Polanski is a scandal himself
Wow, there are so many ads now that IGN is here
TENET!!! Can't believe that doesn't get a mention!
Because it is not that good compared to almost any of these mentions and pmus it is more scifi tr than spy.
@@cpenner7086 I don't understand. A bunch of mediocre spy films in made this list. Example: The Man From UNCLE. Why Tenet didn't? Inception is also a spy film.
I swear, not even a MENTION of Spy Kids in the first entry? COME ON!
They met real action spy thrillers not kid friendly ones
Looong time cinefix fan-love the lists so much. I would love to see a list of the best third world revolutionary cinema pieces. El topo, battle of Algiers, black god white devil, hour of the furnaces, I am Cuba etc. make it happen!
I recommend Pontecorvo's Burn! (1969) if you have never seen it.
The Falcon and the Snowman is an amazing film. And based on a true story to boot.
An underrated, mostly forgotten spy flick is SCORPIO from 1973 starring Burt Lancaster, Alain Delon and Paul Scofield.
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is the greatest spy movie I have ever seen. I'll admit that it has somewhat spoiled spy movies for me. But I love that film!
I would have thought "Notorious" would have at least gotten an honorable mention!
The Johnny English franchise was sorely missed from this list
Along that same line. I love Bill Murray's The Man who to little.
Notorious and The Man Who knew Too Much are 2 Hitchcock classics with no mention.
"North By Northwest" works as a romantic comedy as well. That's not stated often enough.
The last shot was hilarious
@@comicbookninja5268 It's in the tradition of other classic romantic comedies, such as "It Happened One Night" (walls of Jerico), where there's a wink to the audience that "Here, they're doing it".
I would have liked to see The Good Shepard on this list. Pretty much the history of CIA from their beginnings as the OSS up until the early part of the cold war, but done with a fictional story. Damon and De Niro among many others.
With all the fucked up shit it to other countries over the years in the film, i hope?
Munich is a masterpiece great pick guys!
Perhaps Spielberg's worst.
The Lives of Others...so underrated. So good. Broke my heart. The lead actor died some time after completing this film. He was also in Funny Games. Check these out, folks.
This is one of my fave genres of films, for sure.
The Conformist! 👍🏻👍🏻
My dad loves Spy who came in from the Cold. I should finally get to it.
Munich's ability to extract incredible amounts of tension and suspense from a lingering shot on a lamp still amazes me
The life of others is truly an amazing film. I haven't seen as good a film as that in so long? If you haven't seen it, get it watched!! 😂
It's not comparable except in quality, but I have to point out Short Term 12, simply because I can't believe that someone can write what you wrote and know about it.
Yes, excellent! Has the Best Foreign Movie Oscar to sustain its panache.
@@beageler you're correct, I haven't seen short term 12 😂
Don't sit on #4, it's amazing every time I re-watch it.
I've been watching this channel now for over a year or two and I watched a lot of (especially) top 10 lists but on that moment I saw black book (as a dutch guy) totally lost my mind.
I’m surprised you saved the top spot for John LeCarre, and then didn’t mention The Russia House. It’s an excellent film, with Sean Connery playing a very un-Bond like character in a much more realistic spy story. Plus an amazing cast that includes Michelle Pfeiffer, James Fox, Roy Scheider and Klaus Maria Brandauer. And some spectacular locations in Moscow.
I was on the "ok, maybe I'll check it out" side until you mentioned Brandauer. A movie he's good in is always an amazing experience. Thanks for the tipp.
@@beageler some people might watch out of Africa because if that, be careful
@@kostajovanovic3711 To be honest I've only seen some of his old TV movies (awesome) and the James Bond (ok) of his movies :-)
Let me rephrase: All movies of his, that I have watched and where he was good, have been amazing.