The Falcon and the Snowman (1985)

Director:

John Schlesinger

Writers:

Robert Lindsey (book)
Steven Zaillian (writer)

Release Date:

25 January 1985 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

They came from the best of families...They became the two most dangerous political criminals in the world. [Australia Video]

Plot:

The true story of a disillusioned military contractor employee and his drug pusher childhood friend who became walk-in spies for the Soviet Union.

Plot Keywords:

Spy | Drugs | Walk In Spy | Childhood Friend | Undercover

US TV Schedule:

Tue. Dec. 29

3:40 AM

MAX

Cast

Timothy Hutton	...	Christopher Boyce
Sean Penn	...	Daulton Lee
Pat Hingle	...	Mr. Charlie Boyce
Joyce Van Patten	...	Mrs. Boyce
Rob Reed	...	Boyce Child
Rob Newell	...	Boyce Child
Karen West	...	Boyce Child
Art Camacho	...	Boyce Child (as Arturo Comacho)
Annie Kozuch	...	Boyce Child
Richard Dysart	...	Dr. Lee
Priscilla Pointer	...	Mrs. Lee
Chris Makepeace	...	David Lee
Dorian Harewood	...	Gene
Mady Kaplan	...	Laurie
Macon McCalman	...	Larry Rogers

Runtime:

132 min

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Canada:R (Ontario) | Iceland:12 | Australia:M | Finland:K-16 | France:U | Norway:15 (re-rating) | Norway:16 (original rating) | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:R | West Germany:12

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Hemdale Film

Trivia:

The poem from which Boyce and his father recite is Tennyson's "Charge of the Light Brigade", about a battle in the Crimean War.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: During the border crossing, a 1978-80 Buick Regal coupe is seen although the film took place between 1974-1977.

Quotes:

[Alex, a KGB agent, informs Christopher and Dalton that they are not patriots, but paid traitors]
Alex: The moment you accepted money, you became professionals. It's just beginning.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Knight Rider: The Wrong Crowd (#4.5)" (1985)

Soundtrack:

WHITER SHADE OF PALE

Drugs and politics make poor bedfellows

Excellent drama about 2 alienated, spoiled punks who go afoul of the federal government, each for his own reasons. One, a druggie, just wants to score some bucks for his next fix, but the other has a far more sinister agenda fueled in part by a resentment of his father. Good performances and a hot script makes this a winner.