Das Osterman-Weekend (1983)

Das Osterman-Weekend: Directed by Sam Peckinpah. With Rutger Hauer, John Hurt, Craig T. Nelson, Dennis Hopper. During the Cold War, a controversial television journalist is asked by the C.I.A. to persuade certain acquaintances, who are Soviet Agents of the Omega network, to defect.

“The Robert Ludlum book of the same name is excellent, very tense and very well written. I waited ages for this film to come along at the right price (25p off ebay, ha ha), but how disappointed I was when I finally saw it. Maybe it wouldnu0026#39;t be a bad film if it wasnu0026#39;t based on a book, but it is, and a great book at that. Therefore, I have to compare the film with the original as the two canu0026#39;t be separated. Relative to the book, the film is, frankly, rubbish Iu0026#39;m sorry to say. I had such high expectations, but the film bore such little resemblance to the book that had I not known it was called u0026quot;The Osterman Weekendu0026quot;, I would never have guessed that it was based on the book of the same name.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eI gave this film 5/10 simply because I made it through to the end (and Rutger Hauer and John Hurt have done some great stuff), but it was more out of morbid curiosity as to how much more they could butcher the book than for any entertainment value. This was a film that was a product of its time (replete with cheesy music and bad acting) and it hasnu0026#39;t aged well. Iu0026#39;m glad I bought it for 25p because any more and I wouldu0026#39;ve considered it a waste of money.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eIf it comes up on TV and you have 90 minutes burning a hole in your life, watch it – it isnu0026#39;t dreadful, but itu0026#39;s certainly not great. If youu0026#39;ve read the book and are hoping to see it brought to life, or think that youu0026#39;re about to watch another Sam Peckinpah classic, give it a miss, it really isnu0026#39;t worth it.”