IMDb RATING
7.1/10
9.3K
YOUR RATING
Grounded with a desk job by incompetent superiors, a clever CIA agent retires and writes a tell all memoir that will embarrass his bosses, prompting him to go on the run and elude them.Grounded with a desk job by incompetent superiors, a clever CIA agent retires and writes a tell all memoir that will embarrass his bosses, prompting him to go on the run and elude them.Grounded with a desk job by incompetent superiors, a clever CIA agent retires and writes a tell all memoir that will embarrass his bosses, prompting him to go on the run and elude them.
- Awards
- 3 nominations
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe Oktoberfest scene at the beginning of the film was not staged. The filmmakers hid eight cameras to prevent people from knowing they were being filmed.
- GoofsIn the scene at Myerson's house in Savannah, Kendig is getting ready to start typing and glances at a photo of Myerson. When the photo is first shown, Myerson is almost smiling, but the photograph changes several times after this. In fact, each change is intentional and is intended to show Myerson getting more frustrated and downtrodden as the plot progresses, culminating in the picture being shot in the forehead by one of the FBI agents (as explained in the introductory video on the DVD).
- Crazy creditsThe credits for the production crew members were mixed with those of the on-screen talent. "Lucy Saroyan -- Carla [Fleming]" (Walter Matthau's stepdaughter) had the role of the Seaplane Pilot, while "Richard Moore -- Seaplane Pilot" was the real-life pilot. The two helicopters in the film had real-life pilots who had no lines or face shots. If actor Philip Voss had a role as helicopter pilot, his scenes were cut. Two other men were listed as real-life helicopter pilots.
- Alternate versionsDVD version contains both the original theatrical soundtrack and a redubbed soundtrack used for television release (replacing profanity and other objectionable dialogue).
- ConnectionsEdited into The Clock (2010)
- SoundtracksIl barbiere di Siviglia
Written by Gioachino Rossini
Featured review
Hopscotch (1980)
A lightweight, enjoyable entertainment about an aging spy who has fun going renegade in his final weeks.
I have to admit I liked the movie for the congeniality of Walter Matthau. While not as zany (and original) as the much earlier "Charade" (also with Matthau), "Hopscotch" shares a lot of the feel of that movie, with villains who aren't quite villainous, and a leading man who is part bumbling and part a step ahead of the game. The supporting cast is fun, though just barely--both of the key CIA guys after our hero are good actors at their best, but they are not at their best here, especially Sam Waterston in a wishy-washy role. Most peculiar of all, and almost scotch-taped into both the plot and the casting, is very British and very different actress Glenda Jackson, a former spy who chips in as needed, and plays a growing role as things proceed.
British director Ronald Neame (who directed "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie" and "The Odessa File") is completely in charge here, making the most of a middling script that uses well worn or barely surprising twists and gags to keep a potentially violent espionage film from ever leaving light comedy. Because in fact the pace is consistent and the filming (under the eye of Arthur Ibbeteson, also British) is completely fine, if nothing to write home about. In fact, this feels like high budget British television, which is something different than pure Hollywood. Or it might feel like 1960 Hollywood widescreen with minor updates--not including the 1960s Hollywood star, Mr. Matthau.
But it is Matthau's movie, fortunately. He can be a convincing bumpkin and a warm hearted fellow, and he can be clever beneath his seeming simplicity. All of this is an advantage here, and you are completely on his side as he thwarts, with winks and tricks, the supposedly superior forces of a full press CIA assault. Expect some fun, and you won't be disappointed.
A lightweight, enjoyable entertainment about an aging spy who has fun going renegade in his final weeks.
I have to admit I liked the movie for the congeniality of Walter Matthau. While not as zany (and original) as the much earlier "Charade" (also with Matthau), "Hopscotch" shares a lot of the feel of that movie, with villains who aren't quite villainous, and a leading man who is part bumbling and part a step ahead of the game. The supporting cast is fun, though just barely--both of the key CIA guys after our hero are good actors at their best, but they are not at their best here, especially Sam Waterston in a wishy-washy role. Most peculiar of all, and almost scotch-taped into both the plot and the casting, is very British and very different actress Glenda Jackson, a former spy who chips in as needed, and plays a growing role as things proceed.
British director Ronald Neame (who directed "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie" and "The Odessa File") is completely in charge here, making the most of a middling script that uses well worn or barely surprising twists and gags to keep a potentially violent espionage film from ever leaving light comedy. Because in fact the pace is consistent and the filming (under the eye of Arthur Ibbeteson, also British) is completely fine, if nothing to write home about. In fact, this feels like high budget British television, which is something different than pure Hollywood. Or it might feel like 1960 Hollywood widescreen with minor updates--not including the 1960s Hollywood star, Mr. Matthau.
But it is Matthau's movie, fortunately. He can be a convincing bumpkin and a warm hearted fellow, and he can be clever beneath his seeming simplicity. All of this is an advantage here, and you are completely on his side as he thwarts, with winks and tricks, the supposedly superior forces of a full press CIA assault. Expect some fun, and you won't be disappointed.
- secondtake
- Apr 21, 2011
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- Zanimanje spijun
- Filming locations
- Mirabellplatz Garden, 5020 Salzburg, Austria(Where Miles Kendig meets Mikhail Yaskov)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $9,500,000 (estimated)
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