'Call for the Dead' (1967) Movie by John le Carré

Because of some copyright malarkey (noses), Columbia Pictures named the movie, 'The Deadly Affair', instead of 'Call for the Dead'. And poor old George Smiley, the central character, is renamed Charles Dobbs.

I cleaned up the movie visually in A.I. to improve the quality.

'The Deadly Affair', based on John le Carré's novel, 'Call for the Dead', follows British intelligence officer George Smiley (named Charles Dobbs in the movie), portrayed by James Mason, as he investigates the suspicious death of a Foreign Office official, Samuel Fennan. Initially deemed a suicide, Fennan's death occurs shortly after Smiley interviews him about a potential security breach involving communist ties. Smiley grows suspicious when he receives a morning phone call supposedly arranged by Fennan after his death.

Smiley delves deeper into the case, uncovering a web of deceit, espionage, and betrayal. He discovers that Fennan was indeed involved in espionage but had been manipulated and murdered to cover up a larger conspiracy. Along the way, Smiley must confront his own disillusionment with the intelligence world, as well as navigate danger from those seeking to silence him.

The film is a classic Cold War-era spy thriller, emphasizing psychological tension, moral ambiguity, and the personal toll of espionage work. Smiley's quiet, methodical approach to solving the case highlights his sharp intellect and unyielding determination to uncover the truth, even when faced with deadly opposition.