Guest Post | Top Three Spy Films That Influenced My Writing by Matthew Richardson (My Name is Nobody)

Published by Penguin on July 13, 2017

Top Three Spy Films That Influenced My Writing

THE SPY WHO CAME IN FROM THE COLD (1965)

Richard Burton is the perfect fit for Alec Leamas, a crumpled MI6 agent-runner sent out on one final operation. Probably the most famous spy thriller of all time and certainly the most stylishly written. Set to be revived with a new BBC adaptation, but don’t miss the original.

THE DAY OF THE JACKAL (1973)

One of the most iconic spy films ever made, based on the original novel by Frederick Forsyth. Edward Fox is unmissable as the elusive Jackal, an assassin preparing to take out President Charles de Gaulle. An eerie and compelling conspiracy thriller that more than stands the test of time.

SKYFALL (2012)

The first Bond film directed by Sam Mendes, Skyfall combines Daniel Craig’s rugged interpretation of Bond with a new and beguiling visual style. The result is an adaptation that, despite not being taken from a Fleming novel, feels closer to the spirit of the original source material than any other onscreen incarnation.