Watch Innocent Bystanders

Innocent Bystanders is a thrilling spy movie released in 1972, directed by Peter Collinson and starring Stanley Baker, Geraldine Chaplin, and Donald Pleasence. This movie is a must-watch for anyone who loves spy movies and thrilling action scenes. The story of Innocent Bystanders revolves around John Craig (Stanley Baker), a British secret agent who has been forced to flee after one of his mission fails. He manages to make it to Athens where he falls in love with Radmilla (Geraldine Chaplin), a beautiful woman who he meets at a bar. However, his happiness is short-lived as he is soon kidnapped by the Soviet KGB in an attempt to get information from him about his failed mission. They torture him mercilessly, and he is only saved when he is rescued by another British agent.

John's troubles do not end there, as he soon finds himself caught in a web of intrigue and espionage. He is sent on another mission, this time to Budapest, where he is supposed to smuggle a defecting Russian scientist out of the country. However, things get complicated when he discovers that his contact has been killed, and he finds himself being hunted by both the Soviet and British secret services.

The plot of Innocent Bystanders is complex and suspenseful, with plenty of twists and turns to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. The action scenes are well-staged and realistic, with plenty of car chases, shootouts, and close shaves to keep adrenaline junkies happy.

The performances in the movie are excellent, with Stanley Baker delivering a solid performance as the tough, world-weary spy who still manages to maintain his sense of humor in the face of danger. Geraldine Chaplin is also impressive as Radmilla, the woman who helps John at a crucial moment, and who provides a few moments of comic relief amidst the tension.

Donald Pleasence, in the role of a Soviet spymaster, is suitably cold and calculating, and makes for a memorable villain. He is also responsible for one of the movie's most terrifying scenes, in which he calmly tortures John with a cigarette lighter, all the while chatting casually about the weather.

The movie's direction is also worthy of praise, with Peter Collinson managing to keep the story moving at a brisk pace without sacrificing character development or suspense. He also makes full use of the locations, taking viewers on a tour of Athens and Budapest, and using the cities to add to the movie's atmosphere of international intrigue.

Innocent Bystanders also benefits from a memorable score by composer Roy Budd, who provides a mix of jazz-infused action themes and haunting ballads that help to give the movie its distinctive character.

Overall, Innocent Bystanders is a highly entertaining spy movie that stands the test of time. Its compelling plot, strong performances, and thrilling action scenes make it a must-watch for fans of the genre, and a great way to spend a couple of hours in front of the screen.

Innocent Bystanders is a 1973 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 51 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.8.