Watch Three Days of the Condor

In the midst of the Cold War, Three Days of the Condor offers a thrilling tale of espionage, paranoia, and government corruption. The film, released in 1975, stars Robert Redford as Joe Turner, a low-level CIA researcher who stumbles upon a massive conspiracy within his own agency. Faye Dunaway plays Kathy Hale, a photographer who unwittingly gets tangled up in Turner's dangerous game, while Cliff Robertson plays Higgins, one of Turner's superiors who may or may not be involved in the plot against him.

The film opens with Turner returning from lunch one day to find all of his colleagues dead in the CIA's New York City headquarters. Fearing for his own life, he goes on the run, using his wits and intelligence to try to stay ahead of his pursuers while he tries to figure out who is behind the killings and what their ultimate goal might be. Along the way, he's forced to trust only a handful of people, including Hale, with whom he strikes up a romantic connection, and Joubert, a mysterious assassin played by Max von Sydow.

As Turner delves deeper into the conspiracy, he quickly realizes that his own government may be actively working against him. At one point, he seeks out Higgins for help, only to be met with suspicion and hostility. As the clock ticks down towards a final showdown, Turner must use his ingenuity and resourcefulness to uncover the truth and bring the perpetrators to justice, all while staying one step ahead of those who would do him harm.

One of the hallmarks of Three Days of the Condor is its tense, claustrophobic atmosphere. Director Sydney Pollack crafts a world in which Turner can never truly let his guard down, as danger lurks around every corner. The film also features intelligent, layered writing from Lorenzo Semple Jr. and David Rayfiel, which draws on real-life political events of the era and keeps viewers guessing until the very end.

Perhaps the film's most enduring legacy, however, is the performance of Redford in the lead role. The actor, then at the height of his powers, brings an intensity and gravitas to the part of Turner, imbuing the character with a sense of vulnerability and intelligence that makes him all the more relatable. Meanwhile, Dunaway is a delight as Kathy, providing levity and romance amidst the film's darker themes.

In all, Three Days of the Condor is a classic example of 1970s political thriller cinema. It's taut, suspenseful, and highly entertaining, with a talented cast and crew working at the top of their game. Whether you're a fan of Redford, Dunaway, or simply enjoy a good spy story, this is a film that's well worth your time.

Three Days of the Condor is a 1975 thriller with a runtime of 1 hour and 58 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.4 and a MetaScore of 63.