Pride and Extreme Prejudice (1989 TV Movie) User Reviews (5)

Cold War spy story

[myriamlenys · 6/10 · 22 September 2022]

A middle-aged spy dreams of beginning a new life with his mistress. Unfortunately the said mistress is a prostitute with years of lying and cheating under her belt. Upon finding out the truth about her feelings, the spy reacts in a most violent way. On both sides of the Iron Curtain, the ripple effects are wide-ranging and unexpected...

"Pride and Extreme Prejudice" is a spy yarn set in a murky, sordid environment where pretty much everybody scr*ws everybody else, in a variety of ways. It's a solid tale with many of the classic ingredients of the Cold War espionage genre : codes, secret rendez-vous, agents penetrating deep in hostile country, friction between various intelligence and counterintelligence agencies, and so on. There are also moments of wit and irony to enjoy. However, for some reason or other "Pride" never takes off and soars ; I'd describe it as workmanlike rather than inspired or thrilling. Perhaps it could have used more psychological depth. Some of the characters have fascinating motivations or backstories, but you hardly get to know them as individuals.

While the movie is not particularly deep, it does contain an implicit recognition of the long-lasting scarring inflicted by war, mainly on the young and innocent. Both the protagonist and his sister suffered deeply as children ; even decades later, their blighted lives are marked by loneliness, rootlessness and sorrow. Behind these two fictional creations stand millions upon millions of real-life victims.

Implausible

[Marlburian · 6/10 · 11 June 2021]

I came across PAEP on YouTube. It started off well enough but became implausible as the two "good guys" moved into East Germany for their rescue bid and were able to find their way around unfamiliar - and hostile - country without problem. Some weak acting from a cast headed by the reliable Brian Dennehy, and Simon Cadell did little to justify his top billing.

Thoroughly enjoyable, a good thriller with humour and heart.

[janty · 9/10 · 8 July 2000]

Forsyth gives us a tried and tested format of the good agent going off the rails, then twists it into a personal rescue mission for chief spy man Sam McCready. A Classic race against time thriller, with excellent acting, a touch of wry humour here and there, and an unexpected twist at the end. Thoroughly enjoyable. A pity we did not get to see more of the inimitable Sam McCready after the run of 'F.F. Presents' finished.

A sad story of a successful agent succumbing to his own failure

[clanciai · 9/10 · 11 January 2023]

There is always some distinct bitterness in Frederick Forsyth's stories, they are extremely well written and intelligent, but there is a deep mistrust in human nature, as the human factor, although making his characters sympathetic, is used against them to bring about their fall. Brian Dennehy is the major character here, a qualified international spy who commits the unpardonable sin in the business to commit a mistake, he is well aware of the blunder he has committed and that he has to pay for it, he actually gives up from the beginning, and he just walks out the whole line with the end of his tether in unwavering sight. It's a sad espionage story, where the human factors invade the spying business to drown it in the inevitability of tragedy. Today these Sam McCready agent thrillers of the Cold War may seem hopelessly outdated, while they remain interesting only because of their human dimensions, which always seem to put all the technical expertise of the espionage business with all its expert machinery in all its finest details to shame. And that is how Frederick Forsyth's extremely clever but bitter stories will survive.

Looking for a different movie?

[deeemon-60019 · 10/10 · 9 October 2022]

I am trying to find a Brian Dennehy movie where here brushes his teeth with a tainted toothbrush and later rips his stomach open. Is this the movie?? I can only vaguely remember the scene and not much of the movie except cows being poisoned by anthrax maybe?

Forgive me but I was very young when I saw it. I have reached out in several places to try and find someone who can name the movie. I am sorry for posting here but I was hoping maybe someone would respond with the correct title.

Devcunn (@) sbcglobal (dot) net.

If anyone could direct me to this movie I would greatly appreciate it. Feel free to email me at the above email. Sorry for posting in here.

You.