Step back into the real, dour and chilling world of spies and counterspies. Alec Leamas (Richard Burton) is a burnt-out British agent who refuses to 'come in from the cold' to take a desk job - but instead launches into the most dangerous assignment of his career, stalking East German agent, Fiedler (Oskar Werner). John Le Carre's best-selling novel provides the basis for this breathtaking thriller of espionage, intrigue, crosses and double crosses. First-rate performances from the entire cast are matched by a tension-packed and brilliantly-plotted screenplay, with masterful direction from Martin Ritt