Three Days of the Condor Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Bookworm goes out for lunch, accidentally becomes hunted, kidnaps Faye Dunaway, and maybe reveals a conspiracy, but probably just gets a really awkward first date.

🍿 Three Days of the Condor: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Massacre at the American Literary Historical Society

Joe Turner, codenamed “Condor,” works for a clandestine CIA section disguised as the American Literary Historical Society. Their job is to analyze published works for potential security threats or intelligence opportunities. One day, Turner returns from lunch to discover his entire office staff has been brutally murdered. This sets off a chain of events that throws his life into chaos.

On the Run

With no one to trust, Turner contacts his superiors, but quickly realizes he’s being set up. He goes on the run, becoming a target of his own agency. Desperate, he kidnaps a woman named Kathy Hale, seeking a safe place and someone to trust. Kathy, initially terrified, slowly begins to believe Turner’s story as she witnesses the danger he’s in.

Unraveling the Conspiracy

Turner and Kathy work together to uncover the truth behind the massacre. They discover a connection to a report Turner submitted about a possible covert operation related to oil interests in the Middle East. This leads them to believe a rogue element within the CIA is responsible for the murders.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Turner (Robert Redford): A CIA researcher, codenamed Condor, who must survive after his colleagues are murdered and he uncovers a dangerous conspiracy.
• Kathy (Faye Dunaway): A young photographer who is kidnapped by Turner but becomes his reluctant ally and confidante.
• Higgins (Cliff Robertson): A high-ranking CIA official who becomes entangled in the conspiracy and has a complex relationship with Turner.
• Joubert (Max von Sydow): A sophisticated and highly skilled freelance assassin who is hired to eliminate Turner and becomes a chilling presence.
• Atwood (Addison Powell): A high-level CIA supervisor who orchestrated the murders to protect a covert operation.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Joubert: “Killing is my business. Life is yours.” – Joubert explains his detached, professional approach to assassination to Turner.
• Joubert: “It is simpler to accept that one kills for money.” – Joubert expresses his pragmatic view on his profession, devoid of moral conflict.
• Higgins: “You fool. You’ve done more harm than you know.” – Higgins warns Turner about the potential consequences of revealing CIA secrets.
• Higgins: “How do you know they’ll publish?” – Higgins’s chilling question casts doubt on Turner’s hope of exposing the truth.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $20,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $27,476,252
• Worldwide Gross: $27,476,252

💥 Three Days of the Condor Reviews

Personal Review

I really enjoyed watching this movie for the first time after all these years. Redford’s portrayal of a normal guy thrown into extraordinary circumstances felt so real. That scene where he discovers his colleagues…chilling. Faye Dunaway added an unexpected layer, I wasn’t sure if I can buy their romantic subplot but it grew on me. And Max von Sydow? Absolutely magnetic. I think the movie’s ending left me wanting more. I am a fan!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic spy thrillers”
  • “Viewers interested in political intrigue”
  • “Those who enjoy Robert Redford and Faye Dunaway’s performances”
  • “People interested in films reflecting 1970s paranoia”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Brief nudity”
  • “Some strong language”
  • “Kidnapping”

Professional Reviews

• The Hollywood Reporter: “A classic spy thriller with a bit of a twist. Robert Redford stars as Joseph Turner a ‘reader’ for the CIA who finds himself on the run after everyone in his office is assassinated. This movie provides action and excitement coupled with a strong plot and solid characters.
• The Wrap: “A cold, rainy day in New York City…one employee (Robert Redford), is assigned to pick up sandwiches…and returns to face the carnage. The tension never lets up in this grim, exciting tale, as Turner discovers he can trust no one. The Robert Redford film is the best of the crop, by far!
• The New York Times: “This film was very effective in maintaining the tension not only of the Condor’s life and death mission to discover the reasons for the massacre of his colleagues but also the relationship between him and Kathy. The entire film had an aura of authenticity that had me entirely engrossed. Recommended.

Audience Reactions

The plot provides action and excitement coupled with strong plot and solid characters.: The action and intensity, gripping storyline, and stellar performances make this a timeless classic.

Some say that the story touches on Big Brother and the threat that a secret government entity lived and breathed within the CIA: A suspenseful and realistic spy thriller where intelligence and wit are the primary weapons.

Overall Consensus: Three Days of the Condor is praised for its suspenseful plot, excellent acting, and realistic portrayal of espionage, making it a must-watch classic.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Former CIA director Richard Helms acted as a personal consultant to Robert Redford for his role as the Condor, advising on authenticity and realism.”
• “Sydney Pollack, the director, was heavily influenced by Alfred Hitchcock and aimed to create a similar sense of suspense and paranoia in the film.”

🖥️ How to Watch Three Days of the Condor?

Three Days of the Condor is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play. Check your local listings for streaming options. Unfortunately, there are no streaming services currently offering this film with a subscription.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Three Days of the Condor, you might like these similar films:

• The Parallax View (1974): Shares a theme of political conspiracy and paranoia, exploring the dark side of government power.
• All the President’s Men (1976): Another Robert Redford classic, focusing on investigative journalism and uncovering government corruption.
• Marathon Man (1976): Similar 1970s paranoid thriller with a protagonist caught up in a deadly conspiracy.
• Enemy of the State (1998): Modern thriller about a man on the run from the government after being framed for a crime he didn’t commit.
• Syriana (2005): A complex political thriller dealing with the oil industry, CIA covert operations, and global power struggles.

🛒 Three Days of the Condor Related Products

• Three Days of the Condor [Blu-ray]: Own a piece of cinematic history with the Blu-ray edition, offering enhanced picture and sound quality for a fully immersive experience. A must-have for collectors and film enthusiasts alike.
• Conspiracy Theory [Blu-ray]: Another spy and conspiracy thriller also starring a main protagonist fighting ‘the system’.
• Three Days of the Condor Movie Poster: Vintage poster captures the essence of the film with its iconic imagery and tagline. Perfect for decorating a home theater or office space with a touch of classic cinema.
• Espionage Board Game: Engage in a game of strategic deception and intrigue, inspired by the themes and characters of ‘Three Days of the Condor.’ Outwit your opponents and uncover hidden conspiracies in this thrilling tabletop experience.

🎧 Soundtrack

Three Days of the Condor features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “I’ve Got You Where I Want You” – performed by James Gilstrap
• “Condor!” – performed by Dave Grusin

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

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