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Poster for Eye of the Needle

Eye of the Needle

Seen it?

1981 | 108 min | Drama, Thriller

Sunday Safe Bet

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

It earned strong reviews (85% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had soft box office. A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for anyone who likes to be kept guessing. If you loved The Zone of Interest or The Guns of Navarone, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Tense.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 48 min.
What might put you off
Rated R: meant for adults.

Great Britain, 1944, during World War II. Relentlessly pursued by several MI5 agents, Henry Faber the Needle, a ruthless German spy in possession of vital information about D-Day, takes refuge on Storm Island, an inhospitable, sparsely inhabited island off the coast of northern Scotland.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsStrong

    85% on Rotten Tomatoes, 61 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesSolid

    6.7 out of 10

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Box office & staying powerBelow par

    $18 million worldwide

  • Buzz & cultural impactSolid

    About 78K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Richard Marquand

  • Donald SutherlandFaber
  • Kate NelliganLucy
  • Ian BannenGodliman
  • Christopher CazenoveDavid
  • Faith BrookLucy's Mother
  • Barbara EwingMrs. Garden
  • David HaymanCanter
  • Alex McCrindleTom
  • Philip Martin BrownBilly Parkin
  • Stephen MacKennaLieutenant