Main Cast: Julie Andrews, Omar Sharif, Anthony Quayle, Dan O'Herlihy, Sylvia Syms
Release Year: 1974
Country: UK
Run Time: 130 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG
Plot
Blake Edwards's stylish direction bolsters this Cold War romance starring Julie Andrews and Omar Sharif. Andrews plays Judith Farrow, a British civil service functionary who meets dashing Russian agent Feodor Sverdlov (Omar Sharif) under the romantic skies of the Caribbean. The Caribbean breezes work their magic and soon Judith is head-over-heels in love with Feodor. Feodor then tries to enlist Judith to become an agent for the Soviet Union. But after Judith is warned by the British government to stay away from him, Feodor decides that he'd rather have her than the Soviet Union. However, a kink is thrown into their love affair when an undercover Russian secret agent, posing as a British agent, decides to eradicate the two lovers. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
Review
The Tamarind Seed has all the ingredients of a first rate spy thriller. It also has all the ingredients of a first rate romance. Yet somehow when it combines these ingredients, the result is considerably less than first rate. Pinpointing the exact problem is rather difficult. Clearly, the film is too long and drags considerably, but why this is the case is hard to say. The blame must certainly rest with Blake Edwards, as he both wrote and directed it. Yet aside from the pacing, his direction is sleek and stylish and appropriate for the material. And while the screenplay may not win any awards, it has the requisite complicated plot, potentially exciting elements and "kiss panel" moments. Yet it never quite jells. Whatever the problems, he's well served by his stars. Omar Sharif is charming and charismatic, and Julie Andrews certainly knows how to play a reserved, somewhat lonely woman with secret passions inside, and both are believable as they try to avoid falling in love (for good reasons). The movie also looks good, and contains some lovely Dior outfits. Now if it only had that vital spark that it so desperately needs. . . ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
Oscar Homolka - Gen Golitsyn; Celia Bannerman - Rachel Patterson; David Baron - Richard Paterson; Roger Dann - Col. Moreau; Constantin de Goguel - Dmitri Memenov; Sharon Duce - Sandy Mitchell; Janet Henfrey - Embassy Section Head; Alexei Jawdokimov - Igor Kalinin; Bryan Marshall - George McLeod; George Mikell - Maj. Stukalov; Kate O'Mara - Anna Skriabina; John Sullivan - KGB Agent; Leslie Crawford - KGB Agent; Terry Plummer
Credit
Harry Pottle - Art Director, Christian Dior - Costume Designer, Blake Edwards - Director, Ernest Walter - Editor, John Barry - Composer (Music Score), John Barry - Songwriter, Don Black - Songwriter, Freddie Young - Cinematographer, Ken Wales - Producer, Blake Edwards - Screenwriter, Evelyn Anthony - Book Author
