Review of The Human Factor

I am not sure what attracted actors of the calibre of Nicol Williamson, Derek Jacobi and Richard Attenborough to star in this film apart from I suppose, that it was directed by Otto Preminger. It is a very low key film with no action and no suspense. The story is about a double agent working inside the British Secret Service and attempts by Richard Attenborough and others to find out who it is. Nicol Williamson's character Maurice who works for British Intelligence, is very polite and well mannered throughout proceedings and shows little, if any emotion to events. Richard Attenborough as Col. Daintry appears easily bullied by everyone, even his ex-wife who throws a wobbly at him after he breaks one of her ceramic owls. Poor old Derek Jacobi is bumped off in error by Robert Morley who plays Dr.Percival because he and the boss of the Secret Service think that he is the double agent. A huge collection of British character actors keep popping up throughout the film including John Gielgud who makes a brief appearance at the start of the movie but is not seen again. I thought the opening music was strange with two Spanish guitars twanging away conjuring up visions of haciendas and bullfights. Overall, I thought this a very odd movie but am glad to have watched it.