The Trouble With Spies

About 'The Trouble With Spies'

'The Trouble with Spies' is a 1987 British comedy movie directed by Burt Kennedy. The film is a quirky espionage comedy that centers around the misadventures of a hapless British spy. Appleton Porter (Donald Sutherland) finds himself on a mission in Greece where he tries to reclaim stolen papers valuable to the British government, but alas, his ineptitude ensures that mishap and mayhem are his constant companions.

Making / Production

The film was directed by Burt Kennedy, who is known for his work in the western genre. The screenplay was written by Michael Harreschou. 'The Trouble with Spies' was filmed primarily in Spain's picturesque landscapes to double up for the rural Greek setting where most of the plot unfolds.

Actors

• Donald Sutherland as Appleton Porter: Sutherland plays the role of the bumbling British spy to hilarious effect. Sutherland brings his unique comedic flair to the role, making Porter endearing despite his many faux pas.
• Luci Bernardi as Lili: Playing the role of an alluring local who Porter becomes enamored with, Bernardi brings a touch of romance to the comedy.
• Ned Beatty as Harry Lewis: Beatty supports as another spy from the British agency, tasked with aiding Porter in his mission - often with comical results.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The Trouble with Spies wasn’t released in theaters until 1987, despite having been completed in 1984. This was due to problems with the production company.
• The film is loosely based on the British television series "Mr. Palfrey of Westminster".

Awards

The movie did not receive any major awards.

Quotes

• "I may be a spy... but I'm a British spy!” – Appleton Porter
• "In our business, the trouble with spies is that you never know who they are until they're not" – Harry Lewis

Music, Soundtrack

• The film score was composed by Ken Thorne, who perfectly incorporated comedic beats into his compositions to heighten the humorous aspect of the film.