I would like to see a remastered version of Secret Agent. The versions I have seen (tv, VHS and DVD) have all been murky and hard to hear. Despite the creakiness of the film, it is a pleasure to see John Gielgud as he must have looked in his theater star days. I enjoyed him most in his scenes of repartee with Peter Lorre and with Madeleine Carroll. He conveys his growing affection for Carroll slowly and subtly, and I like the way he befriends Lorre yet manages to make it clear that he doesn't approve of him. However, I'm less impressed with the rest of the cast. Madeleine Carroll's performance overall is average and I find it hard to distinguish her from other 30s leading ladies. Peter Lorre always is worth seeing, but here a little of his off-the-wall performance goes a long way. It's interesting to see Robert Young as a young man and as a suspicious character. However, his portrayal is too bland to stand out much. Still, all in all, Secret Agent is well worth seeing. I suggest watching the hotel scenes between Gielgud and Carroll more than once--Gielgud really tosses off some witty dialogue and delightful bits of business in those scenes.
Review of Secret Agent
