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The Trouble with Spies
Directed byBurt Kennedy
Written byBurt Kennedy
Based onApple Spy in the Sky
by Marc Lovell
StarringDonald Sutherland
Ned Beatty
Ruth Gordon
Lucy Gutteridge
Michael Hordern
Robert Morley
CinematographyAlex Phillips Jr.
Edited byWarner E. Leighton
Music byKen Thorne
Production
company
Distributed byDe Laurentiis Entertainment Group
Release date
December 4, 1987
Running time
91 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$6 million[1]
Box office$205,507

The Trouble with Spies is a 1987 film written and directed by Burt Kennedy. A spy spoof comedy, it stars Donald Sutherland and Ned Beatty.[2]

The film was shot in 1984, but not released until three years later.[1] It features veteran actress Ruth Gordon's final performances. It was also the final film of Suzanne Danielle.

Plot

When secret agent George Trent goes missing, spy agency chief Angus sends inept colleague Appleton Porter to the isle of Ibiza to find out why.

Appleton meets a number of guests in Mona Lewis's hotel who were familiar with Trent, but none has a clue what became of him. Appleton himself is totally clueless, nearly being killed a number of times but surviving mainly due to pure dumb luck.

Cast

Production

The film was financed entirely by Home Box Office, the first production of the pay cable channel’s new theatrical motion picture division.[1] the film, initially titled Trouble at the Royal Rose, was greenlit in the Spring of 1983 and the film had a $6-million budget.[1]

Michael Caine was initially offered $1 million to play the role of Appleton Porter However, Caine turned down the role and actor Donald Sutherland took the part instead.[1]

Home media

After limited theatrical release HBO Video issued The Trouble With Spies UPC 0026359002830 ISBN 1-55803-0255 on VHS, in 1993. It was released on streaming, but not DVD or Blu-ray.[3]

The poster illustration depicts a Volkswagen Beetle with convertible top yet the film only features the Citroën 2CV.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "The Trouble With Spys [sic]". catalog.afi.com. Retrieved 2023-01-01.
  2. ^ "The Trouble with Spies (1987) - Burt Kennedy - Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related - AllMovie". AllMovie.
  3. ^ "The Trouble With Spies (HBO)". Max. 1987. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
  4. ^ "The Trouble With Spies - VW Beetle Cabriolet USA 1987". Drivepast Original Movie Posters. Retrieved 6 November 2023.

External links


Films directed by Burt Kennedy
Categories