Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- tense
- paranoid
- procedural
- classic thriller night
- retro action marathon
What critics said
Critics generally regarded Telefon as sleek but routine escapism, with an inventive premise weakened by predictable plotting, excessive exposition, and thin characterization.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The TELEFON network consists of American-identified agents brainwashed to destroy military installations when given a command phrase.
Seemingly ordinary Americans become destructive agents, making social normality itself a source of Cold War suspicion.
KGB officer Grigori Borzov is sent to the United States to stop a rogue Soviet operation and preserve East-West stability.
Dalchimsky is pursued because he may have stolen the book listing TELEFON agents.
Films like Telefon, and why
The Manchurian Candidate
cold war espionage, paranoia, brainwashing, and international sabotage
The Spy Who Came in from the Cold
stylized spy suspense, geopolitical conspiracy, and explosive action
The Osterman Weekend
1970s espionage adventure, cross-border pursuit, and hard-edged action
Movie Details
- Director
- Don Siegel
- Release Date
- 1977-12-16
- Runtime
- 102 min
- Rating
- 6.6 / 10 (136)
Cast
- Charles Bronson
- Lee Remick
- Donald Pleasence
- Tyne Daly
- Alan Badel
- Patrick Magee
- Sheree North
- Roy Jenson
- John Mitchum
- Jacqueline Scott
Common questions
- What is Telefon about?
- A KGB officer races across America to stop brainwashed sleeper agents from turning a Cold War contingency into catastrophe.
- What is Telefon like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Telefon as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Telefon violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Telefon as moderate.
- What did critics think of Telefon?
- Critics generally regarded Telefon as sleek but routine escapism, with an inventive premise weakened by predictable plotting, excessive exposition, and thin characterization.
- Which films are like Telefon?
- Films with a similar feel include The Manchurian Candidate, The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, and The Osterman Weekend.
- How long is Telefon?
- Telefon runs 102 minutes.
