Product Details

• Actors: Michael Caine, Anthony Andrews, Victoria Tennant, Lilli Palmer, Mario Adorf
• Directors: John Frankenheimer
• Writers: Edward Anhalt, George Axelrod, John Hopkins, Robert Ludlum
• Producers: Edie Landau, Ely A. Landau, Mort Abrahams
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Language: English, German
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
• VHS Release Date: September 1, 1998
• Run Time: 112 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 2.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6302658594
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #367,536 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The 1980s weren't too kind to John Frankenheimer, but this film stands out as a top-notch spy thriller. A Nazi pact to steal a fortune from the Third Reich to aid Holocaust survivors results in a bizarre inheritance 40 years later, with architect Michael Caine having to come to terms with his father's past and the terrifying prospects of a Fourth Reich. The whole thing becomes a metaphor for a witches' covenant. It's exciting and well-paced and full of precious little moments (though Caine and Victoria Tennant fall short of being interesting characters). Supporting actors Mario Adorf, Michael Lonsdale, and Bernard Hepton really shine. The film was based on Robert Ludlum's bestseller and coscripted by George Axelrod (The Manchurian Candidate). --Bill Desowitz

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Crappy DVD Transfer, May 1, 2005

By 

Gregory Mast (San Jose, CA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Holcroft Covenant (DVD)

OK, so I wasn't really paying attention when I pre-ordered this movie. I was surprised when I checked the invoice and noticed that the movie cost about 5 USD. However, it is fair to say that even at five dollars this DVD is grossly overpriced.

Why? Because this looks like the worst kind of 4th generation bootleg VHS transfer. The video is crap and the audio is worse. This is, without a doubt, the worst DVD in my library (and it won't be there long). I actually checked the packaging to see if in fact this was a studio release.

If you are an afficianado of Mexican bootleg DVD's then this is for you. Otherwise, ZERO STARS .(...)

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enlightening and Relevant to Today, March 20, 2005

By 

MediaCritic (LA Burbs) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Holcroft Covenant (DVD)

Michael Caine always can anchor a spy flick, and this is no exception. While the plot is a trifle flat, and a couple of the supporting actors (Victoria Tennent) are stretched beyond their abilities, the cinemagraphic techniques and direction by John Frankenheimer are superb. Several elements, particularly the outdoor angles from crowded streets and the icy violin sound effects echo back to the great spy movies of the post-war era and lend an almost Hitchcock-esque eeriness to the film. And when the climax finally reveals the implications of the plot, even the dense can see the relevance to comtemporary events.

Hard to believe this timely film is nearly 20 years old.

19 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars For Caine and Frankenheimer fans ONLY, June 16, 2000

By 

Harvey Pekar (Rocky River, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Holcroft Covenant (DVD)

The Holcraft Covenant is nothing more than your average 80's thriller that has the benefit of having a top-notch leading man and director attached. The picture looks excellent and there is just enough intrigue added to the film's premise to keep the viewer on board the whole way. Frankenheimer displays his trademark visual flair without going over the top(as many were guilty of at the time). The one thing that really detracts from the film is it's obviously low budget and irritating synth score. It is an overall average adaptation of a fairly decent Ludlum thriller that is worth picking up only for the excellent picture quality and commentary by the director. It is a delight to hear Frankenheimer discuss one of the film's most exciting scenes being filmed and constructed around of the absence of a leading man! For Fans of the star and director only.