Charlie Muffin is a 1979 made-for-TV film based on the novel Charlie M by Brian Freemantle. In the U.S., the picture was later re-released under the title A Deadly Game.
A Euston Films production, the movie features David Hemmings, Sir Ralph Richardson, Sam Wanamaker, Pinkas Braun, Ian Richardson, Shane Rimmer and Jennie Linden and was directed by Jack Gold.
Plot
This Cold War espionage thriller follows the story of British anti-hero spy Charlie Muffin (Hemmings), who has fallen on hard times since the forced retirement of Sir Archibald Willoughby, his previous boss at the U.K. secret service (Sir Ralph Richardson). His new boss, Sir Henry Cuthbertson (Ian Richardson), who epitomises the haughty upper class British imperialist, hardly attempts to conceal his disdain for the under-educated agent who quite obviously does not stem from the "right class". At the start of the film, it is established that Charlie has been deemed expendable and accordingly gets set up to be caught or killed during a joint mission in East Germany—despite having been responsible for the mission's success. Cuthbertson's lap-dog agents Snare and Harrison—both totally lacking in experience and as arrogant as their boss—are shocked and embarrassed to see Muffin returning alive and well.
Back in the UK, Muffin's humiliation does not end, as he is demoted and put on leave, which he spends with his wife Edith (Linden), after an affair with the secretary-receptionist.
Next, the story unfolds around British and American attempts to facilitate a safe defection of high-ranking Soviet General Valery Kalenin (Braun). Director of Central Intelligence Garson Ruttgers (Wanamaker) proves not much smarter and ultimately equally officious and presumptuous as his British counterpart. After Harrison and Snare's spectacular downfalls (one ends up dead trying to escape and the other captured), Ruttgers' aide Braley (Rimmer), a good-hearted but docile sideshow official, is assigned to join Muffin on a trip to Prague, to liaise with Kalenin.
Cast
- David Hemmings—Charlie Muffin
- Sam Wanamaker—Garson Ruttgers
- Jennie Linden—Edith
- Pinkas Braun—General Valery Kalenin
- Ian Richardson—Sir Henry Cuthbertson
- Rohan McCullough—Janet
- Sir Ralph Richardson—Sir Archibald Willoughby
- Shane Rimmer—William Braley
- Tony Mathews—Harrison
- Christopher Godwin—Snare
- Clive Revill—Alexei Berenkov
- Donald Churchill—Wilberforce
- Reinhold Olszewski—General Kastanazy
- Frederick Treves—Colonel Wilcox
- Elspeth March—Mrs. Heiderman
- Olaf Pooley—Soviet First Secretary
- David Daker—Bolton