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The Pigeon Tunnel

PG-13 Released Oct 20, 2023 1h 34m Documentary TRAILER for List
96% Tomatometer 85 Reviews 69% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
Academy Award-winning documentarian Errol Morris pulls back the curtain on the storied life and career of former British spy David Cornwell -- better known as John le Carré, author of such classic espionage novels as The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and The Constant Gardener. Set against the turbulent backdrop of the Cold War leading into present day, the film spans six decades as le Carré delivers his final and most candid interview, punctuated with rare archival footage and dramatized vignettes. "The Pigeon Tunnel" is a deeply human and engaging exploration of le Carré's extraordinary journey and the paper-thin membrane between fact and fiction.
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Critics Consensus

Enthralling for fans as well as those who've never read one of his bestsellers, The Pigeon Tunnel pulls back the curtain on a master of the espionage thriller.

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Critics Reviews

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Graeme Blundell The Australian This beautifully constructed film finishes with Morris asking one last question. What does the spy novelist see these days when he looks in the mirror? Oct 27, 2023 Full Review Mark Feeney Boston Globe “The Pigeon Tunnel” is mannered, but one could argue that’s fitting. It’s hard to get more mannered than the le Carré prose style and plotting. Rated: 3/4 Oct 27, 2023 Full Review Mick LaSalle San Francisco Chronicle For le Carré fans, “The Pigeon Tunnel” is a must-see, but the film will also be useful to people wanting an introduction to his work. Rated: 3/4 Oct 27, 2023 Full Review Amy Taubin Artforum Odd connections that have made exquisite corpse–like shapes in my memory bank...among the most pleasurable documentaries... Jan 27, 2024 Full Review Alex Heeney Seventh Row As a le Carré fan, I enjoyed it as a curio, but le Carré is cagey about a number of topics which make the film less illuminating than one might hope. Jan 24, 2024 Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Exceptional documentary on John Le Carre but with limits. Rated: A Dec 25, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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David F I love Errol Morris and I love John Le Carré, so I’m biased, but this was a very engrossing documentary about the novelist's biography, told entirely from his perspective. The con-man father looms very large over Le Carré, even larger than his work in espionage for which he is known. It’s a revealing documentary, if not quite an unraveling of the whole man. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 04/28/24 Full Review Russell T Really enjoyable. The documentary intertwines Cornwall’s life with the characters, plots, and themes of his works. A must see for any fan of the author. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/23/24 Full Review Alec B Its a fascinating examination of Le Carre who was extremely perceptive of other people. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/04/24 Full Review Kevin E A little bit on the dry side, but very insightful into a compelling author. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/27/24 Full Review Carol C I've always been a Le Carre fan. This documentary pulls the curtain aside to reveal the complex man behind his fascinating body of work. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/12/23 Full Review Thomas S Enjoyed reliving some of my favorite reads from early 80's. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 11/25/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis Academy Award-winning documentarian Errol Morris pulls back the curtain on the storied life and career of former British spy David Cornwell -- better known as John le Carré, author of such classic espionage novels as The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and The Constant Gardener. Set against the turbulent backdrop of the Cold War leading into present day, the film spans six decades as le Carré delivers his final and most candid interview, punctuated with rare archival footage and dramatized vignettes. "The Pigeon Tunnel" is a deeply human and engaging exploration of le Carré's extraordinary journey and the paper-thin membrane between fact and fiction.
Director
Errol Morris
Producer
Errol Morris, Steven Hathaway, Stephen Cornwell, Dominic Crossley-Holland, Simon Cornwell
Screenwriter
Errol Morris
Distributor
Apple Original Films
Production Co
Storyteller Productions, Hero Squared, 127 Wall, Fourth Floor Productions, The Ink Factory, Apple Original Films, Jago Films
Rating
PG-13 (Brief Language|Some Violence|Smoking)
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 20, 2023, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 20, 2023
Runtime
1h 34m
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