Movie spotlight
Red Star Over Khyber
Correspondent Richard Reeves reports on the ongoing struggle of the Afghan Muslim resistance against the Soviet-backed government of Afghanistan. Examines Pakistan's role as a haven for Afghan guerrillas and refugees and as a conduit for arms supplied to the guerrillas by the U.S. and Saudi Arabia.
Insights
Plot Summary
A spoof of Cold War spy thrillers, the film follows a bumbling British agent sent to infiltrate a Soviet base hidden in the Afghan mountains. He gets entangled in a web of espionage, double agents, and absurd situations as he tries to prevent the Soviets from developing a doomsday weapon. The agent's incompetence often inadvertently leads him closer to success.
Critical Reception
Red Star Over Khyber received mixed to positive reviews, with critics often praising its witty script and the performances of its veteran cast. While some found the spy parody formula a bit dated, many appreciated its lighthearted approach and British sense of humor. It's considered a solid, if not groundbreaking, entry in the genre.
What Reviewers Say
A charmingly old-fashioned spy spoof with a strong ensemble cast.
Relies heavily on British wit and understated comedic performances.
Pokes fun at the conventions of spy thrillers with gentle absurdity.
Google audience: Audience reception is not readily available or consistently tracked for this film on Google.
Fun Fact
Despite being released in 1984, the film was actually filmed in 1977 and experienced significant distribution delays.
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