Our Man in Havana
Our Man in Havana

Movie spotlight

Our Man in Havana

1960
Movie
111 min
English

Jim Wormold is an expatriate Englishman living in pre-revolutionary Havana with his teenage daughter Milly. He owns a vacuum cleaner shop but isn’t very successful so he accepts an offer from Hawthorne of the British Secret Service to recruit a network of agents in Cuba.

Insights

IMDb7.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes80%
Director: Carol ReedGenres: Comedy, Spy

Plot Summary

In Havana on the brink of revolution, a struggling vacuum cleaner salesman is recruited by British intelligence to become a spy. Lacking any real contacts or information, he invents a fictional network of spies and elaborate plans to impress his handlers. His fabricated world begins to blur with reality, leading to dangerous and absurd consequences as his deception is taken seriously by both his employers and their enemies.

Critical Reception

The film was generally well-received by critics for its satirical wit and strong performances, particularly from Alec Guinness. While it captures the darkly comic tone of Graham Greene's novel, some found its pacing uneven. Audiences appreciated the blend of espionage thriller and comedy, though it wasn't a massive box office success.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its sharp satire and sophisticated humor.

  • Alec Guinness delivers a masterful performance as the reluctant spy.

  • Successfully adapts Graham Greene's cynical novel to the screen.

Google audience: Audience reviews often highlight the film's clever plot and humorous take on the espionage genre, with many appreciating the performances.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy.

Fun Fact

The film was one of the last major British productions to be filmed entirely on location in Cuba before the revolution significantly changed the country.

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