Acting
Tom Courtenay's magnificent haplessness; Romy Schneider's effortless cool.
Writing
Clement and La Frenais' sharp, character-driven dialogue.
Director
Dick Clement
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Released at the tail end of the 60s spy craze, Otley deliberately subverts the Bond fantasy by making its hero a passive, confused nobody.
Romy Schneider reportedly took the role specifically to work in London and escape the intensity of European stardom; her relaxed performance became the film's anchor.
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