JohnHowardReid The other side is the good side in this ingenious thriller which also benefits from an extensive use of real locations. The screenplay, however, is somewhat thin on characterization. The narrative is fleshed out with two plots which only come together via the odd telephone call. Nonetheless, the pace is brisk and there is plenty of boom-boom action.Constant changes of locale also keep our attention focused. All in all, the film is reasonably enjoyable for those of us who don't pay too much attention on the dopey plot and are just along for the ride.The ever-reliable Pat Magree presents us with a brief but enjoyably hammy performance. Badel, however, is reduced to stooging. Donald Pleasense is not presented with many opportunities for fine acting either, even though his role is comparatively large.!

Coventry "Telefon" isn't exactly the most plausible espionage thriller ever made, but it was particularly the far-fetched and flamboyant plot line, along with the acting performances and harsh violence, that kept me glued to the screen. "Telefon" is the codename for an old Soviet war incentive against the US. Years ago, during the peak years of the Cold War, 51 Russian secret agents were strategically placed all over America. They were instructed to build up regular lives, however, reciting a specific piece from Robert Frost's poem "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" triggers some kind of hypnotic effect that turns them into unstoppable kamikaze soldiers with sabotaging assignments. The "Telefon" project got pretty much forgotten during the détente era, but now the dangerously berserk Stalinist Nicolai Dalchimsky single-handedly decide to awake the "sleeper" agents and leave a trail of destruction throughout America. Moscow headquarters' only chance to prevent World War III from happening is to send Major Grigori Borzov, who's loyal as a dog and has a photographic memory, to the US and eliminate Dalchimsky. You got to admit the idea behind "Telefon", which is based on a best-selling novel, is crazy enough to provide 100 minutes of grotesque and exhilarating action. In fact, the action and the extended imaginative sabotaging operations are what matter most here, as the rest of the script is full of ineptness and holes. The film hastily jumps from one wrecking sequence to the next without bothering to explain the background of the "Telefon" project or the motives of the culprit. Donald Pleasance, who portrays the evil Dalchimsky, is terribly underused because the screenplay never once bothers to elaborate on his malignant plans. This could have been a great role for Pleasance, but now it's just another villainous character like he has depicted dozens and dozens already. Charles Bronson is at his best, since he doesn't have to speak any more than absolutely necessary, but nevertheless acts forceful and confident. Don Siegel's direction is surprisingly pedestrian and distant, which isn't normal for him. Still, "Telefon" is good solid Charlie Bronson entertainment with a totally bonkers plot line!

keithmcharles We have heard about the Governments experimenting on Mind Control and super soldiers. Some similarities exit hear only it is from Russia!. The story will grip you as to how some entirely unsuspecting people are used in this manner. Conspriacy Theory is ever so true as today. The movie moves at nice pace and if you are not a spy movie fan, you will find that at times it is slow as real life is sometimes. I've liked this movie from the first time I saw it those many years ago. It has been very hard to find on video/DVD. I recommend that you give this a watch. If you liked "Three Days of Condor" you will enjoy this movie also. Check out you mind and see what you might find!!!

cutterccbaxter This film really isn't that well done, and yet if I happen to flick through the TV channels, and it is on, I find myself getting caught up in it. I guess I like telephone movies. Or better yet, I like movies that don't have cell phones. I know if they remade "Telefon" they would ruin it with cell phones. The key to this movie is that Donald Pleasence does most of his acting in phone booths. A lot of actors of lesser talent might let this restriction hamper their performance, but Pleasence really shines as the bad guy. My favorite DP moment is when we first see him wearing the toupee. I couldn't help but think how clever those Soviet spies were with their disguises. He looks like he is on his way to an Arte Johnson look-alike contest. I'm not sure why he doesn't keep it on through the whole movie. I would have liked to have seen him get strangled while wearing it.