A top political thriller directed by Sidney Pollack is 1975’s Three Days of the Condor. The plot unfolds following a CIA investigator, Joseph Turner, played by Robert Redford, who finds himself in the crosshairs after his entire office is assassinated. As Turner tries to uncover the truth behind the events, he becomes entangled in a web of conspiracy and deception.

While Three Days of the Condor is widely regarded as a classic thriller, a critical approach can shed light on certain aspects, such as its portrayal of the CIA and the US government. The film presents a rather pessimistic view of these institutions. It suggests that they are willing to go to extremes, including the murder of their own agents, to protect their interests and maintain their power. This cynical portrayal reinforces the idea of a shadowy, unaccountable government agency that is more interested in self-preservation than the well-being of the citizens of the country it is supposed to serve.

Despite the years that have passed, “Three Days of the Condor” remains an important film and retains its freshness, depicting a different era and a specific social context in which the characters-heroes acted.

Starring Robert Redford, Faye Dunaway, Max von Sydow, Cliff Robertson, Don McHenry, Dino Narizzano.