Security officer Charles Dobbs (James Mason) is assigned to investigate a Foreign Office official who is accused, in an anonymous letter, of being a communist. Shortly after an interview with Dobbs the official commits suicide and senior officials want the affair swept under the carpet. Dobbs, however, doesn't believe that the suicide story rings true and with the assistance of retired policeman Inspector Mendel (Harry Andrews) he begins his own investigation and starts to uncover some uncomfortable secrets. The sophisticated and adult script for "The Deadly Affair" is by screenwriter Paul Dehn, who adapts from the novel by John le Carré. His script unwinds at a carefully contrived pace that allows plenty of time for Dobbs' home life and his relationship with his young, adulterous wife Ann (Harriet Andersson) to be explored in addition to the murder mystery. Sidney Lumet's direction is taut and realistic capturing a cold and grim looking London with the assistance of cinematographer Freddie Young. His gloomy and grimy approach to the spy business is as diametrically opposed to then in vogue James Bond as it was possible to get. The acting in the film is first class with James Mason providing a intelligent performance of a man whose life is based around restraint and hidden anger despite the many provocations he faces - both at work and at home. The great Harry Andrews steals every scene he's in, however, as the aging cop with a rod of steel in his back and two-fisted approach to the interrogation of suspects. Quincy Jones provides a great score that alternates between the playful and the emotionally subtle. Overall "The Deadly Affair" is a moody, gloomy, sophisticated spy thriller that is intriguing and tense throughout despite its stately pace. ( )