The Sell Out (1976) Richard Widmark, Oliver Reed, Sam Wanamaker

This unusual little spy-vs.-spy-vs.-agency thriller is satisfactorily entertaining, thanks in large part to Richard Widmark's anchoring gravitas and a story that lulls you into a false sense of genre-weariness, then steps on the gas with some exciting turns-of-plot that pay unexpected dividends on your investment of time... and speaking of time, the Warner Archive release of 'The Sell-Out' (1976)-- an Israeli-Italian-British co-production that suffers often from its amateurish production values, including a score better suited to 'Shaft' than something trying to appeal to the international-espionage market-- features the full 101-minute version of the film rather than the 88 minutes described in Amazon's specs listed above (likely referring to the edited-for-television cut that has been circulating in the public domain for years). Anamorphic-widescreen picture is sharp, though apparently not restored (there are a couple sizeable tears in the source print), colors are vivid and sound is consistently clear, which has been known to be a problem with these no-frills, made-on-demand DVD-Rs. Movie rates 3-plus stars, presentation/price 3 stars.

***1/2 1976. Israeli co-production directed by Peter Collinson. The CIA and the KGB decide to eliminate Gabriel Lee, a spy currently working for the Russians. Lee finds refuge at Sam Lucas's home. Sam is a former CIA agent who retired a few years before. If you like spy thrillers on location, check this one. The film is not a masterpiece but is still watchable although the copy presented by Westgate is far from being perfect (VHS quality, no more). In fact, I really appreciate the mood of the American spy thrillers of the late 60's and the 70's. There are always car chases and explosions with a cool jazz-pop musical score easily recognizable. I also liked, in the SELL OUT, the streets of the old Jerusalem (empty most of the time because of the shooting) and the performance of Oliver Reed. Recommended.

I was a little dissappointed in this flick, Widmard playes a weak role in the story plot, and looks like he was just doing the movie for the money, his heart was not in it.

. . . featuring a laughable score (Car chase? cue Boom-chukka wow chukka guitar! Tender moment? cue windchimes!), fuzzy picture quality ("VHS quality"? not hardly - I still have VHS tapes, this is way below that, more like taped off broadcast TV quality) and not a single likable or interesting character.

The 5 stars is based on the DVD quality not the movie itself.

The picture quality is very poor and sound is very bad as well. I am very disappointed my advice is save your money

boring, except that Oliver Reed was in it.

I viewed the DVD from Miracle Pictures which looks to be complete at 101 min. but is in full screen and low quality. I would avoid this and get the Warner Archive in it's proper OAR.

It's difficult to rate this, as the film itself would get three or four stars, but the DVD only one star - if that. The film seems OK; if you like 70s action type stuff (think the Professionals) then you'll like this, and there's some nice 'Italian Job' type car chases too, this time through the Old City of Jerusalem. The plot is straightforward enough and it's got Richard Widmark in it, which always adds value to any movie, even this.BUT the biggest let-down is the quality of the DVD. The sound is so very poor this might be a pirate copy, recorded off a TV set for all I know. You can get the gist of what's going on, but there are many bits you just have to guess at. I'm also suspicious of the cover picture which I believe is from 'Madigan' and nothing to do with this movie. Well I got my money back on it, but couldn't advise buying this DVD until they release a decent quality version, and for anyone wanting to build up a library of Widmark's films, that's a shame.

Almost unwatchable due to properly the worst transfer I have ever seen.Shame because the movie is not all bad...great cast Widmark,Hunnicut,Wanamaker & the late great Oliver Reed in a 1970s spy yarn.Get a decent copy out there....& people will buy this......but not this version...truely awful.

For anyone of a certain age ,this is a definite must.Dated thriller gives the viewer a black and white story of double-dealing between spies in a Cold War setting.Bravo!

good thriller with many twists and turns. I bought this film in regions 2 but sound was so bad bought region 1 and enjoyed it very much.

If I had read the other review, I would of avoided this dvd. No sound in some parts, picture quality very bad.