

The Deadly Affair
1967, English. Directed by Sidney Lumet.
From the author of "The Spy Who Came in from the Cold"
Charles Dobbs is a British secret agent investigating the apparent suicide of Foreign Office official Samuel Fennan. Dobbs suspects that Fennan's wife, Elsa, a survivor of a Nazi Germany extermination camp, might have some clues, but other officials want Dobbs to drop the case. So Dobbs hires a retiring inspector, Mendel, to quietly make inquiries. Dobbs isn't at all sure as there are a number of anomalies that simply can't be explained away. Dobbs is also having trouble at home with his errant wife, whom he very much loves, having frequent affairs. He's also pleased to see an old friend, Dieter Frey, who he recruited after the war. With the assistance of a colleague and a retired policeman, Dobbs tries to piece together just who is the spy and who in fact assassinated Fennan.
- Runtime
- 1h 55m
- Post-credits
- None listed
- Language
- English
- Rated
- NR
Start now and it ends at ….
Popcorn Flick
Fun if you don’t overthink it.
6.3/10 from 98 TMDB viewer ratings.
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Where to watch The Deadly Affair
The Deadly Affair isn’t on a subscription OTT platform in India, but you can rent it online.
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Availability in India as of 10 November 2026. Streaming data by JustWatch.
Cast & crew
- Sidney LumetDirector
- James MasonCharles Dobbs
- Simone SignoretElsa Fennan
- Maximilian SchellDieter Frey
- Harriet AnderssonAnn Dobbs
- Harry AndrewsInspector Mendel
- Kenneth HaighBill Appleby
- Roy KinnearAdam Scarr
- Max AdrianMorton - Adviser
- Lynn RedgraveVirgin Bumpus
- Robert FlemyngSamuel Fennan
- Leslie SandsInspector
- Corin RedgraveDavid
Details
- Released
- 26 January 1967
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Written by
- Paul Dehn
Check ratings elsewhere
News & fan talk
What The Deadly Affair is based on
The Deadly Affair is based on Call for the Dead (1961) by John le Carré, published by Gollancz.
1961
Call for the Dead
By John le Carré
Published by Gollancz
Source details from Wikidata and TMDB.
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The Deadly Affair: quick answers
Is The Deadly Affair worth watching?
Our verdict is Popcorn Flick: Fun if you don’t overthink it. It scores 6.3/10 from 98 TMDB viewer ratings.
How long is The Deadly Affair?
The Deadly Affair runs 115 minutes (1h 55m).
Does The Deadly Affair have a post-credits scene?
None is listed for The Deadly Affair. Viewers tag these on TMDB, so a brand-new film may not be tagged yet.
The Deadly Affair parents guide: is it suitable for kids?
The Deadly Affair is rated NR in India. Check the rating guidance before watching with young children.
Which OTT platform is The Deadly Affair on?
The Deadly Affair isn’t on a subscription OTT platform in India, but you can rent it online. (Checked 10 November 2026.)
What movies are like The Deadly Affair?
If you liked The Deadly Affair, try The Ritual Killer, Righteous Kill, Triage.
Who directed The Deadly Affair?
The Deadly Affair (1967) was directed by Sidney Lumet and stars James Mason, Simone Signoret, Maximilian Schell.
What is The Deadly Affair based on?
The Deadly Affair is based on Call for the Dead (1961) by John le Carré, published by Gollancz.