IMDb RATING
6.3/10
3.3K
YOUR RATING
A British agent's son is kidnapped and held for ransom.A British agent's son is kidnapped and held for ransom.A British agent's son is kidnapped and held for ransom.
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaIn his memoirs, Joss Ackland wrote that he was working on three other movies, as well as playing Wray in this movie.
- GoofsAt the start of the film where the van is blown up on the motorway, it becomes clear that the scene is filmed on an incomplete stretch of motorway (possibly the M3, which was completed in 1974) as lane markings are missing from one carriageway.
- Quotes
Cedric Harper: He knew my name and he knew the name of this department. Both of these things imply serious breaches of security.
- Crazy creditsThe opening credits are formed from images of children's alphabet blocks.
- ConnectionsReferences The Sound of Music (1965)
- SoundtracksUnderneath the Spreading Chestnut Tree
(uncredited)
(trad.)
Featured review
One of Caine's best thrillers
In 1965, Caine created the role of Harry Palmer in the Ipcress File. It was good enough to spawn two follow-ups: Funeral in Berlin and the Billion Dollar Brain. By 1974, the movie-going public was used to seeing him in the role of a secret agent. Here he gets in trouble, and although you know that by the end of the film he will emerge victorious, or will he? I'm not telling. But the excruciating fun is in trying to figure our what will happen next. Filmed in Europe, Black Windmill" is directed by Don Siegel. Clint Eastwood credits Don for his success as a director, and, of course, Siegel also directed some of Clint's best movies. The pacing is even throughout and builds to a suspenseful climax. Let it not be overlooked that Donald Pleasence in a supporting role is at his usual best. The human chameleon that adapts beautifully to whatever role is given him. John Vernon is especially menacing. To me, seeing old movies a second or third time is like visiting with old friends. Everybody has their own "Casablanca" and "Shawshank Redemption." If you haven't seen this one yet, please do. It will become one of your "old friends" which I'm sure you will visit again and again.
helpful•349
- mdlee
- Jul 6, 2006
- How long is The Black Windmill?Powered by Alexa
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $1,500,000 (estimated)
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content