Very rarely seen, auteur Melville creates a accurate and very realistic depiction of espionage in WWII - clumsy assassinations, bleak environments and a world where no-one can be trusted. Unnerving and very worth the effort. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

DePalma's first reminded us of classic Euro-spies at a time when super-Bond was at his biggest - RECOMMENDED! Woo's second adopted the super-spy syndrome, beating the overblown Bond at his own game - RENT IT! Abrams' third ended on a very high-note, combining the best of classic and modern for a pop-spy masterpiece - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

The restart of the Bond franchise is a near-perfect adaptation of the original novella, b*tch and all. Brutally charming, Craig perfectly captures Fleming's rugged spy with a drinking problem. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Frankenheimer returns with a film of disavowed spies, set apart by its brilliant car chases and a David Mamet script that only falters in the third act. In true-to-life fashion, it's one of the few films to ignore characterizing its 'deep-cover' agents. RECOMMENDED!

The book that put Le Carre on the spy map, this faithful adaptation is a true masterpiece of realistic espionage fiction. Burton is brilliant as the washed-out spy, sent once more into the field for a cunning game of double-crosses. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

SCHWARZENNEGER is... James Bond! Or close enough. RECOMMENDED!

Tony Scott's quickfire style adds an involving and original entry to the genre. Worldly locations paint a thrilling picture, while veteran Redford once again redefines his spy role. RECOMMENDED!

Besson returns to the world that made him famous, scripting and producing this highly derivative but deliciously entertaining thriller that's equal parts "Bourne" and "Death Wish". RECOMMENDED!

Barris' fictional autobiography balances spy thriller and black humor, with many of the genre's trappings: Eastern European locales, femme fatales and grimy direction. Add a great script with decent performances and you've got a nice homage. RECOMMENDED!

Connery as an incarcerated British spy released to save the world - sound familiar? Surprisingly clever for a popcorn flick, Michael Bay's addition to the spy genre comes in this assault of action and espionage. RECOMMENDED!

An eagerly anticipated sequel that disappointed based on its derivative nature and lack of any "Bond" dynamics. Borrowing Bourne is one thing, flat-out stealing is another. Here's hoping a return to form in part three. RENT IT!

An involving and fancifully-directed film about Carlos the Jackal, mixing both fact and fiction. Quinn piles on the cheese in the dual roles, but the veteran chops of Kingsley and Sutherland barely save it from disaster. RENT IT!

Caine challenges Connery as the working-class Bond, flipping the 007 formula. Unfortunately, some aspects of it's tale of a downtrodden agent haven't aged well, with 60s psychedelia sticking out amongst its realistic feel. But still, essential viewing for spy genre context. Sequels: "Funeral in Berlin" and "Billion Dollar Brain". RECOMMENDED!

Brosnan again playing a spy, this time to much more audience-friendly effect. An aging assassin befriends a bereaving businessman - much better than it sounds. RECOMMENDED!

Although dated, Hitchcock's film has brilliant characterization, a nail-biting plot ((Woo's MI2 stole the plot from this film) and Grant at his sleazy best. RECOMMENDED!

The quintessential spy spoofs - Myer's loving tribute to his favorite 60s spy flicks has everything a fan of the genre needs. The first is a classic, second is gross-out funny while Caine & Cruise barely save the third. RECOMMENDED!

Another Le Carre novel-turned-film - haven't seen it.

George Segal as a coldwar spy against neo-Nazi's - haven't seen it.

Originally titled The Serpent, realist coldwar spy flick - haven't seen it.

Caine and Brosnan in this cold war spy flick - haven't seen it.