The Jigsaw Man

Philip Kimberley, once the driving force behind Britain's secret service, defects to the Soviet side as the Cold War tightens its grip. A covert relocation and a clever ruse save him from exposure, and he is given a new face through plastic surgery to ensure his cover holds. Slipping back into Britain, his mission should be simple: recover a batch of top secret documents that could tilt the balance of power. But once the documents are in his hands, Kimberley toys with both MI6 and the KGB, letting the competing factions chase their own shadows. The operation quickly spirals into a dangerous cat and mouse game, where trust evaporates, loyalties warp, and every ally could be an enemy in disguise.

Directed by Terence Young and written by Jo Eisinger and Dorothea Bennett, The Jigsaw Man arrived in 1983 as a sleek espionage thriller. It features Michael Caine in a dual identity with Laurence Olivier portraying a wary high ranking officer.

Box office data for The Jigsaw Man is not widely documented, and the film did not become a major global hit. It remains a relatively obscure entry in the 1980s spy thriller landscape, known mainly to devoted fans and collectors.

Reception centers on performance and mood rather than over the top twists. Critics note the film leans into Cold War paranoia and the moral ambiguity of recruitment and deception, with Caine delivering a controlled evasive turn and Olivier providing gravity. The plot probes identity under pressure and keeps audiences guessing.

Awards: There is little record of major nominations for The Jigsaw Man. While the cast brings star power, the film did not become a staple of award season discussions, and it has faded from the memory of mainstream cinema, remembered mainly by fans of vintage espionage thrillers and critics alike.