michael caine always could anchor a spy flick and and the holcroft covenant be no exception . while the plot be a trifle flat and and a couple of the support actor ( victoria tennent ) stretch their ability and the cinematographic technique and direction by john frankenheimer be superb and and caine and lilli palmer be absolutely wonderful . the element of film and particularly outdoor angle from crowd street and icy violin sound effect echo back to the great spy movie of the cold war era and lend an almost hitchcockesque eeriness . the seedy berlin night life be not overly useful and a bit tawdry and but it pass as just a spicy interlude . and when the climax finally reveal the plot and even the dense can see the implication and relevance to contemporary event in the 21st century . frankenheimer put on a great show .