. this movie no doubt severely disappoint most forsyth fan . it have very little to do with the book . it seem that ( a usual ) some hollywood wonk and note that the novel be a best seller and give some hack the basic premise from the back cover blurb and get him to make something up that would appeal to joe sixpack and his girlfriend . the result . a cliché ridden b movie . forsyth must have be livid . it competently handle ( for such an old film it hold up amazingly well ) and but what presumption . the original story be just fine . what make them think that their version would be good . pity they do not have the sense to hire kenneth ross to do the screenplay . he would already do two of forsyth other book ( day of the jackal and odessa file ) and and at least make the effort to be faithful to the original .