The peak of popularity of the spy film is often considered to be the 1960s when Cold War fears meshed with a desire by audiences to see exciting and suspenseful films. The espionage film developed in two directions at this time. On the one hand, the realistic spy novels of Len Deighton and John le Carré were adapted into relatively serious Cold War thrillers which dealt with some of the realities of the espionage world. Some of these films included "The Spy Who Came in from the Cold" (1965), "The Deadly Affair" (1966), "Torn Curtain" (1966), and the "Harry Palmer" series, based on the novels of Len Deighton.