The Pigeon Tunnel | Rotten Tomatoes (2024)

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Where to Watch The Pigeon Tunnel What to Know Critics Reviews Audience Reviews My Rating Cast & Crew More Like This Videos The Pigeon Tunnel Photos The Pigeon Tunnel References
96% Tomatometer 84 Reviews 68% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings

Academy Award-winning documentarian Errol Morris pulls back the curtain on the storied life and career of former British spy David Cornwell -- better known as John le Carré, author of such classic espionage novels as The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and The Constant Gardener. Set against the turbulent backdrop of the Cold War leading into present day, the film spans six decades as le Carré delivers his final and most candid interview, punctuated with rare archival footage and dramatized vignettes. "The Pigeon Tunnel" is a deeply human and engaging exploration of le Carré's extraordinary journey and the paper-thin membrane between fact and fiction.

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The Pigeon Tunnel

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Critics Consensus

Enthralling for fans as well as those who've never read one of his bestsellers, The Pigeon Tunnel pulls back the curtain on a master of the espionage thriller.

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Critics Reviews

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The Pigeon Tunnel | Rotten Tomatoes (1) Graeme Blundell The Australian This beautifully constructed film finishes with Morris asking one last question. What does the spy novelist see these days when he looks in the mirror? Oct 27, 2023 Full Review The Pigeon Tunnel | Rotten Tomatoes (2) Mark Feeney Boston Globe “The Pigeon Tunnel” is mannered, but one could argue that’s fitting. It’s hard to get more mannered than the le Carré prose style and plotting. Rated: 3/4 Oct 27, 2023 Full Review The Pigeon Tunnel | Rotten Tomatoes (3) Mick LaSalle San Francisco Chronicle For le Carré fans, “The Pigeon Tunnel” is a must-see, but the film will also be useful to people wanting an introduction to his work. Rated: 3/4 Oct 27, 2023 Full Review The Pigeon Tunnel | Rotten Tomatoes (4) Amy Taubin Artforum Odd connections that have made exquisite corpse–like shapes in my memory bank...among the most pleasurable documentaries... Jan 27, 2024 Full Review The Pigeon Tunnel | Rotten Tomatoes (5) Alex Heeney Seventh Row As a le Carré fan, I enjoyed it as a curio, but le Carré is cagey about a number of topics which make the film less illuminating than one might hope. Jan 24, 2024 Full Review The Pigeon Tunnel | Rotten Tomatoes (6) Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Exceptional documentary on John Le Carre but with limits. Rated: A Dec 25, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews
See Also
John le Carré le maître de l'espionnage en cinq films et séries cultes9 Best Spy Movies on Netflix Right Now8 Best Spy Movies Based On John Le Carré Novels, Ranked (According To Rotten Tomatoes)

Audience Reviews

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David F I love Errol Morris and I love John Le Carré, so I’m biased, but this was a very engrossing documentary about the novelist's biography, told entirely from his perspective. The con-man father looms very large over Le Carré, even larger than his work in espionage for which he is known. It’s a revealing documentary, if not quite an unraveling of the whole man. Rated 3.5/5 Stars • Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 04/28/24 Full Review Russell T Really enjoyable. The documentary intertwines Cornwall’s life with the characters, plots, and themes of his works. A must see for any fan of the author. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/23/24 Full Review Alec B Its a fascinating examination of Le Carre who was extremely perceptive of other people. Rated 4/5 Stars • Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/04/24 Full Review Kevin E A little bit on the dry side, but very insightful into a compelling author. Rated 3.5/5 Stars • Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/27/24 Full Review Carol C I've always been a Le Carre fan. This documentary pulls the curtain aside to reveal the complex man behind his fascinating body of work. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/12/23 Full Review Thomas S Enjoyed reliving some of my favorite reads from early 80's. Rated 3.5/5 Stars • Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 11/25/23 Full Review Read all reviews

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Cast & Crew

Errol Morris Director John le Carré Self Jake Dove David Cornwell Charlotte Hamblin Olive Cornwell Alan Mehdizadeh Big Man Douglas Rankine Rudolf Hess
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Synopsis Academy Award-winning documentarian Errol Morris pulls back the curtain on the storied life and career of former British spy David Cornwell -- better known as John le Carré, author of such classic espionage novels as The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and The Constant Gardener. Set against the turbulent backdrop of the Cold War leading into present day, the film spans six decades as le Carré delivers his final and most candid interview, punctuated with rare archival footage and dramatized vignettes. "The Pigeon Tunnel" is a deeply human and engaging exploration of le Carré's extraordinary journey and the paper-thin membrane between fact and fiction.

Director
Errol Morris

Producer
Errol Morris, Steven Hathaway, Stephen Cornwell, Dominic Crossley-Holland, Simon Cornwell

Screenwriter
Errol Morris

Distributor
Apple Original Films

Production Co
Storyteller Productions, Hero Squared, 127 Wall, Fourth Floor Productions, The Ink Factory, Apple Original Films, Jago Films

Rating
PG-13 (Brief Language|Some Violence|Smoking)

Genre
Documentary

Original Language
English

Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 20, 2023, Limited

Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 20, 2023

Runtime
1h 34m
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The Pigeon Tunnel | Rotten Tomatoes (2024)

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