Just re-released on DVD and Blu-ray from the Criterion Collection, Hopscotch is a hilarious espionage comedy based on the Brian Garfield novel of the same name that stars Walter Matthau as CIA operative Miles Kendig. When he is reassigned to desk duty he decides to say ‘take this job and shove it’ and resigns. After heading to Europe to be with former lover and ex-agent Isobel (Glenda Jackson), Kendig chooses to stick it to his old bosses by publishing his memoirs, and as the chapters leak, he and Isobel go on the run and manage to stay one step ahead of his flustered former colleagues. Herbert Lom, Ned Beatty, and Sam Waterston also star in this underrated effort from British director Ronald Neame. Given Matthau’s reputation, it’s amazing that this film isn’t more popular. With this new release, it is well on its way to getting the overdue respect it deserves.
Here’s a rundown of the disc’s special features:
New 2K digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray
Interviews from 2002 with director Ronald Neame and writer Brian Garfield
Walter Matthau in a 1980 appearance on The Dick Cavett Show
Trailer and teaser
Optional broadcast television audio track for family viewing
An essay by critic Glenn Kenny
Is your interest piqued? If so, check out the spy-jinks in the movie’s original trailer:
Hopscotch is now available on DVD and Blu-ray.