Three Days of the Condor

Main Plot

"Three Days of the Condor," directed by Sydney Pollack, follows a CIA researcher who returns from lunch to find his entire office murdered. Realizing he's now a target, he goes on the run, using his analytical skills to uncover the conspiracy behind the killings. Seeking help from a stranger, he navigates a web of deception and danger, unsure of whom to trust. As he digs deeper, he discovers a covert operation within the CIA that has gone rogue, leading to a tense showdown. The film explores themes of trust, betrayal, and the murky ethics of intelligence work, set against the backdrop of 1970s paranoia.

Characters

• Robert Redford plays Joe Turner, a CIA analyst who uncovers a conspiracy and must evade assassins while unraveling the truth.
• Faye Dunaway plays Kathy Hale, a photographer who becomes an unwilling accomplice to CIA analyst Joe Turner as he uncovers a conspiracy.
• Cliff Robertson plays Higgins, a senior CIA official who manipulates events to cover up a rogue operation, ultimately confronting the protagonist about the agency's darker motives.

Ending Explained

In the conclusion of "Three Days of the Condor," directed by Sydney Pollack, Joe Turner (played by Robert Redford), a CIA analyst codenamed Condor, uncovers a clandestine operation within the agency. After narrowly escaping multiple assassination attempts orchestrated by rogue elements within the CIA, Turner confronts Higgins (Cliff Robertson), a senior CIA official. Turner reveals his discovery of a secret plan to invade the Middle East for oil, which was the motive behind the murders of his colleagues. In a tense final scene, Turner meets Higgins in New York City and informs him that he has given the story to The New York Times, ensuring public exposure. Higgins warns Turner that the CIA will deny everything and questions whether the newspaper will publish the story. The film ends ambiguously with Turner walking away, leaving the audience uncertain about his fate and whether the truth will indeed come to light. This conclusion underscores the themes of mistrust and moral ambiguity within governmental institutions, leaving viewers to ponder the implications of unchecked power and the fragility of truth.