Ebert gave the film three stars while praising its moment-to-moment thriller craft despite plot holes.
The hosts argue the movie merits four stars and that Ebert withheld about half a star too much.
Contemporary critics are described as having unusually high expectations for 1976 thrillers.

In the discussion (3)

Approx. transcript time · 01:04:23Read transcript

Richard Widmark was reportedly the backup when Olivier’s health was uncertain.
Charlotte Rampling was reportedly Schlesinger’s preferred Elsa and is enthusiastically favored.
Julie Christie is mentioned as another researched Elsa possibility, though her double cross is considered less convincing.

The segment covers Doc and Janeway’s relationship, Abebe Bikila, barefoot kickers, and Goldman’s unproduced Brothers screenplay.

In the discussion (4)

Approx. transcript time · 01:11:18Read transcript

The novel identifies Doc and Janeway as lovers more explicitly than the film.
The runner in the flashbacks is identified as Ethiopian Olympic champion Abebe Bikila, who won the 1960 marathon barefoot.
Barefoot football kickers and their poor historical accuracy are discussed.
Goldman reportedly wrote an unproduced, poorly regarded screenplay called Brothers connected to this story.

The exposition drive, Szell’s Diamond District visit and disguise, farmhouse detour, Jaws marquee, and Hoffman’s running form are questioned.

In the discussion (6)

Approx. transcript time · 01:16:53Read transcript

Janeway telling Babe the entire Szell story during a circular drive is questioned, though defended as a confidence-building interrogation tactic.
Szell personally visiting the Diamond District before retrieving the diamonds is questioned.
Szell’s minimal disguise is criticized.
The drive to the farmhouse is questioned again.
A Jaws marquee visible behind Hoffman is said to break the Roy Scheider fiction.
Hoffman’s running stride and marathon pacing are criticized as lurching and inefficient.

The discussion asks about Babe’s dental recovery, the British-supervillain tradition, and whether his damaged apartment could be rented again.

In the discussion (3)

Approx. transcript time · 01:22:56Read transcript

The likely extensive dental treatment and anesthesia Babe would need are questioned.
The film is considered as a possible origin point for British actors playing Hollywood supervillains.
Whether Babe’s wrecked, foul-smelling apartment could ever be rented again prompts personal New York apartment stories.

In the discussion (3)

Approx. transcript time · 01:27:16Read transcript