The Watergate scandal and the political crisis that followed, leading to the resignation of U.S. President Richard Nixon in 1974, had a significant impact on Hollywood. This period saw the rise of numerous spy dramas, and one of the most notable among them was ‘Three Days of the Condor’ (1975), directed by Sydney Pollack and based on the novel by James Grady.
The film tells the story of Joe Turner, also known as “Condor,” a CIA analyst played by Robert Redford. His work involved examining literature and the press to detect hidden threats. Everything changes when Joe returns from lunch one day to find all of his colleagues murdered. He must uncover the conspiracy before he becomes the next victim.
Where Was It Filmed?
Three Days of the Condor
Much of the movie was shot in New York, at a location that would later become a symbol of national tragedy. In 1975, the filmmakers used the interiors of the North Tower of the World Trade Center, adapting the space to serve as CIA headquarters. Unlike many productions that only showed the exterior of the Twin Towers, Three Days of the Condor provides a rare glimpse into what the inside of the buildings looked like.
The Legacy of the Story
The story of Condor did not end with Pollack’s film. James Grady’s novel Six Days of the Condor and its adaptation later inspired the creators of a television series of the same name, which premiered in the summer of 2018. In the series, the iconic character was reimagined and portrayed by Max Irons. While the original film was set in 1970s New York, the series takes place in Washington, D.C., in a contemporary setting.
