Though by no means a perfect film, it is a much more coherent work than it is given credit, held together by Siegel's exuberant eye for the incongruous.
Michael Caine's exasperating cool robs this very well‐made movie of some of its potential excitement.
50
Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert
Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert
The Black Windmill commits the one crime no thriller can be pardoned for. It's not thrilling. It's also terribly passive and static, and Siegel directs Caine almost to a standstill.
All principal players are well cast, but the production fizzles in its final half-hour because the story premise gets clobbered by clumsy and ineffective resolution and execution.
50
The TelegraphCatherine Gee
The TelegraphCatherine Gee
There are fine performances from Donald Pleasence and Delphine Seyrig, but the film fails to build real suspense. [26 May 2015, p.32]
50
TV Guide Magazine
TV Guide Magazine
Disappointing effort from Siegel, although not without some interesting philosophical "hero-antihero" questions.