The Tamarind Seed

Lorimar Productions

Industry	Film production
Founded	1974
Headquarters	United States
Products	Films

The Tamarind Seed is a 1974 romantic thriller and espionage drama directed and written by Blake Edwards, featuring performances by Julie Andrews and Omar Sharif. Adapted from Evelyn Anthony's 1971 novel, the narrative centers on a British Home Office official and a Soviet attaché entangled in Cold War espionage. This film represents the inaugural production of Lorimar Productions and includes a musical score composed by John Barry.

Plot

Following the death of her spouse and an unsuccessful romantic involvement, Judith Farrow, an assistant at the British Home Office, encounters Colonel Sverdlov, a Soviet attaché, in Barbados. Their developing relationship attracts the scrutiny of British intelligence. Sverdlov gifts Judith a tamarind seed, symbolizing their connection.

Jack Loder, an officer with British intelligence, suspects that Sverdlov is attempting to recruit Judith as an informant while simultaneously handling a double agent known as "Blue." Loder advises Judith to notify him of any interactions with Sverdlov.

Sverdlov, operating out of the Soviet Embassy in Paris, experiences suspicion from his superior, General Golitsyn. He clandestinely acquires the dossier on "Blue," which he intends to use as leverage to secure asylum in Canada, and arranges another meeting with Judith in Barbados.

An assassination attempt at London Airport fails. Subsequently, Sverdlov and Judith deepen their relationship in Barbados. Their bungalow is attacked with napalm by Soviet operatives, resulting in the deaths of most assailants and presumably Sverdlov, while destroying the "Blue" file and leaving Judith emotionally scarred.

Later, Loder informs Judith that Sverdlov survived and was extracted to Canada. He confirms that "Blue" is Fergus Stephenson, a British diplomat acting as a double agent whom Loder plans to exploit until Soviet forces neutralize him. The story concludes with Judith reuniting with Sverdlov in Canada, solidifying their alliance amid ongoing Cold War hostilities.

Production

Partially funded by Sir Lew Grade through a two-picture agreement that included securing Andrews for a television project, The Tamarind Seed was produced alongside Trilby. This film marked Andrews’ return to cinema after a four-year hiatus following Darling Lili, during which she married Blake Edwards and prioritized family life. Andrews described this project as an ideal choice for her comeback.

Filming locations included Barbados, London’s Belgravia district (notably Eaton Square), and Paris.

Reception

The movie was showcased during a Royal Command Performance. According to Lew Grade, it performed moderately well at the box office but faced profitability challenges due to substantial profit-sharing agreements with Edwards and Andrews (Andrews received 10% of gross earnings; Edwards 5%), a common arrangement for leading talent.

David Sterritt of The Christian Science Monitor noted that the film’s traditional star-driven focus on Andrews may have limited its wider appeal despite strong features such as Oscar Homolka’s acting, atmospheric settings, scenic visuals, and a layered spy melodrama reminiscent of Hitchcock’s Topaz. Sterritt suggested that emphasizing these qualities rather than centering solely on the star might have enhanced its commercial success.

In her 1974 review for Movietone News, Kathleen Murphy commended the film’s depiction of "the community of two"—a devoted couple navigating Cold War complexities—providing an insightful exploration into the ethical dilemmas inherent in international espionage. Murphy concluded that The Tamarind Seed rises above conventional spy thrillers by encouraging viewers to reconsider broader societal themes beyond the cinematic experience.

Cultural references

In 1975, Mad magazine parodied the movie under the title The Tommy-Rot Seed.

Bibliography

• Anthony, Evelyn. The Tamarind Seed. Hutchinson, London, 1971. ISBN 978-0-0910-8040-2
• Wasson, Sam. A Splurch in the Kisser: The Movies of Blake Edwards. Wesleyan University Press, Middletown, 2009. ISBN 978-0-8195-6915-8