LIAM DEVLIN
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Full Name: |
Liam Devlin |
Nationality: |
Irish |
Organization: |
British Secret Service |
Occupation |
Agent |
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Creator: |
Jack Higgins
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Time Span: |
1975 - 1990 |
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ABOUT THE SERIES
Liam Devlin is an Irish patriot.
He was a champion of the Irish cause from his earliest days, fighting against British rule in Northern Ireland. He took his freedom-fighting stance to Spain during the height of their civil war where he fought on the side of the anti-Franco forces.
His help was then enlisted by a force that seemed incongruous to his earlier struggles, the Nazis, but since they were both fighting the British, he agreed.
Devlin is a ferocious fighter for his nation's freedom. He is also a poet, a writer, and an intellectual. After his years of struggle, as he grew more disgusted with the indiscriminant killing by the new IRA, he retired from the conflict and became a professor at Trinity College.
It is while there in his mid-60's that Devlin is approached to help his former enemy, the British Charles Ferguson. As the head of Group Four of MI-5, he twice coerced Devlin into helping his team. Even though they were politically opposite each other, there was considerable respect by Ferguson for Devlin.
This series is really two separate series as there is a thirty-four year separation in time.
The first pair of stories concerned the actions of Devlin in his helping of the Germans against the British, all in reprisal for Britain's continued dominance in Northern Ireland. In both efforts, he shared the stage with a German colonel named Steiner. They are awesome tales though they are more war stories than spy stories.
The second pair, happening in the late 70's and early 80's, are a wholly different matter. Devlin is an impressed agent for Group Four of D-15 (disguised MI-5). The work is just as exciting but the feel is understandably not the same.
BOOKS
Number of Books: | 4 |
First Appearance: | 1975 |
Last Appearance: | 1990 |
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1 |
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The Eagle Has Landed
Written by Jack Higgins
Copyright: 1975
A German plot to eliminate Winston Churchill joins a paratrooper Colonel Steiner and his men into northern England to work with Liam Devlin. This novel marked the transition of Jack Higgins into the best seller category. It was also turned into a fantastic movie in 1977 starring Michael Caine, Donald Sutherland, Donald Pleasance, and Robert Duvall.
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2 |
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The Eagle Has Flown
Written by Jack Higgins
Copyright: 1990
Reichsfuhrer Himmler wants Steiner, known to be held as a POW somewhere in England, back and sends his best espionage agents to free him.
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3 |
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Touch The Devil
Written by Jack Higgins
Copyright: 1982
When an assassin for the KGB is found to have stolen vital NATO weapons secrets, British Intelligence needs someone who can think as deviously as the Soviet to catch him. Their selection is Liam Devlin but his cooperation is not coming willingly.
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4 |
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Confessional
Written by Jack Higgins
Copyright: 1985
A deep sleeper agent, planted by the KGB in Northern Ireland many years before, has awakened and is on a mission to kill one of the most beloved people in the British Isles. While the plans of the Soviets have since changed, the intent of the sleeper has not. Unless someone can root him out, the turmoil is escalate to a new level. Ferguson's choice for the job is Liam Devlin.
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MOVIES
Number of Movies: | 2 |
First Appearance: | 1976 |
Last Appearance: | 1989 |
Two movies have come from this four-book series. The first, and more famous, is The Eagle Has Landed with Michael Caine and Donald Sutherland. The other is Confessional which starred Keith Carradine.
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1 |
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The Eagle Has Landed
Director: John Sturges
Writers: Tom Mankiewicz, Jack Higgins
Actors: Michael Caine as Colonel Steiner, Donald Sutherland as Liam Devlin, Robert Duvall as Colonel Radl, Jenny Agutter as Molly, Donald Pleasence as Himmler, John Standing as Father Verecker
Released: 1976
The Germans plot to kidnap Winston Churchill when he visits a small village. They are aided by an angry Liam Devlin.
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2 |
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Confessional
Director: Gordon Flemyng
Writers: James Mitchell, Jack Higgins
Actors: Keith Carradine as Liam Devlin, Stephen Holland as Davey, Robert Lang as Brigadier Ferguson, Robert Lindsay as Thomas Kelly, Anthony Quayle as The Pope
Released: 1989
A terrorist is determined to destroy the peace talks between the Irish and the British. He is being pursued by both sides as he aims to kill the pope and pin it on the British.
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