I can't picture Sutherland as Die Nadel either, but then I can't think off hand of anyone else. Maybe Rod Stieger if he were thinner. Bob Mitchem? You can tell how long it's been since I've been to the movies!
I just saw that
Eye of the Needle is listed as 21 on NPR's "Killer-Thriller" poll:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...cc=bn-20100805
Myself I would rate it way above The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. Not a diehard thriller fan/expert and I've not read most on the list but I'm sure there are others I would rate in the top 10 over it.
It's an interesting list and there are several on there that I am going to see if I can find in eBook form.
d