Eye of the Needle was produced as a motion picture in 1981 by Stephen Friedman for MGM/United Artists. It was filmed on location in England, Scotland, and on the Isle of Mull, with David Sutherland starring as Henry Faber and Kate Nelligan as Lucy Rose.

According to Magill's Cinema Annual (1982), the production received "mixed to negative reviews." An example is the review by Newsweek critic, David Ansen, who both applauds and pans the film. Ansen praises Stanly Mann for his "straightforward and unembellished adaptation" of Follett's plot but discredits director Richard Marquand, noting that "he may have overestimated the strength of the story." At the end of the article, Ansen labels the movie "dull and predictable."

On the other hand, New York film critic David Denby appreciated Eye of the Needle's quiet suspense and simplicity. He admitted that the movie "would not inspire new magazine cover stories, fashion...