This spy adventure is a thrilling example of the genre that overstays its welcome a bit with some needless action sequences then redeems itself with a smart ending that reminds us of the film’s previous highlights.
Set during WWII, British agents, led by Jonathan Smith (Richard Burton, WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOLFF?), are assigned a mission to infiltrate a Nazi stronghold and rescue a captured U.S. Army Brigadier General George Carnaby (Robert Beatty, 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY), who knows the plans for the Normandy invasion. Members of Smith’s crew are American lieutenant and top assassin Morris Schaffer (Clint Eastwood, FOR A FEW DOLLARS MORE) and MI6 spy Mary Elison (Mary Ure, LOOK BACK IN ANGER). Complicating the mission is the fact that the Nazis have infiltrated MI6 and know about the mission.
The story plays out the step-by-step details of the mission and we never know whom to trust. Maj. Smith develops a closer bond to Schaffer because he has no connection to MI6. Tension builds and builds until we reach one of the best scenes in any spy film ever when Smith and Schaffer find the captured American and confront the Nazi leaders. Meanwhile, Mary must deal with the advances of the skeptical SS officer Von Hapen (Derren Nesbitt). It’s tense and twists brilliantly. Burton is great in this scene.
However, after this scene the film steps wrong with some faulty logical moves by the heroes. Their moves only serve to complicate things later on, setting up a nice action set piece on a cable car that is really just one long action scene too many in the heroes’ escape.
The acting is what it needs to be in a film where well-executed plot and action set pieces come before nuanced characters. Burton adds a nice dark edge to his character — like a brooding and cynical James Bond. Eastwood is a cold killer and it's easy to see why he was chosen for this mission.
Helmed by actor-turned-director-turned-plumber (yes, he gave up directing to become a plumber) Brian Hutton, the action sequences are all well paced and add the right note of tension and suspense. The most intriguing part of the film is that the characters have to use their smarts more than their brawn to escape the increasing danger. Even with a closing that adds a few too many scenes, the overall film is a smart, skillfully crafted action adventure.
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Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
