I remember when I first saw OUR MAN FLIGHT, I thought, `What a GREAT movie' (I was 15 at the time). I saw it again three years later and was unimpressed. The truth, of course, lies somewhere in between. OUR MAN FLINT actually made a couple of 10 Best Lists. It IS funny in a dated sort of way, With very good cinematography, a terrific score by Jerry Goldsmith, a beautiful leading lady in Gila Golan, and a great self-mocking performance from James Coburn, I might add... An observation about Flint's appeal to (and opinion of) women. Where the `Connery' Bond used (and sometimes abused) women, controlling them by a mixture of lust and fear, Flint is, simply, indifferent. Women flock to him because of his competency and since of power. They stay because he gives them great sex AND freedom. This is why the world of GALAXY does not appeal to him. He has no need to control women; he gets as many as he wants without control; and, even if he didn't, he has OTHER things to do. This theme is expanded upon in the slightly inferior sequel IN LIKE FLINT. But it IS there.
Sadly, Gila Golan was unofficially blacklisted by the international film community, like Dahlia Lavi, because she is Israeli (Miss Israel, 1961). Fortunately, Natalie Portman hasn't suffered the same fate.
Sadly, Gila Golan was unofficially blacklisted by the international film community, like Dahlia Lavi, because she is Israeli (Miss Israel, 1961). Fortunately, Natalie Portman hasn't suffered the same fate.