This is a well produced film with striking scenery and color. It also has some great action sequences which look almost too good for a film released in 1968. This is one of those movies that, if you didn't know exactly when it was made, it would be hard to guess, and there are very few of those types around. The screenplay rolls right along like the runaway train depicted herein, and the soundtrack is exciting and cool.
One of the problems I have with the story is the background of the mercenaries themselves. For instance, Rod Taylor's character--where is he from? Why is he a mercenary? The characters are all interesting, we just want to know what makes them tick. The political and historical background, well, we take that for granted, but it seems strange that these guys are all down in the Congo for different reasons and it's never explained.
There is one gripping scene with Rod Taylor and Jim Brown on the train where Brown explains his African heritage. He might not be a great actor but he has unbeatable on screen intensity. Rod Taylor is also a fascinating screen presence, usually he seemed like too much of a nice guy for tough roles but here he's pretty cool.
One of the problems I have with the story is the background of the mercenaries themselves. For instance, Rod Taylor's character--where is he from? Why is he a mercenary? The characters are all interesting, we just want to know what makes them tick. The political and historical background, well, we take that for granted, but it seems strange that these guys are all down in the Congo for different reasons and it's never explained.
There is one gripping scene with Rod Taylor and Jim Brown on the train where Brown explains his African heritage. He might not be a great actor but he has unbeatable on screen intensity. Rod Taylor is also a fascinating screen presence, usually he seemed like too much of a nice guy for tough roles but here he's pretty cool.