A muddled European spy film, recommended for those only with a high tolerance for the genre. Despite having a number of exotic locations and being an Austrian (!), Italian, Spanish and French co-production, with the typically offbeat European set design which never fails to impress, this movie is let down through some very bad editing (which makes you wonder what on earth is happening at some crucial points) and a typically contrived and confusing plot involving people who appear and disappear at will throughout the story.
Okay, so this is a bad movie, but that doesn't mean its not without its good points. Things kick off with the kidnapping of a young blonde woman (aren't they always in these movies) by three thugs, who are chased by an American agent. Unfortunately he crashes his car (twice, judging by the explosions??) and is killed by a bald assassin. "This blow on his head - how was it done?" asks a curious bystander. "Karate!" answers the investigating policeman. Of course, the Americans don't take too kindly to their men being killed off like this, so in their fight against "gangsterism" they send in their best man, Captain Roland. He's better known as Brad Harris, a Euro-veteran with many films under his belt. His presence lends an agreeably tough angle to the movie. Roland is so tough that he can punch holes in solid metal blocks!
Also on the scene is Walker, a top-secret spy agent who also happens to be a bit of a womaniser in his spare time. This slick playboy is played by none other than Tony Kendall, another hot Euro-property in those days. Walker's first piece of action is to battle a Chinese assassin in his hotel room, eventually throwing him in an acid bath (after watching GOLDFINGER last night, I'm struck by the similarity of a similar scene in the film's opening - you know, the "shocking" bit). After this the pacing becomes more laid back, with lots of plot and intrigue interspersed with some cool scenes of action, including a rooftop chase and a shootout train chase with a car.
Events don't really pick up again until the last fifteen minutes, where all hell breaks loose, but until then the film is pretty boring, it has to be said. Rudolf Zehetgruber's direction is pretty static and obvious, with only the occasional flash of inspiration: like the scene where a striking snake cuts to a striking karate assassin! There are some imaginative scenes, like a plane full of mysterious men in black or the exceptionally eerie vista of a lake full of dead, skeletal trees, complimented by the howling wind. These are too few between to retain the interest, though.
By far the best, and most fun, character in the movie is King, the bald karate assassin. This film was made in the days when karate was supposed to be mysterious and wonderful and King is hilarious as he goes around chopping people! Of course you know when he's going for the death blow because he always ties a black bandanna around his head beforehand! An excellent scene at the end of the film sees him taking on Brad Harris in a one-to-one battle in a spooky old temple surrounded by people in yellow cat masks (he also wears a yellow cape in this scene). Hilarious, mouth-dropping stuff.
So, all in all, this is is routine sub-Bond spy rip-off, with some chases and fights to keep it watchable, but it never becomes good, like Margheriti's own LIGHTNING BOLT, another open rip-off produced with some style. Events play out to a jazzy soundtrack yet again and the film is leisurely paced and laid back. Peplum actor Dan Vadis also makes an appearance as the cool bald karate assassin. This film is recommended only to those of you who like real obscurities!
Okay, so this is a bad movie, but that doesn't mean its not without its good points. Things kick off with the kidnapping of a young blonde woman (aren't they always in these movies) by three thugs, who are chased by an American agent. Unfortunately he crashes his car (twice, judging by the explosions??) and is killed by a bald assassin. "This blow on his head - how was it done?" asks a curious bystander. "Karate!" answers the investigating policeman. Of course, the Americans don't take too kindly to their men being killed off like this, so in their fight against "gangsterism" they send in their best man, Captain Roland. He's better known as Brad Harris, a Euro-veteran with many films under his belt. His presence lends an agreeably tough angle to the movie. Roland is so tough that he can punch holes in solid metal blocks!
Also on the scene is Walker, a top-secret spy agent who also happens to be a bit of a womaniser in his spare time. This slick playboy is played by none other than Tony Kendall, another hot Euro-property in those days. Walker's first piece of action is to battle a Chinese assassin in his hotel room, eventually throwing him in an acid bath (after watching GOLDFINGER last night, I'm struck by the similarity of a similar scene in the film's opening - you know, the "shocking" bit). After this the pacing becomes more laid back, with lots of plot and intrigue interspersed with some cool scenes of action, including a rooftop chase and a shootout train chase with a car.
Events don't really pick up again until the last fifteen minutes, where all hell breaks loose, but until then the film is pretty boring, it has to be said. Rudolf Zehetgruber's direction is pretty static and obvious, with only the occasional flash of inspiration: like the scene where a striking snake cuts to a striking karate assassin! There are some imaginative scenes, like a plane full of mysterious men in black or the exceptionally eerie vista of a lake full of dead, skeletal trees, complimented by the howling wind. These are too few between to retain the interest, though.
By far the best, and most fun, character in the movie is King, the bald karate assassin. This film was made in the days when karate was supposed to be mysterious and wonderful and King is hilarious as he goes around chopping people! Of course you know when he's going for the death blow because he always ties a black bandanna around his head beforehand! An excellent scene at the end of the film sees him taking on Brad Harris in a one-to-one battle in a spooky old temple surrounded by people in yellow cat masks (he also wears a yellow cape in this scene). Hilarious, mouth-dropping stuff.
So, all in all, this is is routine sub-Bond spy rip-off, with some chases and fights to keep it watchable, but it never becomes good, like Margheriti's own LIGHTNING BOLT, another open rip-off produced with some style. Events play out to a jazzy soundtrack yet again and the film is leisurely paced and laid back. Peplum actor Dan Vadis also makes an appearance as the cool bald karate assassin. This film is recommended only to those of you who like real obscurities!