The original 1953 film noir is a classic that can't be beat, and this remake, nearly exactly the same, seems like a cheapened version with the same plot and formula, entertaining but ultimately unnecessary even if the idea of switching the story to Cape Town Africa seems like a good idea. The color is rather garish and actually makes the film look like something done for TV so the results is a barely acceptable facsimile of something that was done excellently over a decade before. Jacqueline Bisset is pickpocketed on a Cape Town bus, and in addition to the money she loses, microfilm is stolen, revealing her to be involved in espionage. The pickpocket is James brolin, and the informer is Claire Trevor. The original had Thelma Ritter in the one film she was truly deserving of an Oscar for (unforgettable every moment she was on screen, and so important to the plot), and Trevor truly makes every moment she is on screen stand out, a touch of class in spite of the cheap way she comes off in character, especially in her orange tinted hairstyle and garish orange dress.
So there is a natural curiosity there to see how they will make the story seem more current in a 60's exotic setting, and the build-up to Trevor's climactic scene and speech is the highlight of the film. John Whiteley as the main villain is cold enough, but is presented as such a coward that it really diminishes the impact that his big scene with Trevor has. With the film being obviously popular in museums and repertory and on the late show at the time, it's obvious that there would be a curiosity to see how a remake could bring it up today, but the problem that weakens it is poor color photography and the lack of the shadows that made the film noir elements of the original so exceptional. The original has gained in its reputation over the years while this is fallen into the public domain, available on low budget DVD's, and has the curiosity value of newcomers Bissett and Brolin who are acceptable but nothing special, while Trevor is equally matchable to the fabulous Ritter. Once again, she proves how a secondary character can become the heart and soul of a film, even if that film itself is far from perfect. Had the film been technically better (even with a plot that couldn't hold a candle to the original with its lack of surprises), Trevor easily could have been a candidate for a supporting Actress Oscar nomination as she knows where to reign it in and when to cry out for deserving sympathy. Without her, my rating would have been lower. With her, this becomes a film well worth seeing as without her, it would be perfectly easy to skip.
So there is a natural curiosity there to see how they will make the story seem more current in a 60's exotic setting, and the build-up to Trevor's climactic scene and speech is the highlight of the film. John Whiteley as the main villain is cold enough, but is presented as such a coward that it really diminishes the impact that his big scene with Trevor has. With the film being obviously popular in museums and repertory and on the late show at the time, it's obvious that there would be a curiosity to see how a remake could bring it up today, but the problem that weakens it is poor color photography and the lack of the shadows that made the film noir elements of the original so exceptional. The original has gained in its reputation over the years while this is fallen into the public domain, available on low budget DVD's, and has the curiosity value of newcomers Bissett and Brolin who are acceptable but nothing special, while Trevor is equally matchable to the fabulous Ritter. Once again, she proves how a secondary character can become the heart and soul of a film, even if that film itself is far from perfect. Had the film been technically better (even with a plot that couldn't hold a candle to the original with its lack of surprises), Trevor easily could have been a candidate for a supporting Actress Oscar nomination as she knows where to reign it in and when to cry out for deserving sympathy. Without her, my rating would have been lower. With her, this becomes a film well worth seeing as without her, it would be perfectly easy to skip.