A nasty and terrific gem of an action movie, the best of Rod Taylor's career. Very exciting, expertly acted, and with a beautiful score that sounds like it was done by Maurice Jarre (it wasn't). Highly recommended.
68 Reviews
Rod Taylor's best
bwaynef28 March 1999
Spectacular and violent motion picture about African wars and intervention of avaricious mercenaries
ma-cortes14 October 2005
This Africa-set picture concerns about some mercenaries (Rod Taylor, Jim Brown and Peter Carsten) hired by a Congo leader (Calvin Lockhart) to retrieve diamonds from a besieged city by the Simbas . As the movie's MacGuffin is a cache of uncut diamonds valued at US $50 million . They risk their lives facing off nasties and rebel warriors ; confronting several dangers and adventures . Besides , they must help out various inhabitants (Ivette Mimieux , Andre Morrell and others) lay siege and only backed by a boozer doctor (Kenneth Moore). Meanwhile , a locomotive travels through a treacherous countryside in Africa taking on a lot of risks .
The movie is based on real events and dealing with a train-in-peril across hostile landscapes . From start to finish the exciting warlike action is nonstop . In the movie there is tension , suspense , emotion , frenetic action and a little bit of violence when the fights happen ; besides , being fast movement , for that reason results to be entertaining . The movie was made and released about three years after its source novel "Dark of the Sun" by Wilbur Smith had been first published in 1965 . The book was Smith's second novel with this film being the first ever screen adaptation of a Wilbur Smith story and being adapted by screen-writer Ranald MacDougall . Based on historical facts ; thus , creating the independence Republic Congo (1960) with Lumumba , though later there took place a state coup by Mobutu Sese Seko . Tshombe proclaimed the Republic Katanga with the supporting of mercenaries , mine companies and European countries . The civil war bursts and causes destruction , starvation , rampage and millions of deaths . In fact , publicity for this picture declared that it was the first major motion picture to examine the Congo Rebellion which is aka the Congo Crisis aka the Congo Uprising .
Rod Taylor as the tough and two-fisted mercenary is top-notch . However , Clint Walker was the early choice for the lead Captain Bruce Curry role which in the end was cast with Rod Taylor . Ivette Mimieux is enticing and marvelous . This movie re-unites Rod Taylor with Yvette Mimieux eight years after they co-starred in 1960's "The Time Machine" . Furthermore , Jim Brown as the loyal and hunk pal is splendid and agreeable appearance by Kenneth Moore as drunken doctor . Special mention for Peter Carsten who interprets a first-rate villain . Original and thrilling Music by Jacques Loussier , including catching leitmotif . Edward Scaife cinematography is colorful and glittering , as it is splendidly reflected on the awesome jungle outdoors . Picture was lavishly produced by George Englund and well directed by Jack Cardiff , famous cameraman who photographed a lot of classic films . Rating : Above average . Very well worthwhile seeing .
The movie is based on real events and dealing with a train-in-peril across hostile landscapes . From start to finish the exciting warlike action is nonstop . In the movie there is tension , suspense , emotion , frenetic action and a little bit of violence when the fights happen ; besides , being fast movement , for that reason results to be entertaining . The movie was made and released about three years after its source novel "Dark of the Sun" by Wilbur Smith had been first published in 1965 . The book was Smith's second novel with this film being the first ever screen adaptation of a Wilbur Smith story and being adapted by screen-writer Ranald MacDougall . Based on historical facts ; thus , creating the independence Republic Congo (1960) with Lumumba , though later there took place a state coup by Mobutu Sese Seko . Tshombe proclaimed the Republic Katanga with the supporting of mercenaries , mine companies and European countries . The civil war bursts and causes destruction , starvation , rampage and millions of deaths . In fact , publicity for this picture declared that it was the first major motion picture to examine the Congo Rebellion which is aka the Congo Crisis aka the Congo Uprising .
Rod Taylor as the tough and two-fisted mercenary is top-notch . However , Clint Walker was the early choice for the lead Captain Bruce Curry role which in the end was cast with Rod Taylor . Ivette Mimieux is enticing and marvelous . This movie re-unites Rod Taylor with Yvette Mimieux eight years after they co-starred in 1960's "The Time Machine" . Furthermore , Jim Brown as the loyal and hunk pal is splendid and agreeable appearance by Kenneth Moore as drunken doctor . Special mention for Peter Carsten who interprets a first-rate villain . Original and thrilling Music by Jacques Loussier , including catching leitmotif . Edward Scaife cinematography is colorful and glittering , as it is splendidly reflected on the awesome jungle outdoors . Picture was lavishly produced by George Englund and well directed by Jack Cardiff , famous cameraman who photographed a lot of classic films . Rating : Above average . Very well worthwhile seeing .
Violent fast moving thriller...
AlsExGal8 January 2023
...about mercenary Curry (Rod Taylor) and his partner Ruffo (Jim Brown). They are both in 1960's The Congo, ready to carry out a mission for Congolese dictator Ubi (Calvin Lockhart). Curry is to get troops together and rescue the residents of Port Reprieve, along with 50 million in diamonds. In the troop he gathers together are an alcoholic doctor (Kenneth More) and a Nazi ex-officer (Peter Carsten). All set out on a makeshift train. On the way, they meet refugee Claire (Yviette Mimieux), whose husband has just been murdered. Complications ensue.
This action film gives little chance for characterization. Taylor is fine, especially before movie takes the turn toward action thriller. You can read his eyes to see what his character is thinking, and he has a way with a sarcastic line. Brown is also good. Mimieux never gets a chance to develop her character; she's basically the sex interest or walking plot device.
For 1968, film is remarkably violent. Don't get too fond of the characters. If you want to look for themes, the film has an interesting one spelled out. Listen to the tales of superstitions, and a character's behavior near the film's end. This is a good action film that gives food for thought and is worth a watch.
This action film gives little chance for characterization. Taylor is fine, especially before movie takes the turn toward action thriller. You can read his eyes to see what his character is thinking, and he has a way with a sarcastic line. Brown is also good. Mimieux never gets a chance to develop her character; she's basically the sex interest or walking plot device.
For 1968, film is remarkably violent. Don't get too fond of the characters. If you want to look for themes, the film has an interesting one spelled out. Listen to the tales of superstitions, and a character's behavior near the film's end. This is a good action film that gives food for thought and is worth a watch.
Great film, but who is the "good guy"?
grendelkhan21 October 2002
This is an excellent film and definitely one of Rod Taylor's best performances. Taylor is Curry, a mercenary commander in the Congo, during the Katanga secession. Jim Brown is his friend and number two, a US educated Congolese. Taylor plays Curry as a true mercenary of the period: ruthless, greedy, loyal to his comrades, and distrustful of his rivals and employers.
The film mixes two different periods of the civil wars in the Congo; the Katanga secession in 1960 and the Simba revolt in 1964. The original book is set squarely during the Katanga period and involves the Baluba war, not the Simba's. However both periods were exemplified by brutality on all sides. The film accurately portrays the enmity between the Katanga forces and the UN troops sent to intervene. It also accurately depicts the Belgian interests in Katanga.
Much like the train the mercenaries ride, the film starts out slow and builds up steam along the route. By the end, it's a runaway that comes crashing to its end. This is war and humanity at its worst, make no mistake. The closest I can come to finding a "good guy" is Jim Brown, the soldier who wants his country to be free and have its place in the modern world.
The Nazi character was based on an actual German mercenary in the Congo, Siegfried Mueller. Mueller was noted for wearing the Iron Cross, which he earned in the Second World War, on his uniform. The film makers changed it to a swastika for greater effect (I presume). There is a slight problem with the continuity of this character, as part way through the film, his voice is obviously dubbed by another actor. Presumably, this was due to sound problems and the unavailability of the actor to loop his lines (It sounds like Paul Frees).
All-in-all this is a great film; vastly superior to others of the genre, such as The Wild Geese and The Dogs of War. Just remember, war more often brings out the worst in humanity, rather than the best.
The film mixes two different periods of the civil wars in the Congo; the Katanga secession in 1960 and the Simba revolt in 1964. The original book is set squarely during the Katanga period and involves the Baluba war, not the Simba's. However both periods were exemplified by brutality on all sides. The film accurately portrays the enmity between the Katanga forces and the UN troops sent to intervene. It also accurately depicts the Belgian interests in Katanga.
Much like the train the mercenaries ride, the film starts out slow and builds up steam along the route. By the end, it's a runaway that comes crashing to its end. This is war and humanity at its worst, make no mistake. The closest I can come to finding a "good guy" is Jim Brown, the soldier who wants his country to be free and have its place in the modern world.
The Nazi character was based on an actual German mercenary in the Congo, Siegfried Mueller. Mueller was noted for wearing the Iron Cross, which he earned in the Second World War, on his uniform. The film makers changed it to a swastika for greater effect (I presume). There is a slight problem with the continuity of this character, as part way through the film, his voice is obviously dubbed by another actor. Presumably, this was due to sound problems and the unavailability of the actor to loop his lines (It sounds like Paul Frees).
All-in-all this is a great film; vastly superior to others of the genre, such as The Wild Geese and The Dogs of War. Just remember, war more often brings out the worst in humanity, rather than the best.
Good Entertainment
Theo Robertson20 October 2002
DARK OF THE SUN ( As I know it though there`s several different titles for the film ) is the simple stoy of a bunch of mercenaries in 60s Congo liberating a bunch of Europeans ( And more importantly a lot of diamonds ) besieged by the muderous Simba nationalist cult. Throw in a load of cliches like a drunken doctor , a damsal in distress , a nazi war criminal , a redemption sub plot with the hero gaining his humanity , tedious moral dialogue about the future of Africa and several revealing mistakes where the victims of Simba violence are quite clearly stuffed dummies and you might think this is a really bad film . Maybe it is but it`s also good old fashioned entertainment . The battle scenes may have dated somewhat compared to BLACK HAWK DOWN and SAVING PRIVATE RYAN but they still pack a punch especially the editing when the action cuts from the Simba hordes attacking the train to the hero and the banker waiting patiently for the time lock to open the vault where the diamonds are stored. If you liked THE WILD GEESE you`ll like this film too
Pretty good old school action adventure yarn.
poolandrews21 August 2008
Warning: Spoilers
The Mercenaries is set in the lawless brutal jungles of the Congo during a bloody civil war & starts as President Ubi (Calvin Lockhart) & Belgian diamond mining company owner Delage (Guy Deghy) hire American Congo Special Forces mercenary Captain Bruce Curry (Rod Taylor) & his Congo native partner Sergeant Ruffo (Jim Brown) to travel to a small town, save it's people from rebel Simba forces & also bring back $50 million worth of diamonds. Togethr with forty odd soldiers from 'Striker Blue Force' as protection the men travel across the Congo jungle by train but rebel forces & danger is never far away & having $50 million in diamonds also creates it's own problems as Captain Curry has to mastermind the rescue of innocent civilians as well as keep himself & his men alive...
More commonly known under the title Dark of the Sun these days this British production was directed by famed Oscar winning English cinematographer Jack Cardiff who was actually the uncredited cinematographer on The Mercenaries & is a pretty good action adventure featuring plenty of heroes, villains, battle scenes, some nice jungle scenery, some moralistic preaching & a solid plot although it did leave me slightly cold for some reason. The script was based on the novel by Wilbur Smith which was called Dark of the Sun rather than The Mercenaries & by all accounts has significant differences although I have not read it. According to the IMDb diamonds aren't mined in the Congo so I guess authenticity wasn't high on the makers agenda despite being set in & around historically accurate events. The plot moves along at a decent pace, there's enough action & adventure to stop most viewers becoming bored & it's also a film that tries to have many messages & themes run & develop concurrently along with the story. From the likes of trust, friendship, redemption, the moral problems of war & Colonial rule, several themes revolving around racism & the exploration of several strikingly different mens motives for being who they actually are & why they are doing what they are doing. One good aspect is that the moral issues never really bog down the main story & are fairly well judged, sure by the end it might have spent a little bit too long on the drama aspects but not really at the expense of the action & I personally thought it was a well paced & well judged film never letting any one particular aspect overtake the film as a whole. Clocking in at around the 100 minute mark the film doesn't outstay it's welcome & it never becomes boring but for some reason it never really excited me, it never really drew me in or engaged me, the character's were broad stereotypes & I also thought it was a little predictable. The Mercenaries is good for sure but just how good will probably depend on the viewers tastes, I think most people would enjoy it (like me) but maybe not everyone would love it (like me).
The Mercenaries actually looks terrific & was apparently shot on location in Jamaica, the jungle scenery is very nice, lush & exotic with director & cinematographer Cardiff making good use of the 2:35:1 Panavision frame & full widescreen is really the only way you should be watching this. For a fairly obscure film such as The Mercenaries a lot of time & effort seems to have been lavished on it, the sets, the action, the location filming & cast are very good & very polished. The action scenes are fun & suitably explosive, there is a bit of blood, a bit of torture at the end, a cool chainsaw fight & some bad language which all seem tame by 2008 standards but for a mainstream film way in 1968 this was probably quite shocking & graphic.
The production values are high & the film looks really nice with good stunt work & effects. The acting is pretty good although not outstanding, Rod Taylor & Jim brown make likable heroes while the obligatory female love interest Yvette Mimieux has little to do.
The Mercenaries is a good old fashioned action adventure film that I liked but didn't love, despite not being able to say exactly why there was something about it that left me a bit cold & detached. Good but not great.
More commonly known under the title Dark of the Sun these days this British production was directed by famed Oscar winning English cinematographer Jack Cardiff who was actually the uncredited cinematographer on The Mercenaries & is a pretty good action adventure featuring plenty of heroes, villains, battle scenes, some nice jungle scenery, some moralistic preaching & a solid plot although it did leave me slightly cold for some reason. The script was based on the novel by Wilbur Smith which was called Dark of the Sun rather than The Mercenaries & by all accounts has significant differences although I have not read it. According to the IMDb diamonds aren't mined in the Congo so I guess authenticity wasn't high on the makers agenda despite being set in & around historically accurate events. The plot moves along at a decent pace, there's enough action & adventure to stop most viewers becoming bored & it's also a film that tries to have many messages & themes run & develop concurrently along with the story. From the likes of trust, friendship, redemption, the moral problems of war & Colonial rule, several themes revolving around racism & the exploration of several strikingly different mens motives for being who they actually are & why they are doing what they are doing. One good aspect is that the moral issues never really bog down the main story & are fairly well judged, sure by the end it might have spent a little bit too long on the drama aspects but not really at the expense of the action & I personally thought it was a well paced & well judged film never letting any one particular aspect overtake the film as a whole. Clocking in at around the 100 minute mark the film doesn't outstay it's welcome & it never becomes boring but for some reason it never really excited me, it never really drew me in or engaged me, the character's were broad stereotypes & I also thought it was a little predictable. The Mercenaries is good for sure but just how good will probably depend on the viewers tastes, I think most people would enjoy it (like me) but maybe not everyone would love it (like me).
The Mercenaries actually looks terrific & was apparently shot on location in Jamaica, the jungle scenery is very nice, lush & exotic with director & cinematographer Cardiff making good use of the 2:35:1 Panavision frame & full widescreen is really the only way you should be watching this. For a fairly obscure film such as The Mercenaries a lot of time & effort seems to have been lavished on it, the sets, the action, the location filming & cast are very good & very polished. The action scenes are fun & suitably explosive, there is a bit of blood, a bit of torture at the end, a cool chainsaw fight & some bad language which all seem tame by 2008 standards but for a mainstream film way in 1968 this was probably quite shocking & graphic.
The production values are high & the film looks really nice with good stunt work & effects. The acting is pretty good although not outstanding, Rod Taylor & Jim brown make likable heroes while the obligatory female love interest Yvette Mimieux has little to do.
The Mercenaries is a good old fashioned action adventure film that I liked but didn't love, despite not being able to say exactly why there was something about it that left me a bit cold & detached. Good but not great.
You Wont See Many Hardcore African on Euro White Rapes Like This
verbusen17 May 2007
Warning: Spoilers
Take one part Von Ryan's Express, one part Wild Geese, one part The Road Warrior, and one part Dogs Of War and you get a kick butt flick called Dark Of The Sun! I'm at my job and to my great fortune I tuned to TCM Europe and caught this in its entirety, I was pretty blown away. I can just imagine the response the movie going public of 1968 America had, with race riots and MLK Jr's assassination and all, they probably really hated it. The movie depicts what I thought I was going to see in "Guns at Batasi", Africans revolting violently against unarmed Euro White civilians in the heart of Africa. They definitely do not to my knowledge (unless possibly a South African movie), make many movies that show the scenes that this movie presents. White on Black hate, yes those are made, but not the other way around. I was not all that interested in this at first but it definitely got a whole lot better when they get the diamonds, I got off my far away seat and got real close to the TV, the scenes were just totally unexpected. I thought they were going to get away, ala a 1950's Clark Gable/John Wayne adventure (which are great also), but when I saw that caboose get separated and then it started rolling backwards I said, now thats something to watch! It's totally Wild Geese doomsday mission from that point on, except its a a hell of a lot bloodier. BTW, those are my favorite action movies, where all hell breaks loose and the "good guys" take a lot of casualties, much more edge of your seat that way! The only thing that I guess kept this from a restricted rating was at the time they didn't have one yet, this movie may have been a mover to placing ratings on movies because they came out shortly afterward, I mean it's that action and graphic packed. The ending is overlong with it's morality play but it's worth watching just for the town scene when the mission starts to go horribly wrong. Here's a spoiler, a white Afrikaner merc gets captured by the horde and is bent over a pool table without his pants, ummm if thats not hardcore I don't know what is (well, the white nun being raped was right up there also, and the white guy being doused with gasoline while being dragged from a motorcycle was also really brutal). I thought about The Road Warrior when I saw that part of the movie, it was probably inspired by this great unknown action flick, that was probably a little close to the truth on stuff that happened during the Congo's history. 9 of 10 very entertaining for action film viewers.
dark of the sun
mossgrymk29 January 2021
First half is solid if at times too brutal action/adventure (i.e. didn't much care for the execution of two kids by the cartoon Nazi) with paradoxically lovely location shooting in Jamaica, standing in for The Congo. Unfortunately, in the second half, director Jack Cardiff yields control to Ranald McDougal and Adrian Spies' too talky screenplay and the action has to find its way around dull scenes of soul searching and philosophizing over the Big Question of "What is the basic immmorality of a mercenary?" Sound a bit pretentious? Yeah, I thought so, too. As for the acting it's hit and miss. Rod Taylor is much better in the first half with his sardonic Aussie bit than he is in the second half with his blood streaked, breast beating bit. As for Jim Brown he is, as usual, wooden throughout. Peter Carstens does as well as can be expected with the stereotyped "Ve vill make you talk" storm trooper role and Yvette Mimieux is ok eye candy. Best performance is Kenneth More as the drunken doc (another cliche, but More embraces it well) . Give this one a C plus.
Simply Brilliant
torbjorn-431 January 2001
This movie is my all-time favorite by far. I saw it on PBS a few years back, and had to buy it. Now whenever I get bored I pull it out. This movie just can't go wrong. Just a few elements to keep in mind: Mercenaries, an Armoured Train, a Nazi, Diamonds, Goofy UN Soldiers, a Drunk doctor, Yvette Mimeux, Jim Brown, a Moral ending, a chain saw fight, and more then a few scenes and lines that make you wonder why you never heard of this movie before. Rod Taylor is perfect for the lead role in this movie with such lines as: "Why don't you put that Swastika back on....you've earned it!"...I can't say enough about this movie. The book by Wilbur Smith "Train From Katanga" is an excellent read as well.
Great Racially Charged Actioner.
meddlecore1 February 2011
This film is the story of two mercenaries- Captain Curry and his counterpart Ruffo- an American educated Congolese- as they set out on a mission to save $50 million worth of diamonds...and a few people's lives. The whole story takes place in UN occupied, wartorn Congo. The government forces are fighting against a rebel group called Simba, who control a large part of the territory by force, while the rest of the country is under protection by UN peacekeepers. The two men gather a group of mercenaries including a Nazi war criminal, an alcoholic doctor and the leader of a squad from the Congolese army with troops. Curry is paid $50000 dollars (seems like a pretty good deal for the Congolese President!!) to go behind enemy lines and bring back the diamonds, the superintendent responsible for overseeing the operation of the mine, and his beautiful daughter.
There is a lot of racial tension in this film. Especially between Curry and Ruffo, as Curry- at the beginning of the film at least- considers Ruffo his inferior based solely on his race. There are also a lot of racially tense moments involving Nazi war criminal turned mercenary, Heinlein, and pretty much everyone that isn't white. Curry always attempts to demean Ruffo , but Ruffo's positive outlook on life allows him to take the blows without being terribly bothered. In the long run though, Curry will realize that he is not giving Ruffo as much credit as he deserves. The two men were there for very different reasons- Curry to make money, and Ruffo to help the people suffering from the Simbanese oppression. Curry's ignorance wears off as the film progresses and he becomes closer to Ruffo, though these tensions do lead to the film's climax.
The film is set-up similar to Buster Keaton's "The General"- only more serious and less comedic in its form. But similarly, they acquire a mission, begin on their journey by train dealing with a few obstacles before reaching their destination, meeting some tense moments before escape, and the chase and conflict involved with making it back to safety. A very classically organized film, but one so absorbed with action and politics, that it makes for one helluva spectacular film. There are a lot of awesome action sequences.
This is a great politically oriented actioner, worth checking out. 7.5 out of 10.
There is a lot of racial tension in this film. Especially between Curry and Ruffo, as Curry- at the beginning of the film at least- considers Ruffo his inferior based solely on his race. There are also a lot of racially tense moments involving Nazi war criminal turned mercenary, Heinlein, and pretty much everyone that isn't white. Curry always attempts to demean Ruffo , but Ruffo's positive outlook on life allows him to take the blows without being terribly bothered. In the long run though, Curry will realize that he is not giving Ruffo as much credit as he deserves. The two men were there for very different reasons- Curry to make money, and Ruffo to help the people suffering from the Simbanese oppression. Curry's ignorance wears off as the film progresses and he becomes closer to Ruffo, though these tensions do lead to the film's climax.
The film is set-up similar to Buster Keaton's "The General"- only more serious and less comedic in its form. But similarly, they acquire a mission, begin on their journey by train dealing with a few obstacles before reaching their destination, meeting some tense moments before escape, and the chase and conflict involved with making it back to safety. A very classically organized film, but one so absorbed with action and politics, that it makes for one helluva spectacular film. There are a lot of awesome action sequences.
This is a great politically oriented actioner, worth checking out. 7.5 out of 10.
Blood and guts.
brogmiller25 November 2023
As with others of similar ilk, this is commonly referred to as a 'man's film' which essentially involves a lot of mucho-macho posturing, locking of horns and of course wholesale slaughter. Appealing as it does to the baser instincts it is certain to have its devotees and has actually been described by an earlier reviewer as 'compulsively re-watchable year after year' which is deeply disturbing.
Based upon the Simba rebellion, Wilbur Smith's novel is graphically brutal and savage but also has a romantic sub-plot which director Jack Cardiff and his adaptors have alas reduced to an absolute minimum whilst the somewhat tedious moralising fulfils no function but to give an impression of gravitas.
Kenneth More as a dipsomaniac doctor and André Morell's French official, an especially subtle performance, add a touch of class to proceedings.
It comes as no surprise that Martin Scorsese has listed this bloodthirsty opus among his 'guilty pleasures' whilst its undoubted influence on Quentin Tarantino is there for all to see, unfortunately.
Based upon the Simba rebellion, Wilbur Smith's novel is graphically brutal and savage but also has a romantic sub-plot which director Jack Cardiff and his adaptors have alas reduced to an absolute minimum whilst the somewhat tedious moralising fulfils no function but to give an impression of gravitas.
Kenneth More as a dipsomaniac doctor and André Morell's French official, an especially subtle performance, add a touch of class to proceedings.
It comes as no surprise that Martin Scorsese has listed this bloodthirsty opus among his 'guilty pleasures' whilst its undoubted influence on Quentin Tarantino is there for all to see, unfortunately.
gripping, superior action-adventure
Bogmeister18 July 2005
This film, which I came to know as "Dark of the Sun" (the better title, as most believe), is one of those compulsively re-watchable pictures year after year. I saw it as a kid but it was later, when I was around 30, when I caught it on a PBS TV station, that I was stunned to realize it is one of my favorite films of all time. I nearly became obsessed with it, recording it for repeat viewing (sometimes 2 days in a row), later buying a quality VHS version, and finally obtaining a widescreen version, a goal of the last half-dozen years. From the first frame, during the credits, when you hear the perfect jazz-influenced score by Jacques Loussier, to the haunting ending, this film draws you in and doesn't let go, inviting you back again & again. I say 'you' but of course I'm speaking of myself; I can't really explain the hold it has on me and what director Cardiff put together that connected so strongly with me. Many familiar with this film call it Rod Taylor's best work and I agree there. He epitomizes the man's man here, tougher, by necessity, than all the other tough guys around him; able to outfight anyone mano-a-mano; and, at the same time, able to command - demanding and keeping the loyalty of his men. Besides the obvious violence & gun-play, throughout are hints and mention of the savagery, the brutality of war, but nothing can or should faze him - until, that is, he loses his best friend. This is something, the one thing, he was unprepared for. And he loses it, he loses all his control, his command of himself and others. It's a fantastic ending. And, like many other scenes, complemented by that fabulous score, it calls me back over & over. Once again, I see that train car break off; again I see it slowly roll back to the waiting bloodthirsty Simbas, all the passengers doomed. I know what will happen, but it demands my attention again, as if in a recurring nightmare. I suppose this may be a great thing about films - sure, they may not ever make them like this again, but you always have these past adventures to savor as many times as you wish. And the films will always give you that same or similar emotional satisfaction you crave.
Great Action For '68
ewarn-15 September 2006
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.
Only an inexperienced cinephile would label this Rod Taylor's best
jacobs-greenwood19 August 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Before deciding whether to DVR this one, on TCM's Summer Under the Stars Rod Taylor day, I checked various sources for recommendations and found several that said The Mercenaries aka Dark of the Sun (1968) was Taylor's finest hour, his best performance etc. Well, I'm not sure why anyone would say so, especially if they'd seen him in Young Cassidy (1965), The Birds (1963), The Time Machine (1960), or in various character roles.
While Curry (Taylor) is unquestionably the one on whom the entire movie hangs and experiences an unconvincing transformation at its end, he's primarily a one-dimensional character. Taylor may have worked hard as an actor to perform the physicality required by the role, but that's about it. The movie itself seems just an excuse for some colorful over-the-top violence, directed by the Oscar winning cinematographer Jack Cardiff. The dialogue is pedestrian and some of the scene setups are ludicrous, though some may suffer from the ratings board's required cuts.
I recently watched Blood Diamond (2006), and while I would hardly recommend it either, at least it's easy to understand the motives behind the gratuitous violence in that one. In Dark of the Sun (1968), the reasons for the Simbas actions aren't explained, or they're just assumed to be savages, which makes the filmmakers' narrative rather racist. While they could have cast this viewpoint on the German (Peter Carsten) who wears a swastika, he's more of an opportunist than anything else.
As for the rest of the cast, Jim Brown plays Jim Brown, the altruistic "man of action" character he played throughout much of his career. Yvette Mimieux doesn't really add much besides her pretty face - a pawn between Curry and the Nazi, and Kenneth More plays the stereotypical drunk doctor who realizes just in time that he's needed and seeks redemption in his final act.
While Curry (Taylor) is unquestionably the one on whom the entire movie hangs and experiences an unconvincing transformation at its end, he's primarily a one-dimensional character. Taylor may have worked hard as an actor to perform the physicality required by the role, but that's about it. The movie itself seems just an excuse for some colorful over-the-top violence, directed by the Oscar winning cinematographer Jack Cardiff. The dialogue is pedestrian and some of the scene setups are ludicrous, though some may suffer from the ratings board's required cuts.
I recently watched Blood Diamond (2006), and while I would hardly recommend it either, at least it's easy to understand the motives behind the gratuitous violence in that one. In Dark of the Sun (1968), the reasons for the Simbas actions aren't explained, or they're just assumed to be savages, which makes the filmmakers' narrative rather racist. While they could have cast this viewpoint on the German (Peter Carsten) who wears a swastika, he's more of an opportunist than anything else.
As for the rest of the cast, Jim Brown plays Jim Brown, the altruistic "man of action" character he played throughout much of his career. Yvette Mimieux doesn't really add much besides her pretty face - a pawn between Curry and the Nazi, and Kenneth More plays the stereotypical drunk doctor who realizes just in time that he's needed and seeks redemption in his final act.
a wild ride
whitecargo14 October 2000
Call it "Dark of the Sun" (the better title, I think) or "The Mercenaries"--but under any title this film moves fast. A great example of a guy's type of film where the editing, direction, and storyline all compliment one another in the effort towards a fast-paced action flick. It a raw, gritty, and satisfying action yarn. Rod Taylor is really choice in this role: he was easily in his best shape ever and utterly confident as the hardboiled mercenary leader. Jim Brown is fine as well as his sidekick. The two make a good combination together.
"Dark of the Sun" is also one of the more memorable films involving a train as a locus for the action. Train films have a charisma all their own, in my opinion, and this one is no exception. In this venue, a band of mercenaries utilizes a steam engine to blitz across the border into rebel-held territory. The story is set in South Africa and they been enlisted to to rescue citizens cut off by the revolt and also, to nab some diamonds for themselves, of course.
However, dont think that with this storyline its at all meatless in emotion values, or gratuituous in terms of its violence.
With regard to emotion, there are definitely some nice story elements and a chance for the actors to apply their skill. There are poignant little moments of humanness amid all the tumult. The characters suit, and have been devised (by the author Wilbur Smith) to correctly add balance and measure to the story. Its not all gunfire and explosions. The violence is kept within acceptable, old-school bounds and the focus is on heroism and loyalty rather than sadism.
There is an interesting, thought-provoking subplot to the story that eventually factors into the conclusion of the movie. This thread comes from the fact that one of the mercenaries is an ex-Nazi. As a mercenary, he really "enjoys his work". But his views raise all sorts of disturbing questions about prejudice and hate and "where to draw the line" for Rod Taylor, who, as leader of the mercenaries, has to set an example of ruthlessness. The two develop a vicious enmity and finally go at it 'mano a mano'. The end of the film is a surprise "man learns better" type of ending--but still quite satisfying.
The film overall is a better-than-average-quality product, and definitely a must-see guy-movie; its a 1960's action pic that does a better job of keeping you interested and absorbed than any twenty action pictures made more recently.
Believe it!
"Dark of the Sun" is also one of the more memorable films involving a train as a locus for the action. Train films have a charisma all their own, in my opinion, and this one is no exception. In this venue, a band of mercenaries utilizes a steam engine to blitz across the border into rebel-held territory. The story is set in South Africa and they been enlisted to to rescue citizens cut off by the revolt and also, to nab some diamonds for themselves, of course.
However, dont think that with this storyline its at all meatless in emotion values, or gratuituous in terms of its violence.
With regard to emotion, there are definitely some nice story elements and a chance for the actors to apply their skill. There are poignant little moments of humanness amid all the tumult. The characters suit, and have been devised (by the author Wilbur Smith) to correctly add balance and measure to the story. Its not all gunfire and explosions. The violence is kept within acceptable, old-school bounds and the focus is on heroism and loyalty rather than sadism.
There is an interesting, thought-provoking subplot to the story that eventually factors into the conclusion of the movie. This thread comes from the fact that one of the mercenaries is an ex-Nazi. As a mercenary, he really "enjoys his work". But his views raise all sorts of disturbing questions about prejudice and hate and "where to draw the line" for Rod Taylor, who, as leader of the mercenaries, has to set an example of ruthlessness. The two develop a vicious enmity and finally go at it 'mano a mano'. The end of the film is a surprise "man learns better" type of ending--but still quite satisfying.
The film overall is a better-than-average-quality product, and definitely a must-see guy-movie; its a 1960's action pic that does a better job of keeping you interested and absorbed than any twenty action pictures made more recently.
Believe it!
Under rated mercenary-action movie
condo94920 February 2008
Warning: Spoilers
The movie was well cast with tough Australian born Rod Taylor as the mercenary Captain Curry. Dressed appropriately in his Congo Auxiliary forces uniform right down to the rolex watch so common to special forces personnel in (at that time-late 60's) the Vietnam era. The action is good but sporadic. The conflict over the mission, what each character represented, and the ending are too diverse. The distractions with respect to asides within the movie were not necessary and made the film longer than necessary. The movie would have been better if they did not change the ending used in the Wilbur Smith novel. In the novel (as I recall) Capt. Curry and the the girl (Claire) went to live in Paris with some of the diamonds they recovered.
violent
SnoopyStyle12 January 2021
It's civil war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Capt. Bruce Curry (Rod Taylor) and Sgt. Ruffo (Jim Brown) are hired by President Ubi to retrieve $50 million in diamonds cut off by the separatist Simba army. It's a mess of UN forces, civilians, and rebels. They have three days.
These are bad people. Some are downright horrible like the Nazi. They keep trying to make them the white saviors. It doesn't fix anything and in fact, I lose a bit of respect for the movie. With the three hours delay, Curry should be organizing defense around the train while he waited. He certainly wouldn't have time to go retrieve the nuns. He would have men stationed around the vault and block off the road. They could have ambushed the rebels at a convenient point of their choosing. They could have armed a few of the civilians. They're just not that good at being mercenaries. On the positive side, there is a good amount of action, explosions, and shooting. It's plenty violent for action fans although there are a lot of native cannon fodder. Attacking the town is a bit Rambo-like. It also doesn't do anything to dissuade seeing Africans as savages.
These are bad people. Some are downright horrible like the Nazi. They keep trying to make them the white saviors. It doesn't fix anything and in fact, I lose a bit of respect for the movie. With the three hours delay, Curry should be organizing defense around the train while he waited. He certainly wouldn't have time to go retrieve the nuns. He would have men stationed around the vault and block off the road. They could have ambushed the rebels at a convenient point of their choosing. They could have armed a few of the civilians. They're just not that good at being mercenaries. On the positive side, there is a good amount of action, explosions, and shooting. It's plenty violent for action fans although there are a lot of native cannon fodder. Attacking the town is a bit Rambo-like. It also doesn't do anything to dissuade seeing Africans as savages.
The Code of the Mercenary
thinker169126 June 2006
If ever there was a dramatic story which might personify the rough and tough films of Rod Taylor, it would be, Dark of The Sun (Also called The Mercenaries). Hired by the President of the African Congo, Captain Curry (Rod Taylor) is a mercenary who is instructed he has three days to journey three hundred miles upland on a special train, through rebel held territory, to rescue trapped Congo citizens. Actually that is the cover story. Truth is, he is sent to recover a cache of cut diamonds worth fifty million dollars. Opposing him is a fixed time schedule, United Nations air security forces and the "Simbas" an extremely lethal group of African soldiers, led by their merciless leader, Moses who's intent on bringing destruction to the country. Curry, has a couple of aids, namely Striker Blue Force, and Jim Brown who aptly plays Sergeant Ruffo an experienced and well educated Congo soldier and the ruthless, unpredictable ex-Nazi named Captain Henlein. (Peter Carsten) Veteran actor Kenneth More plays Dr. Wreid, as the group heads directly and literally into the Lion's mouth. With explosive action, and war torn conflicts, combined with raping, looting and nationwide destruction, this exciting human drama which includes, beautiful, Yvette Mimieux as Claire is played to the hilt. A superb film the likes of which has established this one as a true classic. *****
The mineral riches of Africa
bkoganbing21 November 2014
Dark Of The Sun is one superior action film showing the difficulties of the African liberation period of the 50s and 60s. A whole continent of nations gained their independence from European powers no longer able to govern. In many places the struggle goes on with different players and different issues. No place was more bloody than the Congo now renamed as the Republic of Zaire.
The mineral riches of Africa however are still controlled by the west and nobody wants to lose their investment. Rod Taylor and Jim Brown are a couple of mercenary soldiers who are asked by diamond merchants to retrieve a cache of diamonds from a small town and by the way rescue the people there if you can.
The conflict of Taylor and Brown and their motivations are what sets the story going. Taylor is strictly for hire on a cash basis. Brown likes money, but he's from Africa, got a scholarship for an education in the USA and wants to see democracy and stability in his country. They like, but don't quite get the other.
Into the mix comes Peter Karsten a former Nazi who proudly wears a swastika necklace that Taylor orders him to can. He's absorbed all the values of the country he formerly served.
All of them have to face the rebels who are a bloodthirsty lot. Of all the places that was exploited the former Belgian Congo was far and away the worst. A lot of rage is fueling these people as you'll see in this film.
Yvette Mimieux is one of the rescued people and she ignites a lot of sexual tension between all three men. There's also a nice performance from Kenneth More who is an alcoholic doctor in the John Ford tradition.
Something Jack Cardiff picked up no doubt from Ford when he took over direction of Young Cassidy. The whole espirit de corps notions among the mercenaries is pure Ford and Taylor's breach of that is also dealt with in the film. What the breach is I won't say, but Taylor had just provocation.
Dark Of The Sun holds up well as a portrait of Africa in turmoil in the Sixties. As for the diamond connection, that's still alive and thriving as a viewing of Leonardo DiCaprio's Blood Diamond will show.
In fact they really ought to be viewed back to back. Was Jim Brown a bit too optimistic?
The mineral riches of Africa however are still controlled by the west and nobody wants to lose their investment. Rod Taylor and Jim Brown are a couple of mercenary soldiers who are asked by diamond merchants to retrieve a cache of diamonds from a small town and by the way rescue the people there if you can.
The conflict of Taylor and Brown and their motivations are what sets the story going. Taylor is strictly for hire on a cash basis. Brown likes money, but he's from Africa, got a scholarship for an education in the USA and wants to see democracy and stability in his country. They like, but don't quite get the other.
Into the mix comes Peter Karsten a former Nazi who proudly wears a swastika necklace that Taylor orders him to can. He's absorbed all the values of the country he formerly served.
All of them have to face the rebels who are a bloodthirsty lot. Of all the places that was exploited the former Belgian Congo was far and away the worst. A lot of rage is fueling these people as you'll see in this film.
Yvette Mimieux is one of the rescued people and she ignites a lot of sexual tension between all three men. There's also a nice performance from Kenneth More who is an alcoholic doctor in the John Ford tradition.
Something Jack Cardiff picked up no doubt from Ford when he took over direction of Young Cassidy. The whole espirit de corps notions among the mercenaries is pure Ford and Taylor's breach of that is also dealt with in the film. What the breach is I won't say, but Taylor had just provocation.
Dark Of The Sun holds up well as a portrait of Africa in turmoil in the Sixties. As for the diamond connection, that's still alive and thriving as a viewing of Leonardo DiCaprio's Blood Diamond will show.
In fact they really ought to be viewed back to back. Was Jim Brown a bit too optimistic?
Sadly overlooked war movie
bigguy20117 May 2011
This action film was BY FAR the favorite war movie of the foreign volunteers with whom I served in the Rhodesian Army. We probably all thought of ourselves as Bruce Curry clones.
Once, when on a leave from a bush trip, I saw that this film, under the title The Mercenaries, was showing in a Salisbury theatre so, of course, I had to go see it. I arrived slightly late and the house lights were already dark, so I took my seat and enjoyed the ride.
When it was over and the house lights came on, I looked around and saw that probably EVERY one of the foreigners who happened to be in town at that time was in the audience with me. Some of them were even going to stay and watch it again.
Once, when on a leave from a bush trip, I saw that this film, under the title The Mercenaries, was showing in a Salisbury theatre so, of course, I had to go see it. I arrived slightly late and the house lights were already dark, so I took my seat and enjoyed the ride.
When it was over and the house lights came on, I looked around and saw that probably EVERY one of the foreigners who happened to be in town at that time was in the audience with me. Some of them were even going to stay and watch it again.
Could of been great....
angelsunchained2 January 2016
The Dark of The Sun starts off great and could of stayed that way if not for bad dubbing and very stupid scenarios. The movie takes place in Africa's Congo during the brutal Simba Revolt which is portrayed realistically in all its brutal violence. Rod Taylor is excellent as Captain Curry a mercenary with a heart of gold. Jim Brown places Taylor's sidekick and the two play very well off each other. There is also an ex-Nazi mercenary thrown in for drama. Here is where things go.as astray. The German actor is clearly dubbed in and the dubbing and voice over is terrible. Supposedly, the Nazi is needed to pull off their mission, but does nothing but attack and try to kill Taylor throughout the film. The ending is extremely stupid and non-believable. After killing JimBrown's character and stealing the diamonds, the ex-Nazi killed by Rod Taylor. Taylor then tells his military aid to arrest him for murder. That is the ending. Stupid as heck. Dark of the Sun could have been a truly great action film, it ends up as just an okay one.
Diamonds Are a Man's Best Friend
wes-connors23 September 2015
In the frequently fighting Democratic Republic of the Congo, manly mercenary Rod Taylor (as Bruce Curry) arrives to consider a dangerous assignment. He is asked to organize a crew and retrieve $50,000,000 in diamonds from rebel territory. A relatively cheap hire, Mr. Taylor doubles the offer of $25,000 and takes the job. Considering the fortune in diamonds, he shouldn't have accepted anything less than a million. Chief among Taylor's crew is brawny Jim Brown (as Ruffo), his right hand man. The main recruits are: nasty neo-Nazi Peter Carsten (as Henlein), handsome young Olivier Despax (as Surrier) and alcoholic doctor Kenneth More (as Wreid). Along the way, they pick up pretty blonde Yvette Mimieux (as Claire), who appears to have survived a rebel assault. Men like to yank off Ms. Mimieux' clothes...
While tame by today's standards, "Dark of the Sun" goes to the edge in its depiction of violence...
Young children are shown after they are shot, a young man is raped, another torched, some pierced It is an action-filled, quick-paced story. Accepting the violence is necessary part of the story (and the camera moves away during the most gruesome moments), the story has some problems. Expert cinematographer-turned-director Jack Cardiff and his editor Ernest Walter are often too choppy. The man committing double suicide is nicely done, from establishing shots to a final shot; many other events are brief and presented without detail. There are some extremely exciting sequences that are made less exciting in their presentation. Original novelist Wilbur Smith's basic story, involving the lead actors and their relationship with the Congo, is a good one. Jacques Loussier's music and the film's sound are obvious assets.
***** Dark of the Sun (The Mercenaries) (1968-02-08) Jack Cardiff ~ Rod Taylor, Jim Brown, Yvette Mimieux, Peter Carsten
While tame by today's standards, "Dark of the Sun" goes to the edge in its depiction of violence...
Young children are shown after they are shot, a young man is raped, another torched, some pierced It is an action-filled, quick-paced story. Accepting the violence is necessary part of the story (and the camera moves away during the most gruesome moments), the story has some problems. Expert cinematographer-turned-director Jack Cardiff and his editor Ernest Walter are often too choppy. The man committing double suicide is nicely done, from establishing shots to a final shot; many other events are brief and presented without detail. There are some extremely exciting sequences that are made less exciting in their presentation. Original novelist Wilbur Smith's basic story, involving the lead actors and their relationship with the Congo, is a good one. Jacques Loussier's music and the film's sound are obvious assets.
***** Dark of the Sun (The Mercenaries) (1968-02-08) Jack Cardiff ~ Rod Taylor, Jim Brown, Yvette Mimieux, Peter Carsten
Now this is the way an ACTION genre film should always be developed
Ed-Shullivan6 May 2022
Great story line - Mercenaries are sent in to the middle of the Congo under the guise of rescuing the village people but their real mission is to recover 50 million dollars of diamonds. Good versus evil with an undertone of racial discrimination.
Superb cast - Robert Taylor, Jim Brown, Yvette Mimieux, Kenneth Moore, and the evil doer Peter Carsten.
Brilliant cinematography - the color scheme is very pleasing to the audience's sense of comfort and appeal
Screenwriting - greed, lust, good versus evil, this film has it all,
Action - non stop
I give this 54 year old film a well deserved 8 out of 10 IMDb rating, Now this is a true action/adventure film.
Superb cast - Robert Taylor, Jim Brown, Yvette Mimieux, Kenneth Moore, and the evil doer Peter Carsten.
Brilliant cinematography - the color scheme is very pleasing to the audience's sense of comfort and appeal
Screenwriting - greed, lust, good versus evil, this film has it all,
Action - non stop
I give this 54 year old film a well deserved 8 out of 10 IMDb rating, Now this is a true action/adventure film.
Rumble in the Jungle
rpvanderlinden27 January 2012
I first saw "Dark of the Sun" when I stumbled across it on TV. I was prompted to phone a friend and urge him to switch on this wild movie I was watching. Yesterday I saw the letterboxed version, and it's every bit as good as I remember it, plus it's not just a bone-head turn-on, but a fairly intelligent piece of cinema with an introspective hero and interesting themes. It reminds me of the Leonardo DiCaprio flick "Blood Diamond". Both films portray mercenaries, rough and cynical men who are on the edge and are pushed toward a state of grace.
It's a guy thing. "Dark of the Sun", on the surface, is a violent, kick-ass action yarn about two mercenaries (Rod Taylor and Jim Brown) heading by train deep into the interior of the Congo to retrieve a cache of diamonds and, if convenient, some white refugees. A savage civil war is going full tilt. There's a nasty Nazi with an agenda, lots of blood-letting, total breakdown of law and order, wild, drunken black revolutionaries raping nuns and sodomizing young white guys. Polite it is not. Lots of brawn, muscle and sweat. It's as if the director (Jack Cardiff) grabbed a megaphone and screamed at the actors and extras: " Alright! Are you ready to ROCK?" To say that the action is energetic is an understatement. To quell your misgivings, though, I should add that much of the goings-on has a frenetic comic book feel. The poster for the movie actually gives a good idea what the movie is like. If you're a fan of Roberto Rodriguez, particularly his "Planet Terror", this movie should be right up your alley. I admit that there's a place in cinema and in my heart for heads-on bad taste.
It's a guy thing. "Dark of the Sun", on the surface, is a violent, kick-ass action yarn about two mercenaries (Rod Taylor and Jim Brown) heading by train deep into the interior of the Congo to retrieve a cache of diamonds and, if convenient, some white refugees. A savage civil war is going full tilt. There's a nasty Nazi with an agenda, lots of blood-letting, total breakdown of law and order, wild, drunken black revolutionaries raping nuns and sodomizing young white guys. Polite it is not. Lots of brawn, muscle and sweat. It's as if the director (Jack Cardiff) grabbed a megaphone and screamed at the actors and extras: " Alright! Are you ready to ROCK?" To say that the action is energetic is an understatement. To quell your misgivings, though, I should add that much of the goings-on has a frenetic comic book feel. The poster for the movie actually gives a good idea what the movie is like. If you're a fan of Roberto Rodriguez, particularly his "Planet Terror", this movie should be right up your alley. I admit that there's a place in cinema and in my heart for heads-on bad taste.
Racist
dr-bodart10 April 2006
The racism in this disgraceful production amidst breathtaking scenery follows the pattern of similar productions from its source and time. We see hordes of Africans slaughtering innocent whites and are barely spared the scenes of these being fried and eaten. To offset this, we have two official "blacks" whose education, intelligence and kindness beats anything even the best of the latter might have been capable of. We have the heroic, clean, brave Englishman as Captain Curry who in the end kills his crooked and brutal ex-Wehrmacht German subordinate, while the savages mangle the cowardly young French-(Belgian ?) lieutenant. To make the production more acceptable to German audiences, Captain Curry becomes Captain Krüger, barely credible with him being a British stereotype, carrying exclusively equipment of that origin.
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