Reviews

After reading the first review of this film I was tempted to say that the reviewer should have gone to Specsavers. Talking about 'the lovely Rita Tushingham' made me think this. She may have been a good actress, but lovely she certainly wasn't. Mike Sarne used this film as a vehicle to prove that not only he couldn't sing, but couldn't act either. The one saving grace for me as someone who worked in Bethnal Green around this time the film was made was the jogging of my memory of streets, neighbourhood and people long gone. The sight of Doris Hare belittling Bernard Lee at the family meal table was as embarrassing as the bedroom clinch they later shared. The scene where Lee sets light to the Christmas decorations is just laughable and how Sarne and Tushingham spent time canoodling in a derelict bombed out building probably running alive with rats was as ridiculous as casting John Slater as the local gangster. Like Lee who played an escapologist (not a very good one at that)who struggled to free himself of the chains he was bound by, I couldn't get out of the cinema quick enough!

If ever a DVD should be prosecuted under the Trades Description Act this is it. To actually be released under the banner of 'The Best Of British' defies logic as it is mind blowingly awful from start to finish. There are few saving graces apart from a chance to revisit a London now long gone in the mists of time and see the blossoming beauty of the lovely Francesca Annis who shares her screen time mainly with the likable Colin Campbell. Bernard Lee has the best line after turning the tables on the smarmy Derek Bond and Erika Remberg's failed blackmail attempt, but the appearance of Nigel Green who spent the whole of his role drinking and stereotyping a drunken Irishman seemed utterly pointless. To have David Lodge as a lothario was another case of miscasting and I spent a lot of the time watching the film to see if Inigo Jackson was wearing a syrup or as they say in the States, a rug. I know times change and one shouldn't be too harsh on a film made nearly 50 years ago, but this was probably a film just as boring in 1964 as it is today. The less said about the Heather Sears role as a kind of forerunner hippy the better; her scenes seemed to go on forever and anyone who watched this on a Saturday night out would have wished they's spent a Saturday night in rather than going to see this codswallop. This was also the last film appearance of Freddie Mills who died a year later in mysterious circumstances. Rumours that his demise came after a disgruntled patron had seen this film were apparently unfounded.

This series was recently undeservedly brought back from obscurity by the Yesterday Satellite Channel in the UK. It is totally laughable and most of the actors must have auditioned to see how much they could overact. It was so bad that I daren't miss an episode of this hogwash. Several of the cast set out to show how not to act, but the Oscar winner was probably Brian Pringle playing a priest working for the French underground who would have been better employed by London Underground. He was simply appalling and it was a relief when he was shot after a couple of episodes. He was joined by so many of the cast in their over the top clichéd portrayals of German officers, Frenchmen and upper class English women. Trevor Peacock invented the new method of acting by delivering as much of his dialogue through clenched teeth, but at least he looked realistic whereas Jane Snowden had a fresh hairdo and makeup in every scene and also a steady supply of new skirts and blouses. The production spoilt itself in that they used authentic German armour and aircraft but let itself down as in the case of the women being shown as glamour pusses instead of tough secret agents. Jane Asher found her true calling when she turned to cake making as she really took the cake as the boss of the British base of the SOE operations. Kate Buffery was often seen smoking in the series, but I venture to say that she never smoked at all in 'real life.' I saw the DVD on sale in HMV for the princely sum of £55 for the complete series which could earn many of the 'actors' some royalties, but personally I'd put most of them plus the director in front of a firing squad! Another series along similar lines was 'Secret Army' which was remorselessly spoofed and spoilt by 'allo, allo', but 'Wish Me Luck' didn't need to be spoofed as it became a comedy in it's own right. The French locations couldn't save this series which was spoilt by poor acting, intrusive music and abysmal scriptwriting. Why did I watch it? My Resistance was low!

This film has never to my knowledge been available officially on video or DVD and it's a film that has stayed in my mind for years as one of those I always wanted to see again. Well, the opportunity arose recently and I was transported back 48 years or so ago to my local Odeon where I first saw it. It doesn't disappoint and though somewhat dated it still makes me chuckle and the songs are not bad either. The film has a feel good factor and has a plethora of well known British actors of the time including David Lodge, Harry Fowler, Lionel Jeffries and the lovely Anne Aubrey. The token American role is given to William Bendix who is very convincing as an Irish Sergeant Major. The star role is of course the likable Anthony Newley who went on to become a big success in the States as well as the UK and many people of my age group would like to have a DVD of this film, but perhaps they're waiting till we're all dead before they release it!

Americans will be pleased to hear that they are now incorporating subtitles on remote controls so that they can understand films like this which they perceive to be in a foreign language. Strange how the English never need subtitles apart from when Marlon Brando or Sylvester Stallone are on screen. The film was spoilt for me by the ridiculous toupee worn by Bob Hoskins (probably hired from Tony Bennett), the immense eyebrows of David Hemmings (The film's budget didn't run to a pair of garden shears to cut them) and the fact that professional Cockney Ray Winstone was once again playing professional Cockney Ray Winstone. Add the fact that Michael Caine was once again playing Michael Caine, I felt somewhat unfulfilled by this film despite all the gushing praise lavished on it on the preceding pages. I am not alone in my not liking of this film as someone at my office today on responding to my query about whether he had seen this said quote, "Yeah, bleedin' miserable rubbish."

The only thing wrong with this film that it was devoid of any actors and actresses but it had a wonderful comedic effect due to the overdubbing of the English language on to the soundtrack. All the men sounded like they were doing Peter Sellers impersonations as Inspector Clouseau. One of those films worth watching because it is simply abysmal and is the kind of movie that sure must have gone straight to video within 24 hours of its release. I don't know how they had the cheek to have any credits at the end as nobody deserved one iota of credit for this junk as one of the other viewers noted, 'a waste of celluloid.'

I thought that this was a laudable effort for a low budget film. I'm a great one for authenticity and it was great to see actual German half tracks being used instead of the American White vehicles usually used because the film company couldn't get hold of the real mccoy. I enjoyed the film but what spoilt it for me to some degree was the fact that Deacon actually knew one of the German soldiers that the small group captured. That was stretching feasibility somewhat and spoilt for me an otherwise good story. The English Pilot wasn't played by an Englishman and it didn't take too long to suss out that the actor was an American. He just didn't sound right. Maybe he would to American ears but not to English ears in my opinion.

Most of us kids growing up in the 40's or 50's were western buffs but this was one that had escaped me until seeing on the Movies for Men Channel today. I loved the film's story, cinematography as well as the superb casting of Ben Johnson and Harry Carey Jr. in the lead roles along with the ever dependable Ward Bond. Apparently this movie was the inspiration for the later television series 'Wagon Train' which featured Bond once again as the boss of the wagon trains heading west. Johnson steals the film with his horse riding skills and it's nice to see an actor doing his own stunts like Ben does in this movie. Other notables include the lovely Joanne Dru as Denver and an early non speaking role for James Arness who later became famous for his Marshal Matt Dillon role in 'Gunsmoke.' If you like films of this genre you can't fail to like this one.

It's a shame that someone so idolised by many kids as well as parents should demean himself in appearing in this exploitative, bandwagon-jumping tripe. I often wonder if Mr Wisdom in his later years looked back at his excuse for a film with any pride. At least Sally Geeson had the decency to retire to doing something worthwhile after appearing in this low budget rubbish. A cameo by some long forgotten pop called the Pretty Things cannot rescue the film from it's awfulness. If you want 60's nostalgia invest in 'Here We Go Round The Mulberry Bush' instead, starring Barry Evans and Sally's sister Judy instead.

What I really can't understand is that someone as young as Dakota Fanning can act in a film like this but by British certification standards she would not be allowed to watch this movie. As for the film it had loose ends, red herrings and enough clichés to make the hour and a half pass slowly and make the viewer wonder why the actor of De Niro's calibre would agree to star in it. What was the point of the male neighbour being friendly to Dakota Fanning? What was the point of the parking ticket from the police officer? What was the point of the appearance of the neighbour's little girl? What was the point of the film?

Finally this superb post war British thriller has got the DVD release it deserves. It is on the 'London Boxset'which as been released in June by Optimum Releases. Sadly no 'extras' on the box set, but at least it has at long last given a great film the recognition it deserves. It would have been nice if two of the surviving stars Earl Cameron and Leslie Phillips could have been interviewed on their recollections on working with Bonar Coleano, James Robertyson Justice, Renee Asherton and Susan Shaw. The box set includes The Yellow Balloon, The Small World Of Sammy Lee, Sparrows Can't Sing and two shorts in 'Les Bicyclettes De Belsize' and 'The London Nobody Knows.' The box set gets 8 out of 10 from me, but that's mainly down to the 'Pool Of London.'

For anyone interested in Scotland Yard, London of the 60's and a veritable conveyor belt of some of the best British character actors, this box set is a must have. Starring the ever likable John Gregson as Commander George Gideon (who never monopolises the story lines) and the handsome Alexander Davion as Det. Inspector David Keen this takes you back to the era of run down streets, policemen still visible on those streets, old cars, motor scooters, pork pie hats and ersatz Rock 'n Roll. Amongst those appearing are George Cole, Ray Barratt, Harry Fowler, George Sewell, Justine Lord, Victor Maddern, Sydney Tafler, Ray Brooks, Jack Hedley, Angela Douglas, Patrick Allen, Eric Barker, Alfie Bass, Bryan Pringle, Ann Lynn and an extremely young looking John Hurt and a rarity for the time, just one token American in Donald Sutherland. A mention also for the magnificent Derren Nesbitt who turns up in the first episode 'The Tin God', I've never seen an actor use such exaggerated hand movements as he did in every appearance he ever made on celluloid. Worth the price of the box set alone to watch his performance!

I gave it 9 instead of 10 stars due to two things; the so called 'special features' are quite laughable, i.e. The opening credits without the theme tune, plus the fade to adverts being considered as worthy of inclusion when they are of a length of a minute if that. The booklet included cannot be read unless you possess the vision of Superman, bifocals or a magnifying glass, plus why show photographs in colour when the series is black and white? Having said that it is well worth buying; maybe it doesn't contain the stark realism of 'Z Cars' or the tough 'up and at 'em' style of 'The Sweeney' but nevertheless it is a series to cherish and while away those long winter's nights with.

*Although I derided the 'special features' on the first disc there is in fact, a very long stills gallery from the series on the second disk showing many of the actors and actresses plus scenes from the series plus a soundtrack of different music heard in the programme. If you love Scotland Yard type police series then this is the one for you; you'll be transported back to a world and London of the mid 60's.

This is a visual jukebox of some of the biggest Country stars of the 1960's, including four true giants of the genre, Marty Robbins, Merle Haggard, Buck Owens and Don Gibson. The usual inane plot shouldn't detract from the fact that there is a lot of good country music included in the film. Leo G. Carroll of'The Man from Uncle' fame is partnered with Marilyn Maxwell whose car breaks down and Marty Robbins tour bus stops by to help and he also gives them two tickets for the Grand Ole Opry on which he is the star performer. The main source of irritation in the film comes from Gonzalez-Gonzalez a would be Mexican funny man who unfortunately ain't funny. Amongst the song Robbins sings are 'Singing the Blues', 'Tonight Carmen', 'Green Green Grass of Home' and 'El Paso.'

It beats me how anyone can rate this film very highly. It is no understatement to call it far fetched. How the guy managed in such a short space of time to construct a wooden maze of underground rooms is quite ridiculous or maybe he was the greatest carpenter since Jesus. The obese sheriff played by Hoyt Axton looked like a refugee from the Jerry Springer show and I found the blonde female lead Jennifer Jason Leigh rather plain. We have an expression here in the U.K. 'mutton done up as lamb' which suits her perfectly. It wasn't all bad however, I enjoyed it immensely when the end credits rolled and 'The End' came up was quite brilliant for this hotch potch of a T.V. movie which if it had been a cinematic release would have been put on video and in discount stores in no time at all.

How anyone can find this piece of garbage remotely erotic is beyond me. The women are almost weighed down with excess silicone as much as by the nonsenical 'story' and daft 'script.' It also has one of the most lacklustre girl on girl shower scenes ever put on celluloid. The Director seems to have instructed the 'actresses' not to let any kiss last longer than 2 seconds and make the scene completely devoid of eroticism. He not only succeeds wonderfully in this respect but with all the other scenes as well. Is it only the Europeans who can make Erotica and the Americans Porn and soft porn rubbish? I think I know the answer after sitting through this absolute junk.

Marty Robbins was a great singer who was gifted with one of the greatest voices to ever grace any kind of music. He made a few films but most are just vehicles for his singing. This has him in a western role and is O.K. as long as you don't expect 'Shane' 'High Noon' or 'The Wild Bunch.' It was made in the 70's when sadly the western was in decline and would have probably gone down better in the 40's or 50's. Decidedly better than his other western movie 'Ballad of a Gunfighter'which must have had a budget of about 30 dollars and probably took as much at the box office. Marty's fans however will treasure having any movie by their man.

One only has to read through the innumerable reviews to see what a superb job was done by everybody involved in this faultless production. The cast, the cinema-photography and the music are all stunning. I like to watch it as often as possible to give me a feel good factor. If I had to take one film on a desert island it would have to be this: it has everything in my opinion. It is sheer perfection. It will always be the pinnacle of Colin Firth's and Jennifer Ehle's career as well as Ben Whitlow's and most of the rest of the cast. It also led me to read the book for the first time. Thankyou BBC and A&E and everybody involved. I have since bought 'Emma', and 'Sense and Sensibilty' but they are not in the same league as this outstanding epic.