One of the lesser known guys-on-a-mission-to-blow-something-up movies of the 60s, despite having an all star cast and being based on a true story. Indeed, it’s box office reception was a bit of a disappointment to MGM, who were , understandably, expecting a block buster.
Part of the trouble is the structure, I think – the first 26 minutes has nothing really to do with the mission to blow up the underground factory, it’s all about blowing up an above ground factory, with the Brits figuring it out something is going on, and the Germans perfecting their technology, then the British blowing up the factory. Then the film really starts with John Mills and Richard Johnson discussing the underground rocket factory followed by George Peppard’s arrival. (I don’t know why that first bit is there - you’d think they’d cut it but the scenes include Trevor Howard, Richard Todd, Paul Henreid and Helmut Dantine so presumably they didn’t want to lose any stars from their all-star cast).
Once the mission gets underway it’s really exciting, with a very strong story. There are constant surprises: Sophia Loren being killed off when we think she’s going to be okay, Tom Counrtney getting in trouble then getting out of trouble then back in trouble again (his scene with Anthony Quayle is the best in the movie), the finale with George Peppard and Jeremy Kemp desperately trying to open the hatches in time while trying to evade detection… and they all die! Full on!
Some clunky bits: Trevor Howard’s character is a wearisome antagonist (“that’s silly”, “that wouldn’t happen”, “don’t be ridiculous”), Loren’s drunk scene goes on too long and she says the words “my children” too many times. But the cast are all pretty good – Quayle is a formidable opponent, Lili Palmer a scary resistance fighter, Peppard a sturdy hero, Richard Johnson making the role of a paper pusher actually interesting. And the underground chasm is an impressive set worthy of James Bond.
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