From that late 50s period where John Davis was obsessed with the international market. I don't think anyone quite liked this - it's always referred to derisively - but it's quite a good little B thriller. Joseph Losey originally developed it and he would've done a better job but Guy Green's handling is fine.
The two British leads, Richard Attenborough and John Gregson, are the baddies, or antagonists - Attenborough is one of his snivelling cowards, here more channelling Peter Lorre (the film has a 40s Warners vibe) while Gregon's pilot you think is going to be heroic and he is for a bit but he has a crack up which is actually really interesting (though he redeems himself by offering up himself as shark food).
It probably shouldve been in colour. There's definitely too many characters - I kept saying "you could consolidate". Like Eva Barok is a potential love interest for Eddie Constantine (billed fifth or something but the star) but then he hooks up with Pier Angeli. What's the German do apart from give advice how to use a radio? The cop escorting Constantine could've been combined with Attenborough. Or killed. Jean Anderson is just there. Not as skilfully written as say Five Came Back.
But there's no better ticking clock than an atomic bomb test!
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