Bernard Borderie, on the evidence of this film, and the half-dozen Angélique films he made, was a competent journeyman director. He never inspires but sometimes he pleases the viewer, at least when actors like Pierre Dux, René Lefèvre and Charles Vanel are given sizeable parts. He uses his actors well, and this covers up the mediocrity of the plot (missing atomic weapons secrets, again!).
Lino Ventura uses his panache to get over the absurd aspects of the story--his supposed superhuman powers (breaking his chains, à la Samson) only make us snicker. Such was this man's appeal that we can watch him do the most preposterous things (he was a wrestler, and could do his own stunts) and be entertained.
Lino Ventura uses his panache to get over the absurd aspects of the story--his supposed superhuman powers (breaking his chains, à la Samson) only make us snicker. Such was this man's appeal that we can watch him do the most preposterous things (he was a wrestler, and could do his own stunts) and be entertained.