While the plot is completely different, as if suddenly began to develop, I began to think of some mid-to-late forties adventures that were complex B budgeted film noir or espionage thrillers that filled movie screens to indicate that while the war was over, it was still going on for some. Being from Universal, there were certain elements that reminded me of a few low budget Universal films, particularly 1946's "Tangier" which starred Maria Montez, Robert Paige and Sabu. The difference is that most of those films only ran just over an hour where this runs over 90 minutes and is filled with a lot of complex details involving a plot that take it all over the place.
This has to deal with smuggling, and certainly, leading actor Rod Taylor and the exotic Claudia Cardinale do represent the type of romantic pairing that was prevalent in these movies. Set in Africa, this film deals with the desperation of Americans to get back home and some of the illegal activities that got involved with in order to achieve that goal. Taylor is joined by Peter Duel, Kevin McCarthy and Harry Guardino who is the bad guy here, the head of the smuggling organization who basically forces Taylor to become involved in this so he and the others can get out and make a little profit along the way.
The complex storyline is often over the top and a bit confusing, one of those films that tries to be more intelligent than its audience and the sends up a bit pretentious and irritating. Good photography and a snappy musical score helps a bit, but if you lose concentration for a few minutes here and there, you may find yourself lost. Cardinale is certainly a beautiful exotic star, and when she's on screen, you can't take your eyes off of her. She is certainly perfect to play the type of role that Maria Montez played back when the war ended. It's just a shame that the movie itself it jumped out easy to follow, but there are some very intense and thrilling moments that will draw you back in and hopefully give you a clue as to what it supposed to be happening.
This has to deal with smuggling, and certainly, leading actor Rod Taylor and the exotic Claudia Cardinale do represent the type of romantic pairing that was prevalent in these movies. Set in Africa, this film deals with the desperation of Americans to get back home and some of the illegal activities that got involved with in order to achieve that goal. Taylor is joined by Peter Duel, Kevin McCarthy and Harry Guardino who is the bad guy here, the head of the smuggling organization who basically forces Taylor to become involved in this so he and the others can get out and make a little profit along the way.
The complex storyline is often over the top and a bit confusing, one of those films that tries to be more intelligent than its audience and the sends up a bit pretentious and irritating. Good photography and a snappy musical score helps a bit, but if you lose concentration for a few minutes here and there, you may find yourself lost. Cardinale is certainly a beautiful exotic star, and when she's on screen, you can't take your eyes off of her. She is certainly perfect to play the type of role that Maria Montez played back when the war ended. It's just a shame that the movie itself it jumped out easy to follow, but there are some very intense and thrilling moments that will draw you back in and hopefully give you a clue as to what it supposed to be happening.