Puppet on a Chain (1971)

User Rating:

5.6/10   

Director:

Geoffrey Reeve

Writers:

Alistair MacLean (novel)
Alistair MacLean (screenplay)

Release Date:

31 January 1972 (Sweden)

Genre:

Thriller

Tagline:

It will keep you hanging on the edge of your seat!

Plot:

Following a triple professional hit a U.S. agent arrives in Amsterdam to investigate a heroin smuggling ring...

Plot Keywords:

Heroin | Police | CIA | Red Light District | Netherlands

Cast

Sven-Bertil Taube	...	Paul Sherman
Barbara Parkins	...	Maggie
Alexander Knox	...	Col. De Graaf
Patrick Allen	...	Insp. Van Gelder
Vladek Sheybal	...	Meegeren
Ania Marson	...	Astrid Lemay
Penny Casdagli	...	Trudi
Peter Hutchins	...	The Assassin
Drewe Henley	...	Jimmy Duclos
Henni Orri	...	Herta
Stewart Lane	...	George Lemay
Mark Malicz	...	Morgenstern
Michael Mellinger	...	Hotel Manager

Also Known As:

Alistair Maclean's Puppet on a Chain (UK) (complete title)

Runtime:

98 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

UK:15 (1999) | UK:AA (1970) (cut) | Iceland:12 | Netherlands:16 | Finland:K-16 | Norway:15 | Norway:16 (1972) | Sweden:15 | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands

Company:

Big City

Trivia:

In her memoirs Suzanna Leigh mentions that she had a role in this film as a villain but, although her character is mentioned, her scenes were deleted from the final print.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: In a stunt shot during a fight on a dockside, as one crook is thrown into the water, one of the recovery diver's bright yellow air tanks is visible just below the water surface.

Va..va..vrooom!

I've grown up reading Alistair McLean's books and I have watched a couple of movies based on his books. There are some pretty good ones made. But this one is probably the best. Mainly because the characters are pretty interesting and the story line is one of the most original ones you will come across (considering the fact that this is as old as 1972!). Movies on drugs/drug trafficking etc. have been inspired from this slick pic! The hero (Sven Bertil-Taube) is cool as a cucumber (just the way McLean sketched it) .. and he suits his role to the hilt. The plot is usual McLean and the concept is WOW! No review of this film is complete without a mention of the Speed Boat chase in the canals of Amsterdam. My Gawd' ! The "French Connection" road chase, the "Ronin" road chase, the "Tomorrow Never Dies" speed boat chase around the Millennium Dome are all inspired by this superbly crafted sequence which is interspersed with aerial shots, close-ups, action shots and more. Even without a background score, this sequence is great! This movie is a MUST WATCH! :-)Enjoy!