If ever there was a dramatic story which might personify the rough and tough films of Rod Taylor, it would be, Dark of The Sun (Also called The Mercenaries). Hired by the President of the African Congo, Captain Curry (Rod Taylor) is a mercenary who is instructed he has three days to journey three hundred miles upland on a special train, through rebel held territory, to rescue trapped Congo citizens. Actually that is the cover story. Truth is, he is sent to recover a cache of cut diamonds worth fifty million dollars. Opposing him is a fixed time schedule, United Nations air security forces and the "Simbas" an extremely lethal group of African soldiers, led by their merciless leader, Moses who's intent on bringing destruction to the country. Curry, has a couple of aids, namely Striker Blue Force, and Jim Brown who aptly plays Sergeant Ruffo an experienced and well educated Congo soldier and the ruthless, unpredictable ex-Nazi named Captain Henlein. (Peter Carsten) Veteran actor Kenneth More plays Dr. Wreid, as the group heads directly and literally into the Lion's mouth. With explosive action, and war torn conflicts, combined with raping, looting and nationwide destruction, this exciting human drama which includes, beautiful, Yvette Mimieux as Claire is played to the hilt. A superb film the likes of which has established this one as a true classic. *****
Review of Dark of the Sun
