The Poppy Is Also a Flower (1966)

United Nations narcotics agents attempt to trace heroin shipments from the Afghanistan-Iran border to the main European distributor.

Director:

Terence Young

Writers:

Jo Eisinger (screenplay), Ian Fleming (story)

Stars:

Senta Berger, Stephen Boyd, Yul Brynner

Won 1 Primetime Emmy.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Senta Berger	...	Maxine
Stephen Boyd	...	Benson
Yul Brynner	...	Col. Salem
Angie Dickinson	...	Linda Benson
Georges Géret	...	Superintendent Roche (as Georges Geret)
Hugh Griffith	...	Salah Rahman Khan
Jack Hawkins	...	Gen. Bahar
Rita Hayworth	...	Monique Marko
Trevor Howard	...	Sam Lincoln
Trini López	...	Trini Lopez (as Trini Lopez)
E.G. Marshall	...	Coley Jones
Marcello Mastroianni	...	Inspector Mosca
Amedeo Nazzari	...	Capt. Di Nonno
Anthony Quayle	...	Capt. Vanderbilt
Gilbert Roland	...	Serge Marko

Storyline

In an attempt to stem the heroin trade from Iran, a group of narcotics agents working for the UN inject a radioactive compound into a seized shipment of opium, in the hopes that it will lead them to the main heroin distributor in Europe. Along the way, they encounter a mysterious woman doing her own investigating of the smuggling operation. Together, they follow the trail as it leads them through the back alleys and luxury resorts of Europe.

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Plot Keywords:

heroin | champagne | brandy | poliziottesco | french poliziottesco | 

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Taglines:

From the JAMES BOND director...with 22 GREAT STARS

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama | Mystery

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Certificate:

GP

Did You Know?

Trivia

For much of this movie, Trevor Howard wears the famous red and gold (affectionately referred to as "egg and bacon") tie of the Marylebone Cricket Club.

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Quotes

Coley Jones: Is this place taken?
[he sits down]
Coley Jones: Madame, would you mind if I smoked?
Coley Jones: I noticed you took a pill. I thought perhaps...
[he waves his packet of cigars at her]
Monique Marko: huh? Nothing. Small headache.
Coley Jones: Are you sure the smoke won't distress you?
Monique Marko: I'm never distressed by smoke. Surely not. But thank you.
Coley Jones: Not at all. I have a headache myself. I wonder if it would be too much to ask if, eh...
Monique Marko: The aspirin?
[...]

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Connections

Referenced in Terence Young: Bond Vivant (2000)

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Soundtracks

Lemon Tree
Written by Will Holt
Performed by Trini López

User Reviews

Stellar Cast Wasted in a Turkey

"Poppies Are Also Flowers" is a high-budget movie that does not work. The stellar cast has names such as Senta Berger, Stephen Boyd, Yul Brynner, Angie Dickinson, Rita Hayworth, Trini López, Marcello Mastroianni, Grace Kelly, Omar Sharif and Eli Wallach among many others. Locations in Iran, Montecarlo, Naples, Monaco and others fancy and exotic places. However the lame story and screenplay associated to non-charismatic and unfunny lead characters make this film a turkey. My vote is six.

Title (Brazil): "O Ópio também é Uma Flor" ("The Opium Is Also a Flower")

Details

Country:

France Austria USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 October 1966 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Opium Connection

Filming Locations:

Isfahan, Iran

Company Credits

Production Co:

Comet, Telsun Foundation Inc., United Nations

Technical Specs

Runtime:

80 min (TV)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Optiphone)

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1