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 |
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. Written by Jean-Marc Rocher <rocher@fiberbit.net>
I really don't care that the majority of people didn't enjoy this film. I thought it was a very watchable escapism film. Nothing complicated or confusing. I think the appeal is more for the 60+ crowd who grew up with the many international stars appearing. The sexy Angie Dickinson was in a featured role. I can't think of a better bad man than Harold Sakata (Goldfinger fame). The international locations and seeing Iran as it use to be.
The version I have runs a tad over 84 mins. The VHS picture quality is quite good. When I first saw this film on the big screen, it ran longer. From my fading memory, the original film had an excellent female mud wrestling scene, something I had never seen before. Well, that scene is gone, not fitting for TV around 1970. Much like the gypsy fight scene in From Russia With Love is mostly cut for TV.
During the film, the UN investigators spiked the opium with a radioactive dose to help follow the shipment. What happens to the ultimate users who ingest this cocktail? Never explained in the film.
At any rate, for us oldsters, seeing all of these stars in one film is a treasure. If you are too young to know these people, then take a pass. This is not a high brow boring film. Just check your brain at the door and enjoy.