In the 1950s, Charlton Heston occasionally played nasty characters--such as "Dark City". But here in "Secret of the Incas" he's at his nastiest. I don't mean his most evil--just nasty! He is 100% smart-mouthed and cynical. While this technically isn't an example of film noir, Heston's character is pure noir--a guy whose moral compass clearly has cracked and who utters more great one-liners than a Raymond Chandler or Mickey Spillane film! I really loved this--and it made an okay move a heck of a lot more enjoyable. Now I am sure some of his fans won't find this dark side that much fun to watch...it all depends on the sort of characters you like.
The film finds Heston living in Peru. He has been there a long time but he really wants to get out and get back to the States. But, along the way, he's looking for a big score. Soon the possibility of one drops into his lap in the form of a refugee from behind the Iron Curtain (Nicole Maurey). She is on the run and Heston decides to use her to extract money from the communist officials chasing her. His scenes with Leon Askin are priceless--as Heston used and abused the man in a style that is unforgettable. Eventually, he steals Askin's airplane and he and the girl set off for adventure. She is desperate to make it to America...or at least Mexico. But Heston is out for #1--and wants this big score first--and she'll just have to take it or leave it!
In many ways, this film is like an Indiana Jones film with a completely amoral leading man and none of the paranormal mumbo-jumbo. I enjoyed it mostly because the characters (not just Heston) were very interesting. A few of the things I didn't like were
Yma Sumac's horrible screeching,...I mean 'singing' (one viewer gave the movie a 10 simply because of her singing--let's just say we don't agree) and the horribly dark print from Netflix online. Also, at the end, Heston's character does NOT remain true to his character--and it loses a point because of this.
Not a great movie, but Heston's character was great--and is worth seeing!
The film finds Heston living in Peru. He has been there a long time but he really wants to get out and get back to the States. But, along the way, he's looking for a big score. Soon the possibility of one drops into his lap in the form of a refugee from behind the Iron Curtain (Nicole Maurey). She is on the run and Heston decides to use her to extract money from the communist officials chasing her. His scenes with Leon Askin are priceless--as Heston used and abused the man in a style that is unforgettable. Eventually, he steals Askin's airplane and he and the girl set off for adventure. She is desperate to make it to America...or at least Mexico. But Heston is out for #1--and wants this big score first--and she'll just have to take it or leave it!
In many ways, this film is like an Indiana Jones film with a completely amoral leading man and none of the paranormal mumbo-jumbo. I enjoyed it mostly because the characters (not just Heston) were very interesting. A few of the things I didn't like were
Yma Sumac's horrible screeching,...I mean 'singing' (one viewer gave the movie a 10 simply because of her singing--let's just say we don't agree) and the horribly dark print from Netflix online. Also, at the end, Heston's character does NOT remain true to his character--and it loses a point because of this.
Not a great movie, but Heston's character was great--and is worth seeing!