6/10
Amusing and thrilling Euro-spy film co-produced by Spain/France/Italy , being professionally directed by Antonio Isasi Isasmendi
19 October 2016
Kelly (Sylva Koscina) is a gorgeous FBI agent who is investigating the disappearance of Professor Pensdergast (Umberto Raho) , director of a major US government research on nuclear energy . She arrives in Istambul where is the prime suspect , Tony Mecenas (Horst Buchholz) , a con who carries out illegal games supported by his hoodlums (Gustavo Ré , Alvaro De Luna) , being pursued by the stiff Inspector Mallouk (Angel Picazo) . In the course of the investigation , Kelly meets Tony , who , moved by the beauty of Kelly and the reward of one million dollars , will help her find the professor . As several international agents and Chinese spies track him , chase him , unarm or undress him , but Tony goes on his dangerous adventures full of action and amusement .

Fun and romantic snapshot in time and place in which a swindler falls in love with a beautiful agent . Stirring film in which there are nail-biting action scenes , intrigue , blasts , suspenseful set pieces and two big stars : Buchholz-Koscina , if not much continuity . An agreeable all action sixties Euro-nostalgia trip , being fast paced and rightly developed . An action filled European thriller flick in which the suspicious protagonist falls in love for his investigator and there are some thrilling chases along the way before the final takes a slight twist . Successful thriller that follows the exploits and moving adventures of a rogue trickster , the German Buchholz who played in ¨Magnificent Seven¨ and ¨1, 2 , 3..¨ and a wonderful secret agent , the attractive Croatian actress Koscina . Mid-sixties Istambul comes across as very European locations and serve as an excellent backdrop for most of the action . The plot was a satisfying mix of set pieces and unexpected plot twists . Sympathetic acting by Horst Buchholz as a kind of James Bond as well as a young and adventurous seducer , and stunningly accompanied by the really charming Sylva Koscina . Being a Spanish production here appear several notorious secondaries as Ángel Picazo , Álvaro De Luna , Alberto Dalbés , Gustavo Ré , Luis Induni , Antonio Molino Rojo , Victor Israel and Jorge Rigaud as CIA Chief . Evocative cinematography by Juan Gelpi , including the exotic '60s atmosphere , though a perfect remastering is necessary , because the film copy is washed-out . Being shot in Istambul that is widely and marvelously shown . Lively and catching musical score by Georges Garvarentz .

The director was defending his name and career , but also his money in more ways than one , as he was one of the producers investing in the project . Antonio Isasi Isasmendi is a good professional , a craftsman who has directed several films in diverse genres , as adventures and action , especially , such as : The dog 1979 , 1968 Las Vegas, 500 millions , 1963 The mask of Scaramouche and Summertime Killer . "That Man in Istanbul¨ results to be a surprisingly solid little film , including some action scenes very skillfully staged . Decent action/thriller is worth trying . This is a movie that's both entertaining and enlightening . Certainly worth watching if you're in the mood for something other than typical exploitation fare .
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