Many reviews have compared this movie unfavourably with the Bond films of the era (Richard Johnson had to refuse the offer to play 007 due to contractual obligations with MGM). However, I felt that Jonas Wilde had more in common with Patrick McGoohan's John Drake from Danger Man. Like Drake, Wilde doesn't easily resort to guns, although he can use one. Also Wilde shares Drakes's irascible nature and intolerance of incompetent superiors.
Basically Wilde is an assassin in the pay of the British Government. He doesn't ask questions, he simply does the job and is paid for it. His cover is that of a boatyard contractor in partnership with Brian Stearn (Gordon Jackson) another agent. They deliver boats to Jersey where Wilde changes identity and goes off to do the job. Having completed 31 assignments Wilde wants out but is coerced/blackmailed into another one. This time he has to kill a defecting Soviet scientist who is being held over in a country mansion by the CIA. Again, like Drake, Wilde does not rely on gadgetry, but gains access to the house by seducing the housekeeper. He kills the scientist with a karate chop, his favourite method of execution, but is apprehended. Questioned by CIA man Lucinda (Sam Wanamaker) Wilde is told that his last target was in fact one of Lucinda's men working undercover. Wilde has assumed that he was working for the good guys but ,now he is no longer so sure. Even the killing of the scientist seems questionable. The remainder of the movie revolves around his working out just who can be trusted. As Lucinda tells him "Trust went out in the forties. But nobody told the British." The final unravelling is surprising if not exactly unexpected. A big clue is provided in the opening scene in a cinema. Richard Johnson is convincing as the jaded Wilde, and he is supported by an admirable cast which includes Harry Andrews, Carol Lynley, Maurice Denham, Barbara Bouchet and Diana Dors.
In another McGoohan similarity, Wilde tries to resign at the end of the movie, but his boss tells him that is not possible. Pity there weren't any further Wilde movies.
Basically Wilde is an assassin in the pay of the British Government. He doesn't ask questions, he simply does the job and is paid for it. His cover is that of a boatyard contractor in partnership with Brian Stearn (Gordon Jackson) another agent. They deliver boats to Jersey where Wilde changes identity and goes off to do the job. Having completed 31 assignments Wilde wants out but is coerced/blackmailed into another one. This time he has to kill a defecting Soviet scientist who is being held over in a country mansion by the CIA. Again, like Drake, Wilde does not rely on gadgetry, but gains access to the house by seducing the housekeeper. He kills the scientist with a karate chop, his favourite method of execution, but is apprehended. Questioned by CIA man Lucinda (Sam Wanamaker) Wilde is told that his last target was in fact one of Lucinda's men working undercover. Wilde has assumed that he was working for the good guys but ,now he is no longer so sure. Even the killing of the scientist seems questionable. The remainder of the movie revolves around his working out just who can be trusted. As Lucinda tells him "Trust went out in the forties. But nobody told the British." The final unravelling is surprising if not exactly unexpected. A big clue is provided in the opening scene in a cinema. Richard Johnson is convincing as the jaded Wilde, and he is supported by an admirable cast which includes Harry Andrews, Carol Lynley, Maurice Denham, Barbara Bouchet and Diana Dors.
In another McGoohan similarity, Wilde tries to resign at the end of the movie, but his boss tells him that is not possible. Pity there weren't any further Wilde movies.