Certainly has the Feel of a "Backwards" Stagnant Locale with the Police-State Lurking In and Out of Baroque Buildings.
The Characters All Have a Suspiciously Worried, Frowning Attitude with No-Non-Sense Brutality Against Any Who Dare Question Authorities.
When They Put On an "Act" of Welcome, it is More Like a Comedy Sketch than a Practiced Con. For that Matter, Widmark's "Acts" are just as Silly and Transparent.
Neither Does the Film Any Good at Maintaining Suspense or Intrigue.
John "Johnny" Williams First Full-Fledged Score is OK Full of Sudden Blaring and Bombastic "Stings".
The 3rd Act has Most of the Action and Sadism, both a Staple of the Bad Commies in these Cold-War Types.
Getting There may be a Slog for Some as the Film is Slightly Dated by its Verbosity Not Violence.
Film Debut, in a Small Role, is Santa Berger. Widmark's Wife at the Time, Writes Her One and Only Screenplay.
The Story is Somewhat of a Mess to Sort Through, as Things Go Undefined and Loose Ends are Fraying Everywhere.
Not Bad, but Doesn't Rise to the Best of Richard Widmark or Phil Carlson.
With Low Expectations...
Worth a Watch.
The Characters All Have a Suspiciously Worried, Frowning Attitude with No-Non-Sense Brutality Against Any Who Dare Question Authorities.
When They Put On an "Act" of Welcome, it is More Like a Comedy Sketch than a Practiced Con. For that Matter, Widmark's "Acts" are just as Silly and Transparent.
Neither Does the Film Any Good at Maintaining Suspense or Intrigue.
John "Johnny" Williams First Full-Fledged Score is OK Full of Sudden Blaring and Bombastic "Stings".
The 3rd Act has Most of the Action and Sadism, both a Staple of the Bad Commies in these Cold-War Types.
Getting There may be a Slog for Some as the Film is Slightly Dated by its Verbosity Not Violence.
Film Debut, in a Small Role, is Santa Berger. Widmark's Wife at the Time, Writes Her One and Only Screenplay.
The Story is Somewhat of a Mess to Sort Through, as Things Go Undefined and Loose Ends are Fraying Everywhere.
Not Bad, but Doesn't Rise to the Best of Richard Widmark or Phil Carlson.
With Low Expectations...
Worth a Watch.