SpuffyWeb Sadly Over-hyped

Mjeteconer Just perfect...

Listonixio Fresh and Exciting

Tedfoldol everything you have heard about this movie is true.

hammondjh-00479 I watched this on the talking pictures channel as there was nothing of quality elsewhere, and was I in for a very watchable treat. It had a sterling cast ranging from Joyce Grenfell as a scatty upper class birdwatcher through to Nigel Patrick as a dogged customs detective prepares to risk his life to get the smugglers. If you grew up with quality such as this, you'll find the modern "movies", dull and predictable by comparison. I gave it a 10.

Stephen Abell Smugglers disguised as Navy Personnel are bringing French Liqueurs into the country. Unfortunately, they decided to drop them off in a nature reserve watched over by Lady Flavia Queensway (Grenfell). Concerned about her beloved bird population being in danger from the transgressors, she informs Customs and Excise of the events. They send Agent Kenyon (Patrick) to check it out. This, in turn, leads them to a more important smuggling ring who are about to bring in a large volume of drugs. Kenyon sets out on their trail, which takes him to the south of France and closer to one of the suspects than he would like.What makes this such an enjoyable movie to watch is the lightheartedness within the script. This at first centres around Lady Flavia Queensway. Since this is played by the great Joyce Grenfell, how else was this going to be played(?). Then later in situations, especially those between Rita (Sellars) and Kenyon. However, this is not a comedy film and the drama, intrigue, and suspense are evident in every scene. All of this is enough to keep the viewer interested.Then you add in the acting and it's hard to walk away from the movie until it's finished... even to pause it for a toilet break. The cast is solid and everybody is superb in their roles, though it's Theodore Bikel as Max who stood out the most for me. There's an air of menace and power to his character whenever he's on screen. Even when he's playing the guitar to entertain his guests.Though there are some places in the story that are realistic and believable it's the south of France section that feels a little awkward. It's hard to believe that Customs and Excise would be able to afford Kenyon's lifestyle as he lives it up, OO7 style. Though this is forgivable as it progresses the story nicely and it's more than a little entertaining to watch.If you like your thrillers to have a lighthearted entertainment value this film is right in your ballpark. I would recommend this to all thriller and suspense fans out there. It's a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon after dinner.

trimmerb1234 Somewhere at the back of my mind was the memory of a film where a speeding car attempts to cross Tower Bridge just as it was opening - and fails. And here it is. It's quite a spectacular scene, making best use of one of London's best known landmarks. That the car is a Rolls Royce adds to the thrills (budgets in 1954 didn't run to crashing a modern Rolls Royce though). It forms the climax of an exciting car chase - and the demise of the villain. The inspiration may well have been the true life story not of a car jumping the bridge but on the 30th December 1952 a red bus full of passengers. By sheer good luck the other side opened more slowly and thus was slightly lower causing the bus to drop some feet but at least get across.Like IMDb reviews, critics have very mixed opinions on this film. Halliwell, the one time doyenne critic and ITV film buyer dismissed it as "typical British thick-ear". but writer, film critic and author of "A Guide to the Best in Cinema Thrills", John Howard Reid is very complimentary about it in nearly all departments (assuming that the IMDb reviewer above is one and the same person?). I agree with but defer to his much more expert and detailed judgement. Jack Warner again has a good role as a detective - quite different to his ageing avuncular flatfoot PC George Dixon on TV.A 6.5 out of 10

dj_kennett This movie is kind of fun. If you imagined that working from Customs was boring and uninteresting, this will change your mind. Kenyon the Customs inspector travels to the South of France, consorts with beautiful women, stays in luxury motels, and generally lives a very high life.It's not a bad story about a brother and sister drug smuggling ring that is busted open my modest men from Customs in tweed jackets and narrow ties.