Der Mann ohne Nerven

a crime film. far to be memorable, it is not bad. only version of an old recipes, with clear characters, with wise used actors in key roles. the expectations are far to be high. but the film remains decent and the story, unrealistic in essence, seems be more than nice. because if you ignore the details, nothing is too strange. Jack Palance does a good job using his simple presence. same situation - Anita Ekberg who is only the beautiful seducer with few moral fights but nothing complicated or bizarre. a film from a genre who reflects the expectations from a period. so, nothing special. but a decent crime who, far to be Hitchcock, is useful for memory. and for a kind of nostalgic entertainment.

John Gilling was, for the British film industry, a director who gave us thrillers, adventure movies and also horror ones, as also did Terence Fisher, Roy Ward Baker, Freddie Francis. But for each of those directors, we always remind the horror features. For John Gilling, we remind THE REPTILE, SHADOW OF THE CAT, PLAGUE OF THE ZOMBIES, MUMMY'S SHROUD but never his thrillers: PICK UP ALLEY, MAN INSIDE, IT TAKES A THIEF - THE CHALLENGE. I don't even speak of this colonial adventure films speaking of pirates or British Army in India or Afghanistan - BRIGAND OF KANDAHAR, BANDIT OF ZHOBE. For all those films, non horror I mean, Gilling brought his trade mark in the script, directing. Here, he meets Anita Ekberg with whom he also made PICK UP ALLEY, a good thriller where the villain Nigel Patrick nearly steals the show for his performance.

Sam Carter (Nigel Patrick) is a seemingly normal guy. He's predictable, people like him and he's the last person you'd think was a criminal. But Sam has been playing the long game and after years of 'normalcy', this bookkeeper for a jeweler not only steals a huge diamond, but he kills one of his coworkers to get away with the gem. Then, through the course of the story, he tries to blow up an American investigator (Jack Palance) and kills again! Clearly this 'nice guy' ain't so nice after all!

The story is told from the viewpoint of the investigator, Milo March (Palance) and takes him from Britain where the crime occurred to the European mainland. But Carter always seems to be just ahead of him or makes an escape...thanks to him being such a vicious man. Along for the ride is a beautiful woman (Anita Ekberg).

The fact that Carter seems to escape much too easily...mostly because March has no backup (which makes little sense considering how dangerous Carter is)...is a deficit of the story. Still, despite this, it's tense and worth seeing. It's also a bit surprising to see Palance playing the hero...something he really wasn't too familiar with at this point in his career.

By the way, you might wonder why an American actor stars in this British film. In the 1950s and 60s, it was not uncommon for European film companies to hired famous American actors (usually second-tier ones, as Palance was at the time) to star in the films. It was assumed the name recognition would help with sales...especially in the American market. It was most common in Italian movies but it was also true in many German and British films.

I suspect that this was a "B" movie of the day. We don't have "Second feature" movies any more, nowadays we are presented with one almighty production that revolves around a single famous actor and a host of special effects.

This little offering is different, there is a host of really great actors and a lot of character development. Anthony Newley is great and fits his role so well. Palance seems to be not quite with it but I have noticed this in a few of his films, his Texan accent was a mistake.

It was interesting to see the change in our leading lady after she had been beaten up. Even her ample top didn't seem to be bursting at the seams!

Well worth a watch - if you can get it.

This is a modest British adventure thriller which was hoped would hit the world market at a time when this kind of picture was in vogue. A jewellers book keeper steals a priceless diamond and is trailed by various factions half across Europe. Interesting vehicle for Anthony Newley who was given a more meatier role than his usual light musical comedy roles as taxi driver Ernesto. The all star cast includes the very British Nigel Patrick, Sid James (before his Carry On days), and a guest appearance by Donald Pleasence. Palance and Ekberg gave this British movie the American market interest. Richard Bennett's brilliant theme is akin to The Harry Lime Theme from The Third Man. Written by John Gilling (later of Hammer film fame). A rare movie, not released on video nor seen on TV for many years. Paul Goodhead - President Anthony Newley Society Worldwide.