Geheimauftrag K

This film essentially involves a man by the name of "Philip Scott" (Stephen Boyd) using his position as an executive at a toy company as a cover for operating his own independent spy organization to help the British Secret Service in Europe. In this particular case he has been tasked to retrieve some microfilm from sources behind the Iron Curtain which detail Soviet missile technology. To that effect, this requires him to travel to both West Germany and Austria and while there he becomes attracted to a beautiful Swedish woman by the name of "Antonia 'Toni' Peters" (Camila Sparv) and while getting better acquainted with her also uses their relationship to further conceal his clandestine activities. What he doesn't know, however, is that another secret organization has developed suspicions about him and are following his every move with the hope of turning the tables on him to their own advantage as well. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that this was a rather dull and mundane spy film which seemed to focus too heavily upon quite normal and routine activities. Admittedly, both Stephen Boyd and Camila Sparv performed their roles in a solid manner but the overall lack of action and suspense was much too noticeable and for that reason I have rated this film accordingly. Average.

A surprisingly stylish spy flick, based in Munich and London.

It has a few twists (some of them predictable) but the aspect that intrigued me most was the information exchange.

It's all done with tremendous subtlety, and you could easily watch the entire film and miss most of the exchanges.

I had a similar experience with "Funeral in Berlin".

That's what I like about a spy film, when you can watch it superficially and miss what is really going on. So the film becomes a shill for real life spying, where the public see relative normality, but the spies, though present in the normal life of the public around them, are functioning on a completely different level.

I would have to watch this film several times to pick out and understand all of the communications.

The film was made in 1968, and is very much of that era (which I like).

Stephen Boyd made several films during the mid-to late 60's, which all seem to have "slick" plots in which he portrays a wealthy, sophisticated, cosmopolitan character sporting perfectly coiffed hair. Neither the hairstyle nor the roles seemed to suit him well, and I'll bet he was vastly relieved to switch to westerns like Shalako and The Man Called Noon in the '70's. Assignment K, however, is probably the best of the "smooth hair" movies. He's a international spy in this one and a lot of the action takes place in a ski resort so the scenery is beautiful and wintry. He and Camilla Sparv play well together and, best of all for Stephen Boyd fans like me, he is on-screen throughout the entire film, no cameos here - a major plus for this movie. Leo McKern, another wonderful character actor, turns up once again as the bad guy. (Remember him as the irascible, but lovable Captain Brandt in Lisa?) Assignment K is fairly fast-paced and somewhat exciting, especially if you enjoy a little romance with your espionage. And the ending will surprise you!

It has zippy music, attractive locations and Camilla Sparv as an affable boytoy, but that world is not enough. Hits all the action man buttons of the 60s, race car driver, MI6, spy, playboy, and on. But he's not Bond and not Harry Palmer, and therein lies the problem.

Stephen Boyd miscast so the tone of the movie was not dark enough to sustain strong interest. The ending was good as she plays both Scott and Harris off each other and gets both of them, and her cohorts, out of the spy game. A better script would have concealed then revealed complex betrayals and alliances and, perhaps, who Sparv really worked for and to what purpose. Forty or so years later Casino Royale got it right.

Stephen Boyd, with all the on screen charisma of a G I Joe, is a spy-cum-toy manufacturer. Really. They go a long way round before revealing his espionage activities for sure, but we're clued in.

The great Michael Redgrave shows up about three-quarters of an hour into the piece and altogether racks up three short scenes. Too bad. He always has screen charisma.

Other interesting actors come and go, including Jane Merrow and Jeremy Kemp. The big baddie is the always interesting Leo McKern. With Redgrave on a short leash and Merrow, Kemp and McKern on the side of evil, the movie suffers a severe charisma imbalance.

The case is baffling, that's for sure. But after about an hour one loses interest in it.

Oh, Camilla Sparv, sex appeal's answer to vanilla, is on hand as Boyd's convenient main squeeze who quickly falls onto the hands of his enemies.

Being no Boyd fan, I had a tedious time waiting for Redgrave's paltry appearances.