Katanga

First half is solid if at times too brutal action/adventure (i.e. didn't much care for the execution of two kids by the cartoon Nazi) with paradoxically lovely location shooting in Jamaica, standing in for The Congo. Unfortunately, in the second half, director Jack Cardiff yields control to Ranald McDougal and Adrian Spies' too talky screenplay and the action has to find its way around dull scenes of soul searching and philosophizing over the Big Question of "What is the basic immmorality of a mercenary?" Sound a bit pretentious? Yeah, I thought so, too. As for the acting it's hit and miss. Rod Taylor is much better in the first half with his sardonic Aussie bit than he is in the second half with his blood streaked, breast beating bit. As for Jim Brown he is, as usual, wooden throughout. Peter Carstens does as well as can be expected with the stereotyped "Ve vill make you talk" storm trooper role and Yvette Mimieux is ok eye candy. Best performance is Kenneth More as the drunken doc (another cliche, but More embraces it well) . Give this one a C plus.

This film, which I came to know as "Dark of the Sun" (the better title, as most believe), is one of those compulsively re-watchable pictures year after year. I saw it as a kid but it was later, when I was around 30, when I caught it on a PBS TV station, that I was stunned to realize it is one of my favorite films of all time. I nearly became obsessed with it, recording it for repeat viewing (sometimes 2 days in a row), later buying a quality VHS version, and finally obtaining a widescreen version, a goal of the last half-dozen years. From the first frame, during the credits, when you hear the perfect jazz-influenced score by Jacques Loussier, to the haunting ending, this film draws you in and doesn't let go, inviting you back again & again. I say 'you' but of course I'm speaking of myself; I can't really explain the hold it has on me and what director Cardiff put together that connected so strongly with me. Many familiar with this film call it Rod Taylor's best work and I agree there. He epitomizes the man's man here, tougher, by necessity, than all the other tough guys around him; able to outfight anyone mano-a-mano; and, at the same time, able to command - demanding and keeping the loyalty of his men. Besides the obvious violence & gun-play, throughout are hints and mention of the savagery, the brutality of war, but nothing can or should faze him - until, that is, he loses his best friend. This is something, the one thing, he was unprepared for. And he loses it, he loses all his control, his command of himself and others. It's a fantastic ending. And, like many other scenes, complemented by that fabulous score, it calls me back over & over. Once again, I see that train car break off; again I see it slowly roll back to the waiting bloodthirsty Simbas, all the passengers doomed. I know what will happen, but it demands my attention again, as if in a recurring nightmare. I suppose this may be a great thing about films - sure, they may not ever make them like this again, but you always have these past adventures to savor as many times as you wish. And the films will always give you that same or similar emotional satisfaction you crave.

Great story line - Mercenaries are sent in to the middle of the Congo under the guise of rescuing the village people but their real mission is to recover 50 million dollars of diamonds. Good versus evil with an undertone of racial discrimination.

Superb cast - Robert Taylor, Jim Brown, Yvette Mimieux, Kenneth Moore, and the evil doer Peter Carsten.

Brilliant cinematography - the color scheme is very pleasing to the audience's sense of comfort and appeal

Screenwriting - greed, lust, good versus evil, this film has it all,

Action - non stop

I give this 54 year old film a well deserved 8 out of 10 IMDb rating, Now this is a true action/adventure film.

...about mercenary Curry (Rod Taylor) and his partner Ruffo (Jim Brown). They are both in 1960's The Congo, ready to carry out a mission for Congolese dictator Ubi (Calvin Lockhart). Curry is to get troops together and rescue the residents of Port Reprieve, along with 50 million in diamonds. In the troop he gathers together are an alcoholic doctor (Kenneth More) and a Nazi ex-officer (Peter Carsten). All set out on a makeshift train. On the way, they meet refugee Claire (Yviette Mimieux), whose husband has just been murdered. Complications ensue.

This action film gives little chance for characterization. Taylor is fine, especially before movie takes the turn toward action thriller. You can read his eyes to see what his character is thinking, and he has a way with a sarcastic line. Brown is also good. Mimieux never gets a chance to develop her character; she's basically the sex interest or walking plot device.

For 1968, film is remarkably violent. Don't get too fond of the characters. If you want to look for themes, the film has an interesting one spelled out. Listen to the tales of superstitions, and a character's behavior near the film's end. This is a good action film that gives food for thought and is worth a watch.

A nasty and terrific gem of an action movie, the best of Rod Taylor's career. Very exciting, expertly acted, and with a beautiful score that sounds like it was done by Maurice Jarre (it wasn't). Highly recommended.