Surabaya Conspiracy

"Harvey Ward" (Michael Rennie) is an international businessman who is involved in an illegal scheme to smuggle guns from Manila to Surabaya. His main rival, "Steven Blessing" (Michael Preston) learns of his plan and after an intense shootout captures the boat and takes the valuable cargo for himself. Not long afterward, Harvey invites Steve to a dinner on his boat and while there Steve's men secretly discover that Harvey has information concerning the location of $40 million in gold, diamonds and jewelry obtained by the Japanese during World War 2 and hidden in Surabaya. To assist in the movement of the gold Harvey sends his female companion "Irene Stone" (Barbara Bouchet) to carry out his plan. Naturally, Steve has other ideas and--as it just so happens--takes the same flight to Surabaya as she does. What follows is a game of intrigue involving several different players who don't follow any given set of rules. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that this was an okay film which could have been better if it had a bit more character development and more time and attention spent on the overall plot. As it was it seemed that some of the scenes were a bit too rushed which caused me some confusion here and there. Likewise, I didn't especially care for the ending either. Be that as it may, I thought that this was an adequate movie for the time spent and I have rated it accordingly. Average.

I often like "B" movies, but the main reason I watched Surabaya Conspiracy (called "Stoney" on YouTube) is because it's so hard to find movies with the delightful Barbara Bouchet that aren't in Italian. The version I saw clearly had the reels out of order, but it hardly mattered. There was no character in the movie who wasn't in it for him- or herself, other than possibly a revolutionary Colonel who didn't have a large role. Nor did the plot make a great deal of sense. Thus, competence at filming and acting hardly mattered. A film that is only for committed Barbara Bouchet enthusiasts.

Interesting cast, professionals such as Michael Rennie, Richard Jaeckel and Barbara Bouchet, mix them with some locals, Mike Preston, Vic Diaz, Leopoldo Salcedo and some amateurs in a film where you think the "alleged" good guy will come out on top,but doesn't. To put it in a few words....nobody wins.

A woman discovers that her late husband has hidden a fortune in diamonds and throws herself into the search for treasure. She won't be the only one doing this.

Uninspiring movie in which it is difficult to follow the plot with people shooting at random.

Since My Husband (Gerald Hardig) happens to be an actor in this movie (He is the hit-man in the opening scenes, with the machine gun mounted on the raft that attacks the gun runners boat), I think this is a TERRIFIC film. I however am trying to find a VHS or DVD tape of it, Because it has gone out of print. But I understand their are many copies floating around in Europe ,Brazil, Mexico, and other places in the world. I believe this might have been pirated several times because of the nudity involving Barbara Bouchet who was also a one time playboy bunny and also appears in the film Casino Royale , among other well known films in the U.S. and Europe. Would love to find a good copy.