The Man Inside

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.

Anita Ekberg is eye candy in a strange British thriller about a diamond heist. Jack Palance from USA, Ekberg from Sweden, Donald Pleasence from UK, Anthony Newly from UK playing a Spaniard make up the some of the cast. Sequences of quality is jewel thief Nigel Patrick playing magic tricks for kids in Lisbon and the train only to be outsmarted by them . The character Ekberg plays is intriguing..

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.

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.

Nigel Patrick gives a great performance as usual, ably supported by screen stalwarts such as Sid James Donald Pleasance Gerard Heinz and especially Anthony Newley. Anita Ekberg provides the glamour and there are lots of exotic locations in Europe. However, Jack Palance is woefully miscast as the romantic lead and this film would have been far better if he had swapped roles with Bonar Colleano and played the villainous heavy. Having said that there is still a lot to enjoy as the story is good and there are plenty of entertaining scenes and dialogue. I liked the scenes on the train and particularly those with the precocious little girl. Incidentally, the train seems to start out in Paris as the famous Golden Arrow but ends up being pulled by an ordinary tank engine.