Muñecas que matan

Director Ralph Thomas, whose credits include DOCTOR comedies, NO LOVE FOR JOHNNIE, HOT ENOUGH FOR JUNE, produced a masterpiece as rarely as a dud. His films tend to be quite enjoyable and DEADLIER THAN THE MALE certainly fits that description.

To that end, it is greatly enhanced by the presence of such sensational beauties as Elke Sommer, Sylva Koscina, Suzanna Leigh and Virginia North, the first three all assassins of the highest refinement and tariff. Sommer, in particular, is absolutely to die for. Lovely legs, eyes, everything.

Richard Johnson delivers a highly polished private detective, Hugh Drummond, who is every bit as stealthy and classy as James Bond, who had been firing his way around the globe since 1962 in the figure of Sean Connery. Drummond is accompanied by his young and innocent nephew, Bob Drummond (Steve Carlson), who hampers more than helps.

However, in terms of acting the cherry on the cake comes courtesy of Nigel Green, who hides his hand until emerging as the cold, classly nasty villain who pulls the strings of the three beauties, much like the inverted precursor of Charlie and his angels in the 1980s.

Great photography, beautiful locales, and a script with sharp dialogue, repartee, and light humor.

I loved it! 8/10.

This 1966 adventure flick was quite well done and Richard Johnson seems perfectly cast as the lead. The real treat of this flick is the women: Elke Sommer in a bikini with spear-gun is as attractive as any Bond moment, Suzannah Leigh, and the Italian beauty Sylvia Koscina. Nigel Green is great again as a corrupt adversary and the locations are great. This is a 7 out of 10. Best performance = Elke Sommer.

This blows away FATHOM with Raquel Welch. Tough chicks who are easy on the eyes in the mid-60's will always be a joy to watch. Don't sell this one short. Well worth the effort and a pleasant experience. This is definitely available so look for it if you dig those 60's spoofs!

1966 re-imagining of Bulldog Drummond in the James Bond mold. Drummond was created in a series of stories by Sapper. He was a British soldier of fortune between the world wars who fell into one crime related tale after another. They were made into a series of films in the 30's with various people playing Drummond including Ronald Coleman and Ray Miland. Other people like Reginald Denny and John Barrymore played in support. It was for the most part a very fun series.

In Deadlier than the Male Drummond (here played by Richard Johnson) is a trouble shooting attorney investigating a series of "accidents" which he suspects are murder. The trail leads to a group of women who seem to be able to fix any problem for a price, actually a million pounds.

The film is a very good little crime action film, certainly its better than many spy films that appeared in the wake of the Bond films. There are many beautiful women, numerous witty remarks and a good number of action set pieces that are atypical in their implied violence (the torture of Drummond's nephew for example). I liked that there is a realism that the Bond films rarely had. there are no gadgets as such, though there is a life size steel chess set that figures into the plot towards the end that is amazing-especially since there was no CGI used (hey this was 1966). I liked this film a great deal. Keep an eye out for this gem on DVD or on cable, its worth taking the time to see it.

7 out of 10

This above-average Bond knockoff deserves to be better known. It's too imitative of the Bond pictures of the time (especially "Thunderball" - minus the underwater scenes), and the plot slows down at times, but Elke Sommer and Sylva Koscina make a terrific pair of sexy, teasing assassins (with Sommer being the sexier one and Koscina the more teasing one). Nigel Green also makes a smooth villain (although he should have hired more guards!). This picture should become more widely available, because although it's not perfect, it's much better than, say, the atrocious pseudo-spoof "Our Man Flint". (**1/2)

If you watch this 1960s spy film without thinking of it as a spoof you will enjoy it more.

Reviewers say it is low budget but it look great to me.

Fun plot,pretty girls,nice cars,good cast.

Johnston is handsome and tough.

There is a lot of humour.

Great locations,Northern Italy wish I was there now.

Compared to Modesty Blaze or Matt Helm this is a much better watch.

If you are into spy movies and have never seen this I would seek it out.