The Serpent of Death

Terrific unknown thriller about a bright archaeologist/student set on location in Greece and Egypt. Beautiful scenery, nice performances, an airy pace by the director, and a script that was actually interesting. I thought this was going to be another Indiana Jones wannabe, but it had much more in common with the Cary Grant/Audrey Hepburn film CHARADE. Jeff Fahey plays Jake (the archaeologist), and though a little old for what I would think to be a student, is quite good in the role as someone who doesn't mind dabbling with the black market to fund his next dig. When a prized carving is stolen, Jake is blamed, expelled, and deported. To make things worse Jake's best friend is killed in his apartment, having been mistaken for Jake. Tough day Jake. Early on in the film Jake has hooked up with Rene (Camilla More), a perfect beauty who travels with the Greek jet set. Camilla More was a new actress for me and based on this film alone I don't know why she didn't have a great career. She's is both beautiful and sexy and when she is on screen you can't keep your eyes off of her. She is also a very good actress not relying on the bimbo role given to her, but developing a much stronger, free-willed, "in-control" persona. At a festival dance, her tanned legs beaming down from a short, tight white skirt balanced in a pair of white high heels, walks up to Jake and says in a light English accent..."no strings attached?" There is good chemistry between the two stars and excellent support from an international cast.

This has all the feeling of a Hallmark made for TV movie. The same mind-numbing background music (only slightly worse than elevator music.)

However, even though you know the formula and pretty much can guess the ending it is still a pretty good time passer.

Jake (Jeff Fahey), a student archeologist, finds a clue to the legendary lost treasure of Alexander. He is reluctant to peruse the treasure until he is pushed from behind by being accused of stealing the artifact clue and pulled by the nose by a girl (Camilla More) that has a tendency to go to bed and show of her accouterments at the drop of a hat.

Will Jake find the treasure before the bad guys?

Does Jake get to keep the sleazy girl?

Will the bad guy triumph in the end?

Or do we all live happily ever after?

The main thrust of the movie is the chase as Jake and his friends snake their way around Egypt and Grease.