F comme Flint

As a writer and as someone who suffered the 1970s as a burden, I find this late 1960's projection of women's lib and computers run mad about as funny as any film I know. James Coburn was a thin, charismatic and intelligent actor with limitations by way of his accent but in no other respect. He should probably have been hired to make more westerns and more high-tech thrillers; but in Derek Flint, zen-trained super-spy, in the two films he was allowed to complete in this series, he found his most famous and acclaimed role. The first was "Our Man Flint", also co-starring Lee J. Cobb, which was in my opinion a superior satire but less successful The storyline in the second entry has to do with an offer to Flint's three female assistants to visit an Island run by an outfit's leaders calling their operation "Fabulous Face". As if the girls needed improving. Of course, the corporation's heads turn out to be furious women's liberation advocates bent on world domination, planning to rid themselves of male frustrations, advice and competition forever. Forget the plot. Derek Flint's girls are in danger and that leads his organization, Z.O.W.I.E., his boss Lloyd Cramden and Flint into the exotic blackmail-the-world plot involving female astronauts and nuclear Macgoffins. But first there are the lethal tricks the ladies have thought up; Cramden loses ninety seconds on a golf course; Flint discovers hair driers are being used for brainwashing sessions; and the island resort Fabulous Face runs in the US Virgins turns out to be replete with pretty girls and pretty dangerous ideas. This is a comedy, let us remembers, with an underlying satire targeting both excessive women's lib and male chauvinism thrown in. And in a comedy, actions speak louder than ideas. The film is subtle in unexpected ways unlike its satirical predecessor which was less funny and more a direct comment on gimmick-heavy spy movies. Here we have mostly guided missiles, the world's most lethal cigarette lighter and Flint. His comment to the board of the ladies who are trying to take over the world is exactly right--"But you can't...you're--women/ladies/females" refers to their idea that they ought to do so merely because they're female, and to the methods they are employing in the name of "liberation". Lloyd Cramden in a dress is hard to take, but this production if colorful, only occasionally cartoonish in its look and very-well constructed. The music is overdone for comedic effect, Action film veteran Gordon Douglas kept the pace moving nicely; Harold Fimberg was given sole credit for a film which obviously had several parents, not one. The art direction for this eye-filling romp was provided by Dale Hennessey and Jack Martin Smith, the many fine costumes by Ray Aghayan, makeup by Margaret Donovan, and the elaborate set decorations by James W. Payne and Walter M. Scott. Forget the postmodernist analyses; this is a send-up of spy movies with knocks at both antagonists in the war between the sexes thrown in. It's an entertainment. It is played strictly for laughs, cornball and subtle ones. In the cast, James Coburn looks awkward at times but handles the super-spy cerebrations and courage aspects well. Lee J. Cobb has much less to do than in the first installment. Jean Hale has a large part and is bright and adequate, not more. Others in the cast include dependable Andrew Duggan as the president and his replacement, Anna Lee as the leader of the lethal ladies, Stephen Ihnat, Yvonne Craig, Hannah Landy, Herb Edelman and many others. This is a seventies-style sexy romp born before its time, less estimable than "Our Man Flint" but funnier and a worthy successor. It was made for people who wanted to forget the Cold War and get on with man's favorite sport--being male and female and having fun exchanging one-upsmanships.

Basically another in the endless series of Bond-knockoffs of the late 60's, the second Flynt movie (for some reason I keep missing the first one) is fun enough as a semi-parody. It's nowhere nearly as offensive/dumb as the Matt Helm stuff. Coburn makes a decent superman spy, although his lanky physique makes him look rather ungainly in the fight sequences (only Ted Danson looks more awkward). It's your basic Cold War type movie with some women who want to rule the world (and *oh the humanity* are betrayed by the military man they put their trust in, played by a fiendish Steve Inhat) tossed in.

If you ever wondered about how the film series like Austin Powers came to be inspired, James Coburn does a memorable performance as Flint, original man of mystery in this film. The film is a spoof and farce from the James Bond spy thrillers. The plot includes the world being overthrown and manipulated by smart beautiful seductive women on a Caribbean Island where their leader is played by Anna Lee (General Hospital's beloved Lila Quartermaine). She is fantastic in her role. The film is a comedy and a statement about women's movement. The ending is now considered to be outdated by today's standards almost camp humor. Still, James Coburn did some of his best acting work here as the hero. The film is colorful and imaginative as well.

Did Flint (and the producers) know something America didn't in 1967? I'm making reference to that remark in the title of my review. Reagan was already Governor of CA at this point. :)

Anyway, the plot is unique, the parody unqualifiedly silly but fun.

All the cliches and spy references are present and accounted for. Of course there are plenty of continuity problems, bad special effects and inaccurate ones.

James Coburn was in his prime and drawing good box office. What else did he need? More fun as witnessed here.

Overall, an entertaining film with lots of eye candy as required.

Super-spy Flint : James Coburn is called by the organization Zowie that is an acronym for Zonal Organization World Intelligence Espionage led his old boss : Lee J Cobb to take on a new dangerous international case against powerful women who want to conquer the World. This time Flint takes on a cabal of women plotting to rule the World through subliminal brainwashing in beauty saloons or spas they own . As they are hypnotizing Girls all over the World to create an Army of faithful followers. Flint's back ! In action in Danger in Fun ! The original man of Mystery ! Flint's Back in action...in Danger .in the Virgin Islands ...when the Bad Guys ...are Girls ! The Man who makes no Mistakes !

Fun and entertaining follow-up in the wake of 007 series but with patently embarrassing plot , adding pop imagery , as well as hilarious and ironical elements. This is a sequel to Our Man Flint 1966 by Daniel Mann starred by James Coburn/Flint, James Bond-lookalike , along with Lee J Cobb , Gina Colan , Edward Mulhare, Rhys Williams . Like 007 , Flint uses a lot of gadgets and often accompanied by gorgeous Girls, in bikini-clad at a luxurious love nest . Nice acting by the always sympathetic James Coburn along with some fine secondarios , such as : Jean Hale , Lee J Cobb, Andrew Duggan , and, veteran Anna Lee.

It displays a thrilling and moving musical score by Jerry Goldsmith in his usual style . As well as colorful cinematography in Technicolor by William Daniels, Greta Garbo's regular cameraman . The motion picture was profesionally directed by Gordon Douglas . This Hollywood filmmaker was a prolific artisan whose career spans over forty years . And directing all kinds of genres : Western, Drama, WWII, Action , Comedy, SciFi , Thriller, Adventures with sucesss enough , such as : Fortunes of Captain Blood , Up Periscope , Them, The Great Missouri Raid , The Doolins of Oklahoma , Sylvia, Río Conchos , Stagecoach , Robin and the 7 Hoods , Massacre, The Detective , among others. Rating 6/10. Acceptable and passable thriller spoof movie . The pic will appeal to James Coburn fans .