The Man Inside

John Gilling was, for the British film industry, a director who gave us thrillers, adventure movies and also horror ones, as also did Terence Fisher, Roy Ward Baker, Freddie Francis. But for each of those directors, we always remind the horror features. For John Gilling, we remind THE REPTILE, SHADOW OF THE CAT, PLAGUE OF THE ZOMBIES, MUMMY'S SHROUD but never his thrillers: PICK UP ALLEY, MAN INSIDE, IT TAKES A THIEF - THE CHALLENGE. I don't even speak of this colonial adventure films speaking of pirates or British Army in India or Afghanistan - BRIGAND OF KANDAHAR, BANDIT OF ZHOBE. For all those films, non horror I mean, Gilling brought his trade mark in the script, directing. Here, he meets Anita Ekberg with whom he also made PICK UP ALLEY, a good thriller where the villain Nigel Patrick nearly steals the show for his performance.

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.

I expected rather more from this movie when I saw the cast. What I got was a poor attempt at a glamorous international pursuit thriller with a far fetched storyline and unbelievable characters. Nigel Patrick's Sam Carter, a mild-mannered book-keeper, lifts a valuable diamond and disappears. A variety of goodies, baddies and don't-knows follow him from New York (studio office, stock footage and London street with American cars) to Lisbon to Madrid to Paris and finally to London. All have their reasons for wanting to relieve Carter of the stone. Milo March (Jack Palance) is a private detective on the case. Trudie Hall (Anita Ekberg) claims it belongs to her family and Lomer (Bonar Colleano) is simply a crook. The action follows March but, he is favoured too much by coincidence. It seems he only has to turn up somewhere and ask a question of the nearest local in order to be given his next lead. Ekberg's only purpose is to be ogled. And there are at least three unsubtle references to her having "concealed weapons" (ba-boom tish!). On the plus side film buffs will have fun spotting the usual suspects who habitually grace 1950s British films. Eric Pohlman (ray!), Sid James, Alfred Burke and Donald Pleasance all have roles, and Anthony Newley plays his usual annoying, chirpy, streetwise foreigner. In this instance, Ernesto the cabby. Some nice location shots and pics of vintage airliners, and a brief shot of The Golden Arrow train. Curiosity value only.

I suspect that this was a "B" movie of the day. We don't have "Second feature" movies any more, nowadays we are presented with one almighty production that revolves around a single famous actor and a host of special effects.

This little offering is different, there is a host of really great actors and a lot of character development. Anthony Newley is great and fits his role so well. Palance seems to be not quite with it but I have noticed this in a few of his films, his Texan accent was a mistake.

It was interesting to see the change in our leading lady after she had been beaten up. Even her ample top didn't seem to be bursting at the seams!

Well worth a watch - if you can get it.

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.