The Limbo Line

James Bond has a lot to answer for. His success is responsible for dire films such as this. Craig Stevens is the American parachuted in to the lead. He was strictly a B movie and television actor,who at age 50 was a bit long in the tooth for such roles. He like much of the cast have the vocal dexterity of a speak your weight machine. The direction is poor and predictable.

As for the plot,by the time this film was made the plots were interchangeable,invariably,as in this case,involving a dastardly plot by the Russian,with a sultry woman doing her best to seduce and slay our dashing over age hero. You can watch in You Tube if you are that desperate.

A thought provoking film with one of the most under-rated actors of his genre, the late Vladek Sheybal. His character, Oleg, is the mastermind behind The Limbo Line itself and as usual, the actor portrays the character as a cold hearted mercenary type who 'arranges' for defectors to be repatriated against their will, always dragged from the arms of their loved ones and spirited away into heaven alone knows where. This story follows the attempted repatriation of a ballet dancer played by Kate O'Mara. The result is a cat and mouse chase involving British agents as they allow her to be taken in their attempt to expose The Limbo Line ... and the man behind it! Does she escape? Do they get their man? you'll have to watch the film (yes, I know it is rarer than hen's teeth ... but it is worth looking out for).

Vladek Sheybal was probably perfectly cast as the mastermind behind this 're-patriation' process, seeing it from the other side as it were. In his early days at Oxford, he was almost spirited away by one of these faceless mercenaries himself. If nothing else, Vladek Sheybal was a brave and courageous man, and a mesmerising talent on screen.

This film falls in the same category as the James Bond films - minus all the sexual innuendos.Suitable for all ages. Has got something for everyone: Romance, action, drama and an unexpected ending. Robert: South Africa

The Limbo Line. I saw this movie about 20 years ago;I do not remember any thing about it at all except that i loved a song That played out i thought at the time was sung by Matt Monroe. Now with the availability of all musical scores on line or thru file sharing, i still could not find that song; i do not even remember how it goes.(It probably says "Here I go Again"). I checked every possible venue, but with no luck; i could not find neither the movie to enjoy watching again nor the song that has come to be a voice from the past that i can not quite remember nor forget. If any one can tell me how to get this song i would be very grateful.

All I know about Director Samuel Gallu is that he was mostly involved in TV productions, and this one's cinematography is so shabby that it looks like one of those, too.

Acting is no great shakes, though Craig Stevens and Kate O'Mara deserve to be male and female leads, respectively.

Dialogue rates credible and attention-grabbing as part of an espionage plot that moves at breakneck speed even if stunts leave somewhat to be desired.

Try and get a clearer copy than the VHS I watched. You might like it, particularly if you like Cold War espionage action. 7/10.