Cinco Homens a Desejavam

Five men of disparate nationalities work an oil station in the sweaty Sahara; just as tempers begin to boil over within the group, a sexy girl and her ex-husband invade their territory (or rather, crash it--seems this reckless dame harbors a death wish for herself and her former spouse). Brian Clemens and Bryan Forbes, adapting Jean Martet's play "Men Without a Past", invest the dialogue exchanges with interesting give-and-take, but their scenario isn't inventive or enlightening or even titillating (despite the ads). Certainly the basic thrust of the material--when will the men take advantage of their new arrival--is salacious, however the writers are more interested in probing the human condition and all its faults (although there is some sex involved). Director Seth Holt ably delineates the disintegration of morality and decency among the men, but this woman is something else: a willing pawn in their company, she's both tease and temptress. Actors Studio alum Carroll Baker seemed to get stuck in a revolving door of sexually-uninhibited characters after "Baby Doll", yet this role does call for an actual dramatic performance and she delivers. ** from ****

Only got to view this Film by accident as it followed another Film whose conclusion I was viewing, so frankly my finger was always hovering next to the Switch-Off Button but something held me there, you really couldn't quite figure out what it was all about but you constantly felt that something was going to happen but you had no idea what. So full marks to the Script-Writers, Brian Clemens and Bryan Forbes, and the splendid acting from all the Crew including, of course, the ever delightful Carroll Baker, but my personal favourites were Denholm Elliott as Ex-Major Macey and Peter Van Eyck as The Sahara Desert Oil Station Boss, Mr. Kramer. The feeling of foreboding I had throughout this Film is exemplified by the ending, it is Shocking, Grim, and emotionally draining, in the tradition of those Half-Hour shows that Robert Stephenson used to put on for Alfred Hitchcock, so give it a go and stick with it, the story-line might seem off the planet, but the Script, the Acting, and the Plot will leave you reeling, shocked, and I suspect very much lost for words, at the end. Banality, Mundaneness, Drudgery, Loneliness, and Frustration analysed to an entirely New Level in the Film.

My first viewing of ''Station Six Sahara'' was many years ago and have always rated it it quite highly ever since, as can be expected Carroll Baker looks quite stunning in this movie also great performances from all the cast, interesting male characters playing off against each other, especially the amusing interactions between Ian Bannen and Denholm Elliott.

If you like deep character study ''Station Six Sahara'' is well worth multiple viewings.

As you look at the evolution of film through the 50's and 60's, one trend readily observed is that of increasing use of sex and nudity - as earlier boundaries began to expand. This film, coming in 1965, appears on the cusp of a change from more veiled hints of sex to more explicit scenes as the 60's closed and we moved into the 70's and beyond.

A few themes run through this film, one being that of the overbearing boss many of us have been saddled with in our careers - one who knows that the men have signed on for an extended stay under his "command" and plays his hand to the hilt. A boss who has little or no regard for his men and motivates through intimidation.

Clearly, the director reaches out to the farthest boundaries of the times (and mores) to inject the sexual tension of Ms. Baker arriving on the scene. She is beautiful and sexual and is never out of control of the situation. There is nothing explicit here (but oh so close); nevertheless, the suggestive nature of visits from members of the crew works just as well. In the end, she stands up to the crew commander in a way none of the men (save one) ever had.

I think the film is a well-acted little gem.

A rather strange film made by Artur Brauner,whom I briefly knew and who died aged 100 last year.As usual this is a combination of UK and continental stars.All ending up at this lonely pumping station.Everyone is covered in sweat except Baker.Ian Bannen chews the scenery with relish whilst Denholm Elliott underplays