The Intelligence Men

As a fan of the classic British comedy, this film has stayed with me since my childhood. It was only through accessing the IMDb that I was able to actually find the name of the film. Eric Morecambe shines brighter than ever in The Intelligence Men with clever deflections off straight characters and using the pretence of knowledge of "spy things" to create classic comedy moments. I.e. being taught spycraft and the side-aching Judo sketch will have you rolling in the aisles. Although what aisles you would having running past your TV are your own business. Not necessary "not to be missed", but certainly not a disappointment as with so many contemporary "blockbusters".

Get hold of this film somehow and let a classic British double act entertain a you. Learn Judo the Morecambe way and "Get out of that!".

April 2021

The Intelligence Men is the 1st of the 3 Morecambe and Wise films from the 60s, i personally think they are of the same level and always watch the 3 at the same time.

Great stuff, funny british 60s comedy, enjoy.

Now go and watch the other 2.

9 out of 10.

I love Morecambe and Wise so I enjoyed this film. They are on top form as bumbling British agents who are trying to stop the bad guys who are "on their side" from doing their bad deeds. There are some really funny scenes and some great lines ("waiter there's a dead man in this soup") and a reasonable cast. Yet though this film is very much enjoyable, it is not as good as their next film "That Riviera Touch", because it begins to get a bit unfunny at times. Nevertheless it's worth watching just for the fantastic opera scene at the end of the film which recalls Danny Kaye's equally hilarious opera performance at the end of his film "Wonder Man". It is also interesting to see how young Morecambe and Wise were when they made the film. Enjoy! 8/10

I suppose I was expecting the M&W I knew so well from their television programmes, particularly their infamous Christmas specials. This film was not remotely in that class. Eric, normally a very funny man, just tries too hard to get a laugh here - he comes across as desperate to be funny and it doesn't work. A pedestrian effort that is unworthy of two very fine comedians. A top-notch cast is basically wasted in a film that looks fairly cheap, despite an attempt at lavish costume designs in the "Swan Lake" performance. Having said that, though, I did like the opening credits! Whilst not exactly a Saul Bass effort, the music and images did manage to convey a sense that the movie would be concerned with the illusory world of Bondish-like international espionage and intrigue. And wasn't that a photo of the very beautiful Suzy Kendall at the end of those credits? I think so. Her photograph was possibly the best part about the whole Picture.

Morecombe & Wise's' brief foray into films came a little too early to match their seventies peak and one watches their first film hoping it will be funnier than it ever turns out; although it contains a nice appearance by the boy's early writers Sid Green and Dick Hills, and a running gag involving a sinister stalker in a fur collar and homburg hat, the revelation of whose actual identity (SLIGHT SPOILER COMING:) provides a memorable anti-climax.

And of course it benefits from the fact it was authentically made during the era of James Bond and from the visual style of the period, especially the glamorous women and the quality of the colour.