Hell of Borneo

George Montgomery must have really been passionate about this project, because not only did he star in it, he co-wrote the screenplay, acted as a producer, and sat in the director's chair. It doesn't take long upon watching the movie, however, to wonder why Montgomery put in so much work in this vanity film. It's one of the most boring movies I've seen in quite some time. There's almost no action in the first half of the movie, and while the second half does provide moments that (barely) qualify as action sequences, the action is incompetently directed so that there is absolutely no excitement generated. The rest of the movie mostly consists of dull talk, with the exception of a bizarre musical number concerning ducks (!) Apparently Montgomery himself seems to have sensed he was in a turkey, since his performance here absolutely lacks any color. Nothing worth seeing here, folks.

A movie that shows why George Montgomery was an action star for many years. A very actionful film with several unique aspects. Not a classic, but a fun way to spend 90 minutes. You will not be bored by any means. Somewhat reminiscent of his earlier film HUK.

During the 60s George Montgomery continued to make action films in the B picture category that were more and more TV type fare. If you can imagine B films for a market where the double feature was disappearing. They were of varying quality and Hell Of Borneo was hardly among the best.

In fact in B picture tradition the title has nothing to do with the story. Borneo's only connection is that it's in the geographical vicinity of where this story takes place which is some mythical island in the China seas.

The plot premise is ridiculous to say the least. George Montgomery is the owner of a country no less. It's an island bequeathed to his dad by a sultan for services rendered. Not the territory or colony of any country it's ripe for whatever villainy Torin Thatcher has in mind and we never really do find out.

Anyway Thatcher and his daughter Julie Gregg want to buy the island and Montgomery is the last heir after his brother is killed by 'bandits'. But Thatcher has some truly incompetent help and they more than anything else foil the villain's plans.

Shot in the Phillipines, a place where Montgomery did a few of his later films, Hell In Borneo is one inferior action/adventure flick.