Inside Out

Two rather likable but dodgy characters are persuaded by a German ex-army officer to co-operate with his plan to recover some Nazi gold some twenty five years later - various others are then roped in. A particularly ingenious plot makes this film a constant nerve-tingler, with extremely good use of music and atmospheric lighting, and small twists in the script to add further tension. The momentum is maintained right up to the very end. The characterisation is unusually original, each character having distinctive quirks, with the exception that the German plotter is portrayed somewhat stereotypically as entirely lacking a sense of humour or remorse. The dialogue is sharp and witty, with special effects relegated to a minimum, making a welcome change from the 1990s films which can be over-reliant on such devices. For those with an interest in retro-chic, the 1970s clothes & cars will add a further pleasure. Also of interest is the depiction of Berlin at the height of its Cold War division. A definite must-see for those who find modern mainstream films too heavy on explosions and too light on plot and dialogue.

This gangster movie in cold war-Berlin really has a fast paced and clever plot. You can enjoy this pre-mission impossible film although not all the tricks of uncomparable Telly are believable. Great acting and tight dialogues make this a fine film-evening from start to end.

This has good qualities such as a good cast, very light on the profanity and some nice cinematography....but - and it's a big "but" - the story bogs down after the first 30 minutes and never recovers. It drags on and on for way too long.

It's the story of a group of men who kidnap a former Nazi out of a high-security jail because the man knows where six million dollars in gold is hidden. Then they must all go get it, in East Germany (when Germany was divided).

It sounds interesting and should have been an intense story, but it wasn't. With a cast headlined by Telly Savalas, Robert Culp and James Mason, the fact it didn't grab me is another surprise.

Former German soldier Ernst Furben (James Mason) tells Harry Morgan (Telly Savalas) a story about his WWII days. The SS had commandeered his truck to transport gold bars. He recruits Harry to free Nazi prisoner Reinhardt Holtz who had authorized the $6 million gold shipment. Harry brings in his friend Sly Wells (Robert Culp) and others.

Initially, I didn't think the premise makes sense, but in time, I realized that Reinhardt would never give up the goods without some torturing. The movie decides to go the theatrical route. I'll give them that one. It's silly, but it has some fun. The rest of the schemes are all very unlikely. I don't understand why they wouldn't switch Reinhardt back before doing the heist. Again, it's just outrageously unlikely that they do all that in 24 hours especially when they don't have to. By doing it this way, they leave the gold in other people's hands. The sequence of events don't make sense.

Very good film with very basic ideas. The authentic street scenes and close up acting were and still are very powerful and believable. Old world movie with a nice story and acting all round kept pace going well. A film you can watch then in another 20 years try it again.