A man's death of smallpox at London airport sends officials into a panic as they conduct a frantic search for the carrier.A man's death of smallpox at London airport sends officials into a panic as they conduct a frantic search for the carrier.A man's death of smallpox at London airport sends officials into a panic as they conduct a frantic search for the carrier.
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When I saw that this movie was about the World Health Organization and infectious diseases, I was surprised, as it stars Terry- Thomas...a man known for his roles in comedies! Regardless, it's a darn fine movie...and does have some comedic aspects.
When the film begins, an airliner contacts the tower. Apparently someone aboard is VERY sick and since the plane is coming from overseas, the World Health Organization representative, Archibald Bannister (Terry-Thomas) springs into action to determine if the disease is dangerous and if there is need to panic. Well, the illness turns out to be Smallpox...and it's a matter of time that they discover others infected or bodies could begin piling up! And, eventually, their quest to find the infected even involves stealing a corpse!
The film has great characters and an intelligent script. It's an unusual blend of drama, detective work and even a bit of comedy...and it works well.
Yes, it's Terry-Thomas, and it's a serious movie, as he investigates with the geologist's partner, Alex Nicol. The trail is a complicated one, involving a Russian plutocrat, a yacht in Nice, a plane crash in Switzerland, and two other smallpox victims in Europe who seem to have no connection to Miss Ziemann's husband. Nicol is suspicious of Miss Ziemann. What is she doing with his partner, a man he describes as "wet behind the ears when it comes to women"?
It's not entirely a mystery. Terry-Thomas is what one might describe as an eccentric bureaucrat and keeps things light and informative. It's a good mystery, too, as I settled on what turned out to be a red herring.
This is an old British comedy with a very in-vogue theme - tracing a contagion. When an American and his wife land in London from a middle east country, he turns sick in flight. A WHO scientist Archibald (Terry Thomas) takes the over the investigation as the illness proves to be a deadly contagion and goes full on trying to trace its origin. The American's partner Kennedy (Alex Nicol) joins him in the search as he suspects there was something fishy in the failed oil exploration expedition from which his friend has just returned. The two are thrown together in the chase, each with an entirely different agenda. An important enigma in the entire episode is Cooper's wife and her link with a suspicious millioner. The search for the source of infection and that of the mystery of the failed oil exploration runs parallel. Although the subject matter is serious, the treatment is entirely comic, hilarious in many places and also maintains enough seriousness making it an enjoyable suspense thriller.
It is common to say that they don't make 'em like this any more. In this film's case it's also true that they never made so very many like this at all. I won't pretend that it's brilliant, though Terry-Thomas's performance probably qualifies, but it is the obvious product of a clear vision, a strong hand at the helm, and a very able crew. Once it started it kept me amused and engaged constantly.
What fun! If you have any affection for British comedy or light mystery, do not miss it
Did you know
- TriviaRichard Briers receives an "introducing" credit
- GoofsAt 42 minutes, when the taxi driver hand signals Terry-Thomas to overtake him, TT's car still has the camera used for the through -the-windscreen shots attached to the bonnet.
- Quotes
Sister Bryan: Oh yes, Mr Kennedy, I'm sorry but the passenger you're meeting is ill. He'll be brought here as soon as the plane has landed.
Kennedy: Sick? What's wrong with him?
Sister Bryan: I can't say.
Kennedy: You mean you don't know or you won't tell me?
Sister Bryan: Well...
Archibald Bannister: A matter of policy, my dear Sir. Aircrew are discouraged from making medical diagnoses. For example, only last week we were alerted that a foreign passenger, a plumpish woman, was suffering from severe cramp and to have a stomach pump at the ready. An hour after the plane landed she gave birth to twins. Most embarrassing, but there you are.
Kennedy: I'm no doctor but I don't think he's having twins.
Archibald Bannister: Hmm. Touché, Mr Kennedy. It appears that your friend has collapsed.
Kennedy: Collapsed?
Archibald Bannister: Well, er, drunk.
Kennedy: Are we talking about the same guy?
Archibald Bannister: Steven Cooper, an American.
Kennedy: That doesn't make sense. Cooper's been my partner for twelve years. He's strictly a milk drinker.
Archibald Bannister: Well, there's our aeroplane. We'll soon get a doctor's opinion. Maybe he can make sense...
Kennedy: What are you selling?
Archibald Bannister: Hm? Oh, nothing. I'm a detective. But not for Scotland Yard. My criminals are far more dangerous than human beings. Dainty, little killers.
[he points to a map of the world]
Archibald Bannister: White for cholera, red for small pox, black for plague. The pins mark the scene of the crime.
Archibald Bannister: Would it surprise you to know that if World Health Regulations were relaxed for even a month, we'd be ridden by plagues that would put the Middle Ages to Shame? 'Course it would.
Archibald Bannister: Germs are much smarter than people. They never bother with passports or borders. They know it's one world, even if we don't.
Kennedy: Bully for them.
- ConnectionsReferenced in Un coin de ciel bleu (1965)
- SoundtracksA Matter of Who
Words and Music by Bob Russell
Sung by Roy Castle over main title
Performed in nightclub scene by The John Barry Seven (uncredited)
and arranged by John Barry (uncredited)
Details
- Runtime
- 1h 30m(90 min)
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.66 : 1