Le mystère de la chambre forte

From what I understand, 'The Spy With My Face (1965)' is essentially an extended version of an episode of 'The Man From U. N. C. L. E (1964 - 1968)' that already aired on television in 1964. It seems to be a single episode padded with extra scenes, which thankfully only stretch the runtime to a merciful eighty-six minutes. Its roots in television are incredibly evident right from the outset, with cheap sets and flat cinematography perforating pretty much every scene. Its structure also mimics a typical tv episode, lacking the sense of escalation typically found in big-screen efforts and culminating in a bit of a low-budget whimper. The plot is really weak, consisting primarily of stuffy spies spelling out their surprisingly mundane plans before going about them uninterrupted. It has very little tension or suspense; as such, it's just really dull. It isn't intriguing in the slightest and it's too vague for its own good. Ultimately, the entire affair barely feels like anything at all. It isn't achingly boring, but it gives you very little reason to care or, even, keep watching. I don't hate it, don't get me wrong. It's inoffensive, fairly snappy for what it is and features a couple of serviceably suave performances. I'm very apathetic towards it, though. It's the sort of thing I'll forget about as soon as I submit this review. It's as dull as dishwater, if I'm honest. Maybe fans of the series (which I've never seen) will find more fun here, but they'll probably have also seen the original episode that this is extended from and that's likely the superior version. 4/10.

U. N. C. L. E. Agents Solo and Kuryakin fly to Switzerland guarding the combination to a vault containing the world's most deadly nuclear weapon. In a desperate plot to use the weapon for their own evil purposes, T. H. R. U. S. H. has turned a man into Solo's exact double by means of plastic surgery. The counterfeit Solo is so convincing that even Illya is taken in ...

You get two Napoleon Solos for the price of one - one of them is an imposter, and does a good job fooling the UNCLE agents. And you wonder when he's going to get caught out. This forms part of the interesting plot, and it's not just enjoyable, but has some good suspense. There's a good motorbike chase sequence which leads up to the confrontation between Solo and his doppelgänger. Santa Berger and Sharon Farrell sizzle. Used to watch this a lot as a kid on BBC2 in the 80's, and I just wanted to be Napoleon Solo!!

The second big screen outing for "The Man from UNCLE" is a notch down from the first. It is made up primarily of the first season episode "The Double Affair" and contains additional footage from "The Four Steps Affair". The doppelganger plot is never fully exploited and there is an excessive amount of padding centred around Vaughn's romantic dalliances. Sharon Farrell delivers a feisty turn as Vaughn's put-upon air hostess girlfriend and McCallum has a bigger role than in the first film (TO TRAP A SPY), but overall this is a routine mission.

POSSIBLE SPOILERS

THRUSH kidnaps Napoleon Solo (Vaughn) and replaces him with a double in order to infiltrate a secret UNCLE operation called 'The August Affair', which will enable them to get their hands on 'Project Earthsave', an intense energy force that is being stored for use in the event of attacks from outer space. Such a weapon could give THRUSH what it always wanted - control of the world!

THE SPY WITH MY FACE was the second spin-off movie from the popular MAN FROM UNCLE spy series. It is an extended version of a season one episode called 'The Double Affair' (originally broadcast 17/11/64) and contains additional footage that was considered too risqué for television. For example the scene where Vaughn takes a shower with Senta Berger and Vaughn in bed with Sharon Farrell. The opening sequence where UNCLE invade THRUSH headquarters Australia was also an extra scene that didn't feature in the TV original.

THE SPY WITH MY FACE is one of the best of the UNCLE films in that it's slickly produced and stands up as a time capsule of it's era, the 1960's when spy thrillers were all the rage. Series regulars Robert Vaughn as Napoleon Solo, David McCallam as Illya Kuriyakin and Leo G Carroll as Mr Waverly are a joy to watch as always.

UNCLE (United Network Command for Law and Enforcement agents Napoleon Solo (Vaughn) and Illya Kuryakin (McCallum) are sent in a group of ten to deliver secret codes to a computer vault controlling project "earth save". Earth Save is an immensely powerful weapon designed to deal with potential attack from outer space. THRUSH meanwhile create a double of Solo to infiltrate the team to gain access to the weapon.

Another in the series of UNCLE films following the TV series. This film plays just like the shows so if you like them then you'll like this. Plenty of girls & romantic interludes, plenty of gentle action and gentle laughs all done in a 1960's sense of innocence and spoof-fun. There are of course plenty of weakness in this, it is after all a cheap bond spoof and always was, but it is a gently enjoyable film. For me, as a fan of UNCLE, the biggest disappointment of the film was the lack of the UNCLE theme music.

All the regular actors (Vaughn, McCallum & Leo G. Carroll) are as good as ever, being comfortable in their roles, the women are all pretty as required. The only thankless task is Donald Harron in the role of Kitteridge who has to do a very dodgy Australian accent whilst wearing a really bad fake beard.

It's not brilliant but it's all a bit of 60's fun. How serious can you take it when McCallum is ambushed outside a drycleaners by two small toy robots firing rockets!?