Notre homme Flint

I've been a fan of this movie ever since I was maybe eight years old. It's not a great movie in the sense that "Citizen Kane" is great, but I love the way my perceptions of it have changed over the years. When I was little, I saw it all as strict action-adventure, but as I got older, I got the jokes, too. It's like James Coburn and company know full well how ridiculous the whole thing is, but they're having fun, and they invite us to do the same.

Someone once called Derek Flint "a cross between James Bond and Hugh Hefner." He's a true Renaissance Man, and I still want to be like him when I grow up.

MASTER PLAN: makeover the world, beginning with ridding it of nukes. This is probably the best of the spoofs jumping on the James Bond bandwagon of the sixties (this came out after "Thunderball"). It takes the inherent absurdities of the Bond universe and amps them up even further, but not into total slapstick, like the much later "Austin Powers" pics of the nineties. This begins with a depiction of several major natural disasters throughout the world (stock footage from other films, I presume), the result of nefarious forces who can control the weather. The U.N., or something like it, is in near-panic, as groups of special agents have already failed to get to the bottom of this. But, Flint, the good-natured premiere secret agent, at first refuses to come out of retirement, nonchalantly suggesting that the world would right itself without his help. What makes this thoroughly entertaining is Coburn's performance as Flint: his is an unusual persona - arrogant yet humble, insolent yet polite, way too intelligent, always cool, with a bit of Steve McQueen and a touch of mysticism. And, quite unlike Sean Connery's version of 007. His character is very wealthy (why, we dunno), a martial arts expert with a catch-all gadget and his own set of codes. There's also a zen aspect, as, through some kind of meditation, he can turn off his own heartbeat. He also takes Bond's way with women a step further: he has his own harem, a quartet of ladies who cater to him and seem to worship his every move. Ah, yes, those sixties.

The film also copies the Bond structure of a teaser and then some surrealistic credits involving the female form, although these are less innovative. The actor Cobb is amusing as this world's version of M, the supposed chief and head of ZOWIE, always flustered and shocked by Flint's obstinate ways and arcane knowledge. He's also constantly answering the red phone, whose strange ringing signals a call from the U.S. Prez. The main villains turn out to be a trio of scientists whose aim is to change the world, after taking it over, of course. They operate from an island base which makes even the huge sets of the Bond films seem puny by comparison. There are even amusing direct references to the Bonders: this is not SPECTRE Flint is up against, we learn, and he has a scene with agent 0008, who happens to resemble Sean Connery. Another villain, a slick henchman (Mulhare), looks like Michael Caine's evil brother. And there's the femme fatale (Golan), who eventually goes over to Flint's side. Much of the film is silly, of course, with Flint's superhuman detective skills and cunning soon getting him to that island, by way of a certain soup recipe used in Marseille. But, once there, he finds a version of paradise which may suit his own perfectionist ways and this actually thrusts the story towards some thoughtful points, if so briefly. Since much of this proposed new world involves mind control, this may be why he rejects it outright - he's way too individualistic. There follows the standard explosions and carnage. This was successful enough to warrant the sequel, "In Like Flint," and was better than the lazy Matt Helm films of the same period. Hero:8 Villains:7 Femme Fatale:7 Henchman:7 Fights:7 Stunts/Chases:6 Gadgets:8 Auto:6 Locations:7 Pace:7 overall:7

I thought this was a clever spoof of Bond. One reviewer criticized it's depiction of women. The whole point was making fun of the Bond character's smooth way with the ladies,and the Bond film's depiction of sexy women. if that is what's bothering you.One female character (the adversary, Gila)was an assertive character and not the typically helpless female. A favorite part in the movie of mine is, when after capturing Flint and she is reading the mock J.B. novel with the character called 0008, she puts down the book and sigh's "God, if there really was such a man!" As for the "dated" comment, c'mon, this is a '66 flick. Of course it's going to be a little dated.Fashions, movie making standards,slang, etc. have come and gone and are coming back. My problem with the movies nowadays is the P.C. crap in them. Now it seems that most action movies have to have a female character be a kick boxer or some other tough character.This crap should be made fun of more too. I have nothing against tough action females, (Cynthia Rothrock's a bad ass!)it's just that now it's un-PC to have a demure soft woman lead character in a lot of action films. I thought this film was so beyond reality and this was the point of the film. As for J.B.,I hope Bond does die soon. Connery commented he'd like to be the villain to do it! That would be most excellent! Besides all that, Coburn was awesome(I bet he was chuckling making this one))and will be sorely missed. R.I.P.

They don't make them like James Coburn any more; compared to the likes of him, modern Hollywood leading men seem like fairies suited to play nothing more than Tinkerbell in Peter Pan remakes.

Here, Coburn plays the plethoric, three-doses-of-everything Derek Flint. Four girlfriends (up to five at one point as we learn in the sequel), able to stop his heart, master of combat techniques, uses two wolfhounds and a GSD to greet guests and escort them in (dog lovers, note the GSD's silver colouration, a rare combo with black in the US -- and note that a black and tan GSD is used in the sequel), forensic science genius, private jet owner, philosopher... the list goes on.

This is a fun film with plenty of outright silly moments. No more or less silly than James Bond films or even The Saint, the difference being Connery and Moore's characters appear to take themselves and their work much more seriously than Coburn's Flint does -- and with good reason. His clothing, made of fibres not found in nature on this planet, is at least three sizes two small; his pantlegs are configured for an imminent flood; his hairstyle rivals that of any British Invasion band member; his attitude toward women is similar to that of Alexis Zorbas (special albeit frail creatures that must be respected and loved); his shrieks and cries during hand-to-hand combat make Bruce Lee sound like Caruso.

Recommended!

A group of scientists have banded together to take over the World by using eco-terrorism as a earthquake machine to impose their own conditions in order to force United Nations authorities to their own wishes . Then Intelligence Chief Cramden : Lee J Cobb reluctantly calls in super agent Derek Flint : James Coburn , in fact he is the only one to join all the necessary qualities to vanquish the powerful enemy , an organization called Galaxy led by mean scientific and their underlings Malcolm Rodney : Edward Mulhare and Gila : Gila Colan . This top secret agent is a Karate champion, Brain Surgeon, Swordsman and Nuclear Physicist . The original man of mistery ! The man who makes no mistakes ! Our Man Flint makes love in 47 languages !

Fun and entertaining spy movie in the wake of 007 series but with patently ridiculous screenplay , adding pop imagery , and hilarious and ironical touches . This psychodelic and pop delight packs thrills , noisy action , explosions , beautiful women and spectacular scenes . This one is more a spoof movie more than an ordinary Spy film . The plot moves quickly around many attractive girls , but still strains for effect . Like James Bond , Flint uses a lot of gadgets , such as a cicarrete lighter containing death-dealing devices, along with 2 man-eating dogs and accompanied by his 4 luscious , bikini-clad Playmates and his luxurious love nest . James Coburn gives a sympathetic acting as the tough agent assigned to save the world from an evil organization seeking world domination through control the weather. Being accompanied by a good cast as Edward Mulhare , Lee J Cobb , Gina Colan, Rys Williams , Benson Fong and uncredited James Brolin .

It contains a colorful cinematography very in the Sixtes wake by Daniel F. Fapp . As well as moving and thrilling musical score by Jerry Goldsmith in his usual style . This James Bond clone Derek Flint in American style was professionally directed by Daniel Mann . This one was a prestigious director who made notorious films as " Butterfileld 8" , " The Rose Tattoo" , "Come Back Little Sheba" , "A Dream of Kings" , "I'll cry Tomorrow" . Although he also directed some failed and commercial films as "Super Rocky" , "The Avengers" , "Interval" , "Journey into Fear" , among others . Rating : 6/10 . Followed by the sequel titled "In Like Flint" 1967 by Gordon Douglas with Coburn, Lee J Cobb , Andrew Duggan, Anna Lee . Acceptable and passable movie that to will appeal to James Coburn fans .