Notre agent à Salzbourg

A film set in Austria about Nazi's starring Barry Newman (Petrocelli) as a lawyer and the beautiful Anna Karina whose husband has been murdered, this should have been a winner. Alas not quite, not awful by any means, it just lacks that vital spark.

Salzburg looks lovely as well, Newman is excellent as Mathison, as is Karen Jensen as Elissa Lang who is keeping an eye on Mathisons comings and goings. Espionage at its most convuleted as a lot of the characters we don't know where there allegiances lie, even the Americans.. Hopefully at the end when we see Mathison and Anna drive into the distance they have a happy life.

I had very high expectations from this production. The presence of the super beautiful Anna Karina, of the charming Barry Newman from the spectacular "Vanishing Point" and "Fear Is the Key", then Wolfgang Preiss from the exceptional Mabuse series, the presence of Miss California Karen Jensen, Nazi mysteries and Salzburg as the place of action... But, everything was revealed from the first minutes and continued until the end: a total failure! A story no one believes in. If the Nazis had made a list of those who collaborated with them, they certainly would not have been in a metal box at the bottom of a mountain lake in a tourist area of Austria. And Klaus Maria Brandauer is false and the same in all his films.

Had it not been for some strong language, I would have tapped "The Salzburg Connection" as a TV movie, but apparently, it had a theatrical release. Based on the book by Helen MacInnes, the film stars Barry Newman, Anna Karina, Klaus Maria Brandauer, Karen Jensen, and Whit Bissell.

Newman plays attorney Bill Mathison, who goes to Salzburg to investigate a publishing contract for Richard Brandt, a man photographing Austrian lakes. When he arrives at the man's photo shop, he meets the Brandt's wife (Karina) and her brother Johann (Brandauer).

Shortly thereafter, he learns Brandt is dead as is one of Mathison's European contacts. Apparently agents are searching for a chest buried by the Nazis and believed to be in Brandt's possession. It contains the names of Nazi collaborators who can be called upon for neo-Nazi activities. All the countries want it for one reason or another -- the Americans want to know if any of these people have important jobs in the U.S.

I remember reading this book and liking it, but I am unclear if I saw this film. The Austrian scenery is glorious, but since this is a Twentieth Century Fox film, I can't believe they filmed in Salzburg without any visual references to Salzburg's major tourist attraction - The Sound of Music tour. Not to mention The Sound of Music postcards and other paraphernalia.

The film version is slow and boring, and I couldn't get attached to the characters or their plight.

Barry Newman made his name at just the right time, when the antihero types like Pacino were coming to fame, but his career never took off. He always had an air of overconfident playboy about him, but he was certainly popular, and he is still working. He's okay in this. Everyone is okay.

I'd say the scenery is the star.

This film begins with a diver by the name of "Richard Bryant" (Patrick Jordan) finding a metal box at the bottom of a lake in a remote part of Austria which contains a list of former Nazi agents and informants which several countries realize could be of great value to them. To that extent, an American lawyer named "William Mathison" (Barry Newman) just happens to be on vacation near there and is told to investigate the details of a contract Richard Bryant had recently signed. However, it soon becomes clear to him that something isn't quite right and his suspicions are proven correct when he learns that Richard-and several people somehow involved with him-have recently been murdered. Not only that but it appears that Richard's wife "Anna Bryant" (Anna Karina) and her brother "Johann Kronsteiner" (Klaus Maria Brandauer) are also in danger as well. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that this was an okay spy-drama which definitely benefited from the European scenery as it provided a good Cold War atmosphere. Likewise, having two attractive actresses like "Karen Jensen" (as Elissa Lang) and the aforementioned Anna Karina certainly didn't hurt in that regard either. One slight drawback, however, involved the "made-for-television" format which typically limits certain aspects of a film-and this picture was no exception. Be that as it may, I still found it to be worth the time spent to watch and I have rated it accordingly. Average.

You can jump in and out and see what someone thinks a spy movie should look like. TV movie score for sure. I almost anticipated commercials. Don't try to follow any story line; just enjoy how the actors do what they are told to do. You can hear the director coaching, while looking at his watch. Can only imagine what went on in editing.

But it is fun to look at!

Just what vacation was Barry on anyway? He must be some lawyer back home - a Bond/Flint type practicing law?

Lawyer picks up college grad and immediately invite her to his room; poor innocent American! He's in for a surprise for sure.

Anna Bryant is a joy, as she tries hard to carry the role. Barry keeps up, and along with Karen Jensen make it viewable.

One last thought: is not Walt Bissell always great?!!