jmol

Deep in plot factors and to some perhaps slow in development (but layered spy films need to "develop" to set the story in play). But steeped in cold war motivations and sensibilities of the time. Peppard is driven to do his job well, with concern for protecting those things and people he values. Twists and turns confront him, but he resolves the factors. But then there is that final and jaw-dropping question which is the final line of the film!

His former controller offers him a position of command within the British espionage structure from which George Peppard has left. Disgusted with the way in which the prior situation was handled (set up by his overseers) Peppard might be presumed to say NO, but my presumption is that the answer would have been YES.

Watch the film and screw your head on tight, no exits to bathroom without pause button pushed, this is not a trivial action film.

Much about the 60's "radical" movement is mislabeled and misunderstood. Yes there were those who were "anti-war" and one can ask "who can be against that!" (don't be so sure it's always right to be anti-war). And then there were those who were pro-war on the Left side. That was Weatherman. No, not pro the U.S. actions against the communist guerrillas in Vietnam and elsewhere, but pro-war in that Weatherman was for fighting a Marxist-Leninist War Here. I have on my wall since those days 2 Weatherman brochures entitled "Bring the War Home!" and "Piece now!" (showing a rifle). Both implied and in explicit terms sought war in the U.S. - a military extension of the Marxist war against the West which had been underway since the end of WWII. Though I opposed Weatherman philosophically and actually (I won't be specific about that issue) I always had a sneaking respect for their integrity up to that point. At least they stood for the bulls**t they believed - to the extent of risking their lives. No BS was that group. They defined the world in their own somewhat unique rich-American-student view of Marxism Leninism, and wanted too to be a part of the Great Upheaval - like some Crusade in which they were benighted with the wisdom to guide us all - in a Struggle which they and Che thought was ripe to occur. Of course he failed too - in overestimating the popularity of his notions among the Bolivian peasants (whom he termed like "rocks" due to their lack of active sympathy with his efforts "on their behalf.") Weatherman was of the same psychological and philosophical ilk. Came and went with him. He is under the tarmac at a Bolivian airstrip (or at least was at some point after his final fight), and the Weather folk have taken the "academic" way out and now teach in comfort at this and that academic institution -often living off of the taxed income of farmers and small businessmen who are forced to pay to support those institutions. No integrity now. Interesting film. But be real when seeing it. "Peace" - that was NOT what Weatherman was about. Weatherman was a collectivist (and collective) ARMY! And as they say, When You Go P***ing with the Big Dogs, you have to expect to get splattered on." Too many on the outside saw their military efforts as noble, but efforts against them (government efforts) as evil. Have integrity when assessing the total picture. If a gun is OK in the hand of a Weatherman, its OK in the hand of those who oppose Marxist Leninists! An interesting group. The American Narodniki.