k_rkeplar

WW2 B actioners are usually very good or very bad. This one belongs in every War Movie Buff's collection. One of the soon to be best action directors of his generation making a film with a half dozen of the soon to be best screen and TV actors to come out in the 60s. McQueen is at his classic Lonesome Cool persona best here. James Coburn at his quirky supporting role best. Bobby Darin, Nick Adams, Fess Parker and a new comedian turning actor called Bob Newhart. This movie couldn't miss. Even the small budget and stock footage doesn't tarnish it. Newhart has said they ran out of money and couldn't shoot the original ending so the ending as it is was shot on the fly. It is CLASSIC. This fact alone shows the quality of the people who made this little number. Much better than most of the lumbering big budget WW2 A films of the period like "The Longest Day" and "Bridge on the River Kwi". Both good films but not nearly as exciting and gripping as this gritty little B movie.

I saw it years ago when it first arrived on US drive-in screens. Didn't play well here at the time, this was pre-Monty Python days. The Britsh music invasion was on but the Brit comedy rage hadn't yet started. Think Monty Python meets Shakespeare with a touch of Noel Coward dryness and you have the texture and hilarity of this film. A good natured but on target jab at Christianity and religious politics in general and a good lesson in self appreciation. Cook's the smart assed devil who actually has some legitimate beefs towards the Allmighty. Dud's the poor schmuck who's getting devoured by his own timid nature and the world around him in general. They become good friends with only one problem. Ownership of Dud's soul. The one liner gags are terrific and more often than not they are dead on target. This isn't just a funny movie, it's a very smart film. Like the Python films that would come some time later it's a clever film with an edge that cuts into the nature and common fears found within the cultures that have sprung up within the boundaries of Western Christian Civilization. It will no doubt offend some, if not many, and will delight others. This has been one of my own all time favorite films.

Bad, very bad. Even with Connery aboard, still bad. The classic story of Arthur is turned into Jello with this one. The whole experience of Arthur relies on the softly focused mystical aura that surrounds him and his supposed time. This film gives us nothing but day-glo colors and Richard Gear prancing around like an idiot dodging hammers and whirly-gigs. What is that? Connery is far too old to pull Arthur off. Arthur is young and idealistic. That fact is much of what makes the legend what it is. He sets a new era in motion then dies before he sees it take hold. Arthurian legend has always suffered at the hands of film makers and this more recent example causes much suffering. Over simplified, over colored, overripe, just plain bad. Looking for the Arthurian legend on film? John Borman's Excalibur is still your best bet. I only give it a two because it has swords.