Customer Reviews

Mission Bloody Mary

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The basic problem with this DVD is the compression of the original Techniscope frame (letterbox) into Widescreen. This causes the image being absurdly elongated and people look taller and thinner than they should. If to this basic fault you add the lack of bonus materials aside from a couple of filmographies and trailers, and the absence of subtitles, you'll understand why I have dubbed it "poor". The same applies to the other titles in the collection. On the other hand, these are extremely scarce films and I doubt whether it exist another edition in the world, let alone a better one. Sobuy them if you want -- but be warned!

I never saw the Ken Clark Agent 077 films so this was a real treat for me. Not only is the film deadly serious, its almost a hommage to the Connery Bonds released up to that time. Clark travels the globe looking for Bloody Mary, a miniature atomic bomb which passes through the Russians and Japanese agents hands until Agent 077 acquires it and completes his mission. Along the way are the usual series of double agents and double crosses which Director Sergio Grieco ( Terence Hathaway) keeps peppering throughout and keeps the film moving at a tense pace. Their is also a state room fist fight on a train which closely resembles the fight scene in'FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE' released the year before but has some bloody surprises. Clark looks like he does his own stunts also. The beautiful Helga Line gives an early genre performance before she made sword and sandal and spaghetti Westerns. You will also see a 'blink or you'll miss' cameo by Erica Blanc at the beginning of the film. The release has great color but the box states its in widescreen, it's not, its 16x9 full screen with very little pan and scan, however, it does not deter from the viewing experience. Highly recommended for Euro Spy Fans and I am looking forward to the others in the series. Thank You, Dorado Films, for turning me on to this excellent spy movie.

As far these kinds of movies go,(European knock-offs of James Bond movies) this is actually pretty good. It's low budget shows but they make the most of the European locations and Ken Clark (Dick Malloy) is a very active performer in the fight scenes and other action. This film is the first of a trilogy featuring this character and, although I haven't seen the other two films, I understand they improve as they progress. I admit I have a weakness for this film as I remember seeing it as a kid and when the chance came to see it again, I was smitten with nostalgia. Anyway, the DVD is reasonably clear although it's low on extra features. For fans of the genre, this is a good addition to the DVD shelf.

Explosive Eurospy action from start to finish. Bond has nothing on Ken Clark, agent 077. Great 60s spy spoof. Highly recommended.