VIDEO REVIEW: OSS 117 - Mission For A Killer

VIDEO REVIEW: Black Orpheus

i SPY EUROSPY: Dick Smart 2.007

Dick Smart 2.007
Director: Franco Prosperi
Year 1967

Dick Smart 2.007 is a fondly wacky Eurospy entry that relishes in its Rio setting, while delivering a spy adventure that is wildly out of control and often off the rails in its depiction of super agent Dick Smart and his array of unbelievable gadgets and insatiable lust for women. Played out in the most tongue and cheek possible way, the film relies heavily on fast-paced situations and sporadic logic to entertain its viewers, making the movie one of the genres most obscure yet enjoyable iterations to ever come out of the 60’s spy craze movement. With an extreme emphasis on fun and an atmosphere that allows you to just sit back and enjoy the show, Dick Smart 2.007 is a silly spy flick that is elevated by its enjoyable premise and its commendable caliber of core actors.

The film follows the witty rascal Dick Smart, a secret agent who can tackle any mission no matter how perilous as long as you’ve got the doe to cover his hefty price tag of one million dollars and enough scantily clad women around to keep his vices satisfied. After a theft at an American nuclear facility, Dick is assigned to the case and whisked off to Rio de Janeiro in order to track down the thieves who seem determined to build their own atomic bomb. Strangely enough, the nuclear components that were stolen were not for the construction of an atomic bomb, but for the creation of a device known as the “reducer”. It seems that a mysterious criminal organization, led by a beautiful femme fatale named Lady Lister, has discovered a way to transform carbon into diamonds and her work has attracted the curiosity of a sinister man named Black Diamond who seeks to steal the device for himself and reap all the riches. Set against the picturesque setting of Rio and injected with an infectious sense of fun, Dick Smart dives headlong into the fray as he takes on the bad guys, yet still prioritizes to bed as many women that he can along the way, including the gorgeous Lady Lister. Hey the guy may be a dick, but he’s smart….. Dick Smart!

Richard Wyler takes on the role of Dick Smart, the charismatic and arrogant agent that always has the right gadget for the occasion. Wyler isn’t the best actor to fill the role of secret agent, but he gives his character a sense of superiority over everyone he encounters in the film, which makes him come off as a sort of jerk, but a loveable one. The slight twist or chauvinistic emphasis is entertaining in an endearing retro way and Wyler actually pulls it off for the most part. Another aspect of his performance that I thought was rather good was the action moments of the film. He can handle a fight sequence with the best of them, and often at times his charismatic and cocky nature tends to rub off on his physical performance as it reflects subtle shades of James Bond but without the refining qualities of that iconic character. All in all, Wyler satisfied my expectations as the titular agent and for the most part he carried the film with tremendous energy and enthusiasm that in affect allowed me to just soak up this wild Eurospy outing along with all of its craziness.

Margaret Lee embodies the sexy femme fatale Lady Lister to perfection, as she gives Richard Wyler’s Dick Smart a run for his money as the most interesting character of the picture. She has never looked more ravishing than in this film, and the narrative gives her plenty of opportunity to showcase her varying looks and outrageously vivid sense of style. It’s also very interesting that she begins the film as a villain, but gradually begins to warm to the ways of Dick Smart, inevitably succumbing to his overtly confident charm in order to team together to take down the nefarious Black Diamond and his goon squad. Like Wyler, Lee can handle action sequences and in this film she gets her fair share of gunfights and explosives dodging. The main draw of this film and the sole reason why I tracked it down was to see the combination of Margaret Lee and the beautiful scenery of Rio de Janeiro, and in that vain I am wholly satisfied.

There are also a few more characters within the mix of this movie, which add a little extra to the flavor of the film and, in their existence, move the story along in some rather unusual directions. Take the odd-ball character of Jeanine Stafford played by Rosana Tapajos. Her main gimmick is that she wears thick black framed glasses, and without these comical specs she’s as blind as a bat. In all aspects of the concept, her character is just downright silly, but she adds a whimsical bit of fun to the proceedings that function in randomly distracting us from Dick Smart and Lady Lister’s inventive adventures, giving us a breather from the norm. Another essential addition to the cast is Ambrosio Fregolente who plays the role of Black Diamond, the opportunistic villain who plans to take over Lady Lister’s operations and keep all the spoils for himself. The character of Black Diamond communicates with the use of a voice box which manipulates his dialogue into robotic sounding sound-bites that give the impression that the man is robotic, cold and calculating. This inhuman representation of the man makes for a great comparison to his immoral outlook on life, plus it also makes for a villain that is particularly memorable and substantially creepy.

Like I mentioned earlier, Margaret Lee was one of the main reasons that I wanted to hunt down this movie, but the other equally enticing thing about this film for me was the Rio setting. The lush and picturesque visuals that this Brazilian city has to offer, especially through the medium of film, are obviously abundant and in the case of Dick Smart 2.007, the filmmakers make good use of its diverse locations and iconic landscapes. For instance, Dick Smart traverses a plethora of memorable venues throughout Rio from the daring stunt from Sugarloaf Mountain and its cable cars, to the splendid view of and from the Christ the Redeemer Statue, to the many wonderful moments that take place along the strip in front of the iconic Copacabana Beach, the film gives a respectable little travel log of this wondrous city. Not only that, but Smart’s unique helicopter vehicle allows for some breathtaking aerial views of the surrounding area, as we witness him zipping around freeways, buildings, and mountain ranges. With the inclusions of Margaret Lee, Rio, and a handful of memorable moments, Dick Smart 2.007 is a mission that you’ll gladly take over and over again.

Dick Smart 2.007 is an interesting Eurospy entry. Featuring a respectable cast and a slew of misadventures, the film makes for a fun viewing that never takes itself too serious, but injects enough genuine intrigue that it peaks our curiosity as it delves deeper into the obscure waters and wacky antics that encapsulate this genre. Imbued with a tongue and cheek attitude that just permeates from the screen, Richard Wyler’s Dick Smart is a wisecracking womanizer with a heart of gold. The conundrum is captivating, and Wyler doesn’t hold back on his portrayal of this very interesting secret agent.

For me the main attraction is Margaret Lee as the tantalizing Lady Lister. Lee’s approach to this fiery femme fatale is without a doubt the highlight of the film. When you juxtapose such captivating elements as Margaret’s breathtaking beauty against Rio de Janeiro’s magnificent awe-inspiring imagery, than you’ve got yourself a match made in cinematic heaven. For a Eurospy film, Dick Smart 2.007 is not the best of the bunch and in further analysis the film is a sporadic and often messy affair, but the overall feel of the feature is quite enduring and for that I hold the film in great regards. If you’re in need of a Eurospy film that aims to entertain above all else, while showcasing some stunning views of Rio de Janeiro and the incomparable Margaret Lee, well than I’ve got your hook up right here. This flick is…..

Margaret Lee is AMAZING!

God.... thanks for making me so damn cool.

Now that's one kick ass view.

Weeeeeeeee!

Did I mention that Dick Smart is a little kinky?

Does this neck brace make me look fat?

Get out of my dreams, get into my car Margaret.
P.S. lose the creepy pig tails though.

My word! His eyes are beautiful!

Peak a boo you fucks you.

Why the hell did they have to sit me next to four eyes over here?

Pretty cool scooter dude.

Look at my neck brace.... LOOK AT IT!

The look of love.

Dick Smart really hated those damn glasses.

Weeeeee!

That's the last time you make fun of my glasses you DICK!

Please stop playing with your balls and get me out of here!

Three's a crowd Jeanine. Take a hint and get lost!

Damn that's one fine ass catch!

REVIEW: That Man From Rio

That Man From Rio
Director: Philippe de Broca
Year 1964

Belmondo! Belmondo! That Man From Rio is an exceptional adventure yarn, that perfectly showcases the acting chops, comedic flare, and the amazing stuntman talents of French actor Jean-Paul Belmondo. Coming off as a cross between Eurospy lavishness and the action packed goodness of the Indiana Jones series, That Man From Rio is one hell of an entertaining omnibus that never ceases to awe and amaze.

The film opens with Pvt. Adrien Dufourquet, played by the wonderful Jean-Paul Belmondo, as he is out on leave in Paris to visit his girlfriend Agnes. Unfortunately for him, a theft of an Amazon figurine at the Museum of Man starts a chain reaction that leads to Agnes' kidnapping. Determined to get her back, Adrien sets off in hot pursuit, following the kidnappers all the way to Rio. What unfolds is a series of wacky situations that constantly bombard our unlikely hero. From parachutes, alligators, murderers and women.... only an adventurer like Adrien, with the skills of Belmondo, can make it look this easy.

Jean-Paul Belmondo is fantastic in the role of Adrien, the unlikely adventurer. His charisma shines in every frame as he stumbles from one antic filled situation to the next. He's also given multiple opportunities to strut his athleticism, by performing his own harrowing stunts. From scaling tall buildings, to jumping out of speeding cars, to skydiving and everything in between, the man is a living legend of danger.

He's almost comparable to Jackie Chan, with all of the stunt work that he does and his willingness to be in harms way at any opportunity. His mixture of comedy and action is also reminiscent to the trademark style of Chan. If I had to give the most accurate description of what Belmondo the actor was like for a person not familiar with his filmography, it would be that he is basically the French version of Jackie Chan and just as thrilling. What makes him even more entertaining is the fact that he makes it all look so easy and effortless, while providing a heavy dose of charm and wit.

One of the most memorable scenes in the film has him driving full speed up to a parked car surrounded by bad guys. He casually jumps out of the moving vehicle and dashes into the driver's seat to steal the unsuspecting thugs car in a blink of an eye. The transition is so smooth and astounding that you don't realize that what you've just witnessed is damn near impossible and pretty damn impressive to boot. It's that kind of magic that propels That Man From Rio into a whole other cinematic stratosphere compared to other regular action comedies.

Another welcomed addition to the film is provided by the actress Francoise Dorleac. Her role in That Man From Rio is that of the strangely alluring and unpredictable character of Agnes Villermosa, the girlfriend of Adrien and the main component that keeps the story moving along. It is her kidnapping that propels Adrien to take action and follow her nabbers to Rio. She does an excellent job in being lively and spontaneous, which makes her a perfect fit for Belmondo's hectic and adventurous Adrien.

Agnes' character also has a revitalizing persona change once she gets along the shores of Rio. This personality flip, not surprisingly, has Adrien questioning his sanity for following her all this way. The once rather plain Agnes is transformed into a wild and free spirit, bursting out of her shell when confronted with her childhood stomping grounds. The revival of spirit is perfectly juxtaposed against the lush surroundings of Rio de Janeiro, Brasilia, and Amazonas Brazil, bringing out the exotic spirit in Agnes' character while mirroring Adrien's shock on entering uncharted territories, both in location and within his untamed lover. The whole attitude of the film is care-free while being set inside these picturesque locations, making the mood for the movie feel just right.

That Man From Rio is just so much damn fun. From beginning to end, the film never stops, thanks to the frantic acting of Jean-Paul Belmondo and the energized character turn of Francoise Dorleac. The action was smooth and death defying, the character interactions were memorable and natural, and the entire look of the film was top notch and extravagant to boot.

Rio de Janeiro is one of my most favorite film locations to visit in this cinematic medium, and That Man From Rio uses this breathtaking venue to its fullest. Not only have they caught the gorgeous scenery of 60's era Rio, but they've managed to capture the essence and atmosphere of this wild locale and present it to the world over. The combination of stark visuals, memorable characters, and intriguing narrative, launch this film to the top of my most favorite viewings in recent memories. If you need to know anything else about this movie, I've got one word for ya.....

Belmondo's Born to be Wild!

Belmondo is so excited, he's going to run all the way to Rio.

Have you seen these three weirdos?

It's Grand Theft Tractor!

Where the hell am I?!?!

Belmondo, the man of many talents.

That's right..... I'm badass.

I think he got the point.

Belmondo doing a bit of sight seeing in Rio.

Is it creepy that I like to watch you sleep?

It's the silhouette staring contest.

Can I get a lick of that delicious looking popsicle?

Good.... Bad..... I'm the guy with the shit-eating grin.

Look it's the Rio Hillbillies!

There's a Belmondo on the wing of the plane!

Heads up you two.

i Spy Eurospy: OSS 117 Mission For A Killer

OSS 117 Mission For A Killer
Director: Andre Hunebelle
Year 1965

OSS 117 Mission For A Killer aka Furia A Bahia Pour OSS 117 is a breathtaking Eurospy film that relishes in the beautiful landscape that is Rio de Janeiro. Hubert Bonisseur de La Bath, otherwise known as agent OSS 117, is sent to Brazil after a string of political assassinations begin to pile up that result in a fellow agent's murder. It seems that someone is using beautiful women as suicide bombers, with the help of a new narcotic that turns its victims into mindless and obedient slaves. Can the charismatic agent take down the organization behind the killings or will he just soak up the Brazilian atmosphere? Mission For A Killer satisfies both options and with style to spare.

OSS 117 loves himself some Rio.

I can't believe you just farted in this elevator!
He who smelt it dealt it.

For this OSS 117 outing, the part of the agent is played by Frederick Stafford, who surprisingly has his first go at the character and film role in general. Having never appeared in a motion picture prior to Mission For A Killer, you would think that you'd be witnessing a more timid and restrained performance by the first time actor, but this is not the case. Stafford hams it up and does it flawlessly with such a natural approach to the material you'd expect he was born to play this role. He's suave to the last and handles the comedic aspects of the character with expert professionalism and effortless charm.

You'll find yourself grinning from his unchecked confidence, as he thwarts the bad guys and gets the girls. Staffords impeccable efforts as the titular agent did not go unnoticed for he went on to star in the same role for OSS 117's next mission, Terror in Tokyo. Having done one hell of a job in both films, I wish he would have continued on in just one more outing as Hubert la Bath, but in the end I'm just glad I'm finally able to see his two efforts in all there vibrant glory. 

You know I hate it when you bite your nails.

This is my mean face.

The story is rather intriguing, with the inclusion of a hypnotic narcotic and an evil organization that dreams of world domination, but it's the location that really dazzles within the frame. Rio de Janeiro is the perfect place to set a spy film and if you look back through the history of the genre, the real standouts are the ones that place their agents in the lush surroundings of Brazil. Kiss the Girls and Watch Them Die, That Man From Rio, OSS 117 Lost in Rio, they all have a certain style that just melds so well with the Eurospy trademarks.

Andre Hunebelle does wonders with the locale by giving us some excellent establishing shots of the coastline and a plethora of aerial pans that just melt the eyeballs. The vertical nature of Rio's landscape also gives way to some amazingly composed shots that show 117 doing his spy thing among the picturesque wonders of Brazil's man made and natural skyline. I've always had a love for films set in Rio and the combination of France's most established spy series with the world's most awe-inspiring location is a match made in celluloid heaven.

Welcome to the jungle baby. Your ass is gonna get shot!

Does someone in the audience have a fire extinguisher?

There's also a bevy of beauties in Mission For A Killer, the most noteworthy being the beautiful French actress Mylene Demongeot. Most notable for her work on the French caper series Fantomas, Mylene does an amazing job as la Bath's main romantic interest, Anna-Maria Sulza. She doesn't play a real physical role here, engaging in more of the damsel in distress type character, but boy does she look good doing it. Her character is interwoven throughout the story, appearing here and there until she is thrust up on center stage after being the unwelcome recipient of a narcotic induced hypnotic trance. From then on, she's the go to gal for OSS 117, riding shotgun on his wild adventure to bring down the mastermind of this sorted plot. I enjoyed her efforts as Anna-Maria and look forward to the rest of her acting catalogue as I delve deeper into the French films of the 60's.

Of course Mylene is not alone as the only female counterpart steaming up the screen. There's a small and lesser role played by Perrette Pradier as a beautiful but deceptive seductress. When Mylene is not on the screen, Perrette shines, giving the audience a devilish grin as she tries again and again to bring down the super agent. Each attempt always ends the same, with 117 coming out the other side unscathed. There's even a rather comedic turn of events where Perrette's character tries to get the jump on la Bath as he's shaving. She sends in two goons to bum rush the agent, but cleverly 117 turns the tide and ties up the trio, leaving them to awkwardly lie on the bed as he goes out on a date. It's a great sequence that has a whimsical feel to it, proving just how clever la Bath really is while giving the beautiful Perrette Pradier some much needed screen time. Now I'm going to have to hunt down her role in That Man in Istanbul to see what else she can bring to the Eurospy table.

What do you mean there's no movie on this flight?

And the survey says!

One of the more standout qualities of this OSS 117 film, is its keen eye for action and spectacular fight scenes. I was taken aback by how detailed and synchronized some of the battles actually were. The fight moves were quite inventive and kinetic, never slowing and always moving at a quick pace into the next segment. Out of the majority of Eurospy that have come across my eyes, I'd have to say that Mission For A Killer is the most accomplished when it comes to the fight choreography. It also doesn't hurt that there are some very memorable henchmen and weaponry at hand in these conflicts. One notable moment occurs when a blonde haired thug threatens to burn the chiseled features of OSS 117 with a blow torch. The sequence is shot with vigor, bringing us right into the thick of battle. The flames dance across the screen and you can really feel a sense of danger in the proceedings in both the film's narrative and the actual filming of the production. It's those kind of moments that are very much prevalent throughout Mission For A Killer, resulting in one of the most heralded spy efforts to not occur in the Bond universe.

In the closing moments of the film, we are treated to another spectacular sequence of events as an airborne army unit parachutes into the lair of the diabolical Leandro, played by Raymond Pellegrin. The jungle fortress is expansive and delightfully constructed and to see an epic battle of army against army within its structure, well it's just a magnificent location for the finale. That's one thing you can always count on with Mission For A Killer and the entire OSS 117 series. They really know how to make a visually pleasing and highly energized spy film.

It's raining men! Hallelujah it's raining men!

A perfect location for the end of the movie.

OSS 117 Mission For A Killer is a real 8th wonder of the Eurospy world. With a visual budget that appears to give Bond a run for his money and a location as astounding as Rio de Janeiro, you really can't go wrong with this flick. I'd say that this Eurospy film has to be one of my favorites among the genre and Frederick Stafford's OSS 117 agent to be one of my all time top picks of entertaining and believable Eurospy super agents. If you're looking for a fun ride with one hell of a visual payback, then look no further then Mission For A Killer. It really has everything that you'd ever want in a Eurospy film. Check it out any way you can.

5 out of 5 guns      A Wonderful Eurospy Set In Brazil!