Con la muerte a la espalda

This is a well-crafted Euro spy film of the 1960's. It doesn't take itself very seriously, but it's not played as a total farce, a type of film I don't like. Here are some of the pluses of this movie: excellent location filming in Hamburg, and really stunning location filming in Switzerland. Add to that a very good car chase scene; the always sexy and watchable Rosalba Neri and Vivi Bach; and a hero, Jorge Martin, who has tons of charm, and who is very handsome. Lots to like here, which to me makes up for a plot that isn't the tightest or strongest I have seen in Euro spy efforts. The main villain is not much developed, but you can't have everything.

The big twist here, really, is that our hero is not your typical government secret agent. He's a professional jewel thief, who gets pulled into the espionage. He's also extremely athletic; he always has his eye on the dollars (and on Vivi Bach, for which no one could blame him!); he's highly resourceful, and he never, never gives up. His character gets more likable as the movie goes along.

Another reason I like this movie, is that Vivi Bach has a big role in it. She's beautiful and charming, and I was glad to see a movie where she gets a lot of scenes.

A criminal organization possesses a serum capable of unleashing huge damage and total destruction . This formula causes hypnotic effects of mind controlling , as a military officer about to blow up a nuclear missile , being gunned down before its launching . Aware of these happenings , the American and Russian agents from CIA and KGB , along with the Chinese decide to finish the risked threat . An antídote has been created to impede the malicious effects of the dangerous drug . And the only sample of the antídote is into a briefcase , and while a roguish jewel thief : George Martin , the US, Russia, China agents all of them go after it and the girl carrying it . After many car chases and intrigue , our brave stealer starring manages to escape . Eventually, he arrives along with the damsel in distress : Vivi Bach at his home that in its exterior zone seems to be an old boat but its interior is really luxurious .

Ordinary Euro Spy movie with usual ingredients as noisy action , car pursuits , fights , kidnapping, helicopters and explosive women . It has some flaws and gaps , as it does tends to get a bit old style , including silly fights at a theatrical show , but it has fun enough , so it cares . Equally, it packs some frenetic action scenes , including pursuits , car crashes , and at the end a breathtaking confrontation between a plane and our starring shooting his machine gun . Of course , it turns out to be a 007 rip-off , taking parts here and there of the classic Ian Fleming's James Bond movies . Easy-going , acrobatic George Martin gives likable acting as the rogue thief/playboy who takes on a criminal organization led by Daniele Vargas . George Martin has an atractiveness and sympathy that makes him great to watch . Co-stars two Eurotrash starletts : Vivi Bach and Rosalba Neri . And as secondaries show up some players usual in the B co-productions as Daniele Vargas , Ignacio Leone , Gerard Landry , and Lorenzo Robledo.

It displays a colorful and evocative cinematography in 70mm Eastmancolor by Victor Monreal, shot on various locations in París, Eiffel Tower, and specially Hamburgo port when star George Martin does his own spectacular stunts . Adding a thrilling and exciting musical score by Claude Bolling, accompanying perfectly the action . The flick was regular but professionally written/directed by Alfoso Balcazar . This Spanish filmmaker Balcazar directed all kinds of genres as Spaguetti/Paella Western , most of them starred by George Martin , Luis Davila , Daniel Martin or Robert Woods, such as : Clint the Solitary , The return of Clint , Judas Toma tus monedas , Sartana no perdona or Sonora, With Death on your Back , Dinamita Jim , Doc Manos de Plata , Viva Carrancho , Five Thousands Dollars on One Ace . And other genres as Erotic : Julieta , Deseo, Colegialas Lesbianas , Las Primeras Experiencias , Giallo : La Casa de las Muertas Vivientas and Drama : La Encrucijada , ? Donde vas triste de ti ? , Cena de Matrimonios , La Bella Lola , among others . Rating : 5/ 10 . Passable and acceptable yarn that will appeal to Euro-spy genre fans .