It begins with complex web of events: Two thugs are waiting to meet up with a third in a seaside hotel. They find their friend dead on the beach and promptly rob him of all his goods. An "accident" at a mine is blamed on the manager who is dismissed. The mine owner, who is being blackmailed and is in fear for his life, sends a message to super sleuth Sexton Blake to come and investigate. A mysterious voice gives instructions to a henchmen from a hiding place deep in a sea cave...
From there is spins out into a mostly exciting tale of intrigue and espionage. This plays out like a Hollywood programmer but on steroids, with big destructive fights, twists that are twists and a go for it attitude that can't be beat.
I've never really run across Sexton Blake before. I know that he was/is a fictional creation to rival Sherlock Holmes in England. He appeared here in the US in a movie serial and that he was the hero in several films from England including one with Tod Slaughter as the villain. He was a character that never really crossed the Atlantic so we movie/mystery fans have little knowledge of his super exploits.
Based on this film its a shame that we haven't gotten more of his stories. This is a slam bang adventure that keeps you glued to the screen as enemies become friend, friends become enemies and the only person you can be certain of in the entire film is Sexton Blake who has all of the murder and mayhem swim around him.
This is a really good film that for the most part I can't recommend enough. The problem is that the comings and goings are much too complicated for a slam bang 75 minute movie. There is simply too much going on and as the film hits the final fifteen or twenty minutes you begin to feel that something was left out. There is simply too much crammed into those final minutes and details end up shooting all over the floor never to be recovered. (Please forgive my lack of detail in this regard, I can't explain it with out giving too much away, which I don't want to do, since you really should see this film) If you come across this small gem from England take the time and watch it, you'll be glad you did.
