OSS 117 se déchaîne

An American agent disappears after a scuba diving reconnaissance mission in Corsica. The Secret Service sends agent code name OSS 117 to investigate.

The first OSS 117 featuring Kerwin Matthews is a solid spy thriller with some cool location and underwater sequences - one would think it would be have been better if it was in colour but the monochrome amidst the jazzy score, the cobbles streets, and the intrigue unravelling lends an atmosphere of foreboding. The fight scenes were impressive, the sharp karate punches and some floor work, legs hooking over neck ... the plot just glides and the characters are interesting. Matthew's has a cool presence, is smooth and thinks on his feet and his one liners are well delivered, especially towards the ladies. I like the fact he's not a bull in a China shop.

Comparisons to Bond are going to be inevitable, but I feel this film is more like Danger Man; for one, Agent Hubert has no gadgets, relies on his fists and wits, and no one recognises him by the drink he takes or whether he likes it shaken or stirred or the gun he uses. The spying here is more realistic, though not to the point of being dull and talky. A blend of action and spying is done well. Definitely the best OSS 117 I have seen so far ( I have seen the John Gavin one and the other Kerwin Matthews set in Thailand) ...