1966 re-imagining of Bulldog Drummond in the James Bond mold. Drummond was created in a series of stories by Sapper. He was a British soldier of fortune between the world wars who fell into one crime related tale after another. They were made into a series of films in the 30's with various people playing Drummond including Ronald Coleman and Ray Miland. Other people like Reginald Denny and John Barrymore played in support. It was for the most part a very fun series.
In Deadlier than the Male Drummond (here played by Richard Johnson) is a trouble shooting attorney investigating a series of "accidents" which he suspects are murder. The trail leads to a group of women who seem to be able to fix any problem for a price, actually a million pounds.
The film is a very good little crime action film, certainly its better than many spy films that appeared in the wake of the Bond films. There are many beautiful women, numerous witty remarks and a good number of action set pieces that are atypical in their implied violence (the torture of Drummond's nephew for example). I liked that there is a realism that the Bond films rarely had. there are no gadgets as such, though there is a life size steel chess set that figures into the plot towards the end that is amazing-especially since there was no CGI used (hey this was 1966). I liked this film a great deal. Keep an eye out for this gem on DVD or on cable, its worth taking the time to see it.
7 out of 10
