Guns of Darkness

I was attracted to this one by the presence of David Niven, always a plus, and I was not disappointed. This is by no means a great movie but it's a very good one in all departments - script, plot line, tension, character development, acting and cinematography (gloriously crisp b&w). In addition to Niven, as a flawed idealist, there is Leslie Caron as his long- suffering wife, James Robertson Justice as a cynical manager and David Opatoshu as a deposed president. Events circle around a revolution in a fictional South American country, as a couple whose relationship is foundering get involved with the fate of the wounded, deposed president, and try to spirit him out of the country. There is plenty of tension in the escape sequences, as they are hunted by the federates, but we also see developments in the relationship of Niven's and Caron's couple. The film tried to make the point that the complexities of life do not always make for black and white, idealistic choices, that we are at some level all flawed. All in all a very good film that deserves more attention.

This is well worth watching to see some very good actors playing against type and flexing acting muscles all too sadly wasted in many of their other films.

This low budget thriller finds Tom Jordan (David Niven) and Claire Jordan (Lesie Caron) at a New Years Eve party sponsored by Toms' employer, Napier Plantations, located in a South American country. Covered by the noise from the party, the government of President Rivera ( David Opatoshu) is overthrown by rebels. Unaware of the regime change, Tom goes to work the next day. After seeing a man shot, he returns home. Doctor Swann (Ian Hunter) has been to the Jordan's home to see Claire. When he leaves and opens his car door, he finds a wounded Rivera sprawled in the front seat of his car. Complications ensue.

Caron and Niven are both as good as a couple whose marriage is disintegrating in the middle of a revolution and international intrigue. Opatoshu is also good as the ex-President. The big problem is the script, which has the characters take wildly stupid actions and goes from effective scenes to ones that had me rolling my eyes. Caron and Niven cope with the script as best they can, but credulity is strained to the breaking point.

Anthony Asquith's direction just races through the bad spots, and fashions an entertaining thriller out of the implausible script with the help of Caron and Niven. The film improves as it progresses.

Tom Jordan (David Niven) and his wife Claire (Leslie Caron) attend a party in South America. The Jordans' marriage is on the rocks. President Rivera gets overthrown by the military, but he's missing. Tom is dismissive of the political change until he witnesses a murder in the streets. He finds an injured Rivera in his car. Rivera needs to get out of the country.

I don't buy it. I just don't understand why politically apathetic Tom is willing to risk his life. He seems to completely change over that one murder. I don't buy it. When the boy thing happens, they should dump him ASAP. This is all about motivation and it's not here.

Businessman (Niven) and his wife (Caron) are caught in the turmoil of a South American revolution, find themselves helping the overthrown president escape to the border. Civilised drama (as Niven tries to find life's meaing) gets itself tangled in deeper meanings, never quite makes itself clear. Cast tries hard, but the result is no better than fair.