McGuire, Go Home!

As Cyprus struggles for colonial independence from Britain, "Maj. Maguire" (Dirk Bogarde) is tasked with trying to track down the sabotaging freedom fighters led by "Gen. Skyros" (Grégoire Aslan). Unfortunately for visiting American archeologist "Juno" (Susan Strasberg) she manages to get herself involved as she is staying at the house of "Dr. Andros" (Joseph Fürst) who is also hosting, incognito, the general and his rather more brutally minded sidekick "Haghios" (George Chakiris). A visit from the major might just help her out though as he takes a bit of a shine to her, as does the doctor's son "Emile" (Colin Campbell) but her safety is not guaranteed, especially when "Haghios" comes to resent her developing rapport with the Briton. It's an adequate adventure story, this, but nobody really sets anything on fire; it's too wordy and what action there actually is saved up for the last fifteen minutes during which there's not a great deal of jeopardy. It's really Bogarde who must carry the burden for it's mediocrity as he puts very little effort into his role. It's not so much less is more as less is, well, less... Not that Chakiris is exactly menacing, but he is under-used in any case and Strasberg adds very little as the thing plods along without really touching on the political aspects of the plot at all. There's some nice photography (of Italy) but otherwise it's quite a long old watch that's nobody's best work.

Back in 1957, Cypriots were fighting against the British occupying forces. After all, they wanted their own government and not be a colony of the United Kingdom. The viewer is expected to believe that in the midst of this civil war, an American tourist goes to Cypress to hang out with the locals and garden! Yes, Juno (Susan Strasberg) is apparently interested in hanging out in a war zone. And, while she wishes to remain neutral and on good terms with the Brits and locals, she is inexorably pulled into it...and doesn't have the common sense to leave.

So despite a dumb set-up, why did I watch this film? Because it stars Dirk Bogarde...and I'd watch this excellent actor in anything. Unfortunately, in addition to the dopey story idea, the film itself is sluggish and amazingly uninteresting...with an almost detached emotional feel to it. Not a good film but not exactly terrible either.

After all theses many years, the film stands out in my memory mainly for one thing:

It was the first time I ever heard a swear word -- "bastard" -- on screen. (One of the characters is referred to as a "sneaky little bastard").

In those innocent times we were so taken aback that we thought we had heard wrong.

The next notch up the scale, incidentally, came about six years later when I saw "Woodstock" and actually heard the F word....

I also remember High Bright Sun for George Chakiris -- such a charismatic young actor -- and so sad that he faded out soon after

Set in Island of Cyprus in the revolutionary 1957, there rebels fight against the occupying English forces , during the bloody political minefield of the fifties . it deals with a student who spends a vacation at a villa to investigate about archeologic excavation and then she becomes trapped between the two warring sides . As she witnesses a resistance attack against British military in which die some soldiers. Shortly after, the vengeful local guerrilla plots to murder her in order to silence her. Dirk Bogarde is Major McGuire, an English officer whose efforts to stem Eoka guerrilla are compromised when he falls in love for American-Cyprus gal called Juno , Susan Strasberg, who is caught in the tumultuous war . As she stands at a villa where appears some Cypriot guerrilleros leaders, George Chakiris , and the chief guerrilla, Gregoire Aslan, is hiding . Along the way Juno, Susan Strasberg, is mercilessly chased by Chakiris who lays it on as a fanatical patriot . Before you stop a Bullet , before you trip over a love affair , before you foul up the whole revolution...

This is a thriller movie more than a romatic drama , in which there are thrills , emotion , crossfire , a love story , and a long as well as relentless pursuit . Misguided director Ralph Thomas attempts to create a romantic drama out of the British military presence in the late 50s , there a British Intelligence man becomes involved with an archeology student lodging at a villa . It is an acceptable and decent film , unfortunately , the storyline by Ian Stuart Beach from his own novel does not make it through the political scenarios created by a very thunderous independence conflict. Main cast, Dirk Bogarde , Susan Strasberg , George Chakiris , give enjoyable acting , similar to support cast, formed by a fine plethora of British actors , such as : Nigel Stock , Denholm Eliott , Gregoire Aslan, George Pastell, Colin Campbell , Joseph Fuest , among others .

It contains a colorful and brilliant cinematography by Ernest Steward . And evocative and atmospheric musical score by the Italian Angelo Francesco Lavagnino . This film , The high bright sun , also titled : McGuire go home , was well produced by Betty Box for the Rank Organization , being profesionally directed by Ralph Thomas , though it has some failures , flaws and gaps . Thomas was a good British craftsman who directed several films of all kinds of genres with a special penchant for comedy . His fetish actor was Dick Bogarde with whom worked in various films , many of them belong to "Doctor series" , as Doctor in house . As Ralph Thomas made : The Clouded yellow , Appointment with Venus , Upstairs and downstairs, Conspiracy of hearts , Hot-enough for June , The wind can not read , Nobody runs forever , Quest for love , Percy , Percy progress , and a Hitchcock remake : 39 stairs . Rating : 6/10. The flick will appeal to Dirk Bogarde fans .

I have seen this movie back in the sixties, and this is one of my favorite top ten thriller. I rated it ten. Especially the character George Chakiris played in this film is so much different from all his other movies. Did anybody know where I can get a video tape of this movie. Please e-mail me if you know.

Thanks