Hammerhead

I saw this when I was in the ARMY, a BIG waste of time what's worst the The Projectionist must have missed a reel as 1 could see it just didn't fit

The spy genre popularized by the James Bond series certainly gave fruit to a lot of attempts worldwide to play in the same sandbox. This British effort (with an American star) isn't anything great, but at least it is largely played tongue-in-cheek (while firmly dating itself as a 1960s piece), and ought to earn some smiles, or chuckles, if few real belly laughs. Vince Edwards plays Charles Hood, a special agent trying to get the goods on the title master criminal (played by top British character actor Peter Vaughan). This he does by using the cover of selling the man vintage pornography! As he gamely goes on his mission, Hood keeps encountering Sue Trenton, a jovial young lady played by the lovely Judy Geeson.

"Hammerhead" does ultimately get a little tiresome, and goes on a bit too long, but there ARE some pleasures to be had. Chief among them are the very sexy ladies on hand (also including Diana Dors as Kit, Beverly Adams as Ivory, Tracy Reed as Miss Hull, and Veronica Carlson as Ulla). The film is likewise attractively photographed by Wilkie Cooper & Kenneth Talbot, and is partly shot in picturesque Portugal. Vaughan is fun as a bad guy who knows how to make an entrance, Edwards is amiable as the hero, and the enticing Ms. Geeson is a lively leading lady (although some people might find her effervescent personality a bit much). They're supported by some excellent British actors, with Michael Bates standing out in a dual role. And that's David "Darth Vader" Prowse in the small role of Hammerheads' young muscleman. This viewers' favorite sequence involves Hood & Sue being trapped inside a coffin, on their way to certain doom (bad guys in these types of stories so often rarely kill the good guys when it is most advantageous to do so). They catch the attention of a young motorcyclist (Kenneth Cope) whose reactions are hysterical.

Decently guided by the American director David Miller ("The Opposite Sex", "Lonely Are the Brave"), this moves along adequately, doling out some entertaining action sequences while accompanied by a jaunty music score by David Whitaker. The oddest touch is the performance art playing out alongside the opening credits, presided over by an eccentric artist (Douglas Wilmer).

Five out of 10.

The James Bond Series of Films, the Longest Continuation in History, was a "Sixties" Invention.

Now, Die-Hard Fans "Take a Deep Breath"...The Body of Work as a Whole does Not Hold Up all that well.

With Exceptions for sure, there is a lot of Mediocrity with some Great and some, let's just say Not So Great when Viewed Today Objectively and Without Nostalgia.

The Bond Mega-Success Spawned Much to Answer for. Spin-Offs that Range from Clever to "WTF?".

Many Types Varying in Scope, Budget, and Talent. Film as well as its Baby-Brother "TV" were Ablaze with "Secret Agent" Mania.

Here We have a Feature Film with a Half and Half Approach.

Spoof and Parody along with some Intrigue and Genuine and Unfettered Mimicry with Gimmickry making an Appearance if Not on a Grand Scale.

That Became one of the Bond Series Iffy "Evolution" where the Producers and Filmmakers got a Bit "Big For Their Britches". Mostly in the "Roger Moore" Movies.

Vince Edwards seems somewhat Miscast. A Former Handsome Body Builder who made His Mark as TV's Ben Casey had a Pleasant if Limited Screen Presence.

He doesn't even Try and Stretch as "Hood" the Bondish Persona only Hinted at. Edwards Amiably goes through the motions with mostly a Smirk.

The Supporting Cast is Highlighted by a Spunky "Mod" Bond-Girl (Judy Geeson). She is (like the movie) a Love/Hate Affair. Her Performance is so Over the Top, but Having Fun, and Signals what the Tone of the Film is All About.

Some Appeal can be Had at the Hands of Middle Class Hippies and Their "Experimenting" with Art and Fashion. Something that Rarely Approaches Verisimilitude in a Movie.

It's a Loud, Brash, Colorful Attempt and Fans are Straight Down the Middle...

Yep, They either Love it...or Hate it.

Got a Mind...Don't Waste it...You Decide.

Like the first commenter, I discovered "Hammerhead" via the score LP in the 1970s. CBS-TV in the US used to show a heavily-edited version regularly; later, an uncut print was seen locally. (It was also spotted on cable during the 1980s.) It's a neat movie, with some good chase scenes (one involving a large hearse). The "Chelsea Happening" music accompanies an interesting performance-art show that was typical of the era. Judy Geeson's character manages to be both kooky and sexy as she and Vince Edwards scoot all over Europe in search of Hammerhead.

Note: the music on the LP is a different recording from that in the movie; the arrangements are, however, pretty much identical. The score rather predictably conforms to visual action: for example, those five rhythmic "hits" near the end of "Villa Fight" are cut to Charles Hood slamming a car door on someone's hand! This actually bolsters the charm of this picture.

Any chance to see "Hammerhead" should be seized upon!!

While I have not seen the Hammerhead movie, I do have the soundtrack album.

I ended up ordering it by mistake about 25 years ago, and when I got it, I opened it anyway as I collect soundtracks, and had never heard of the movie Hammerhead.

There is a catchy theme song, and some cool chase music, as well as other tunes, and even a Hammerhead 'concerto' on the record.

If this movie ever comes out on video, I would like to see it in order to associate the music with the scenes.

The music is typical of the 60s and is very light-hearted and fun to listen to.