Gold

Despite the collapse of the gold price in recent months here is a movie whose value is assured. Taken from the novel "Gold Mine" by the one and only Wilbur Smith we get to see just how dangerous the world of mining is. Nerve splitting scenes in the aftermath of a rock fall, explosions, underground amputations, the calamity of an underground flood, deceit, conspiracy, loyalty, betrayl, murder, sex, tribal dance, heroics, more heroics (it was penned by Wilbur Smith) and the lengths to which men will go just to put a charm around a ladys' neck.

Technically, "Gold" is rather uneven at best. There are quite a number of underground scenes that are simply too dark. Another problem is scenes that go on far too long drag on the film. The whirlwind romance between Roger Moore and Susannah York takes up too much time and could have been tactfully trimmed, thus tightening the overlong run time of 120 minutes. On the plus side, is an interesting plot to flood a South African gold mine, which would cut world production by 30%, and drive up the price of gold. Moore's heroic attempt to save the flooding mine and save 1000 trapped men provides plenty of excitement. .................. - MERK

An underrated and forgotten thriller that offers something authentic to a contemporary audience. It stands out for its unique backdrop and realistic, gritty feel - not a surprise given its credentials: Directed by Peter R. Hunt, who also helmed the similarly non-gimmicky, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, and produced by Michael Klinger, the man behind Get Carter. Roger Moore is largely an 'average' man, playing against type: a womaniser yes, but an under-achiever set up to take a fall. The rest of the cast is good, including Suzanna York, who holds her own in a well-rounded female role. An ideal match for Moore, their relationship is grown-up and believable. Ray Milliand is the dominant, straight-talking patriarch. John Gielgud, Bradford Dillman and Tony Beckley are all excellent in their different ways as the bad guys.

Unlike similar movies of the time, the production values hold up well, in part due to being filmed on location in South Africa, with a lack of green screen. In the mine scenes, you feel like you're under the ground - it's oppressive and claustrophobic - because that's where it was partly shot. That contrasts well with the action above ground, including some spectacular aerial work. The plot is fine, occasionally lacking pace, but engaging and entertaining, giving an insight into the gold industry and market. There is little social commentary: one of the villains of the story is a white racist; one of the heroes, a black man; there is a shadowy London-based elite. Overall, it does its job with some great set pieces - my favourite, a mountain-top scene with a Rolls Royce.

The apartheid regime setting - controversial, when the film was shot - makes it a rare and interesting watch. Aside from actually being made in the country, there is very little that is objectionable specific to the film. Proceedings are captured in a matter-of-fact, almost fly-on-the-wall style, which includes the gold mines, city life and the beautiful surrounding landscape, with some authentic African dance scenes. There are no awkward verbal faux pas, as there can be from this period. Generally - wisely, perhaps - it doesn't make any strong political statements. The backdrop is presented as more a slice of life, with bigger themes going uncommented on and of less concern than its own particular story. It was not aiming to be on the right side of history - or the wrong side - it was just trying to be entertaining. It does that but also works on a relatively neutral, documentary level.

I hadn't seen Gold for 20-30 years. The film stayed with me from my childhood but has largely disappeared from our screens, partly due its age but almost certainly because of where it was filmed (there was even a trigger warning on Talking Pictures TV). I don't fully understand the controversy as it is now more of a monument to its time, like being transported back to the 1970s - both literally and fictionally - without the social commentary or agenda that biases so much contemporary work. An initial choice for director was Steven Spielberg who probably wouldn't have given the film the same hard edge as Hunt. Laughably - for political reasons - Wales was put forward to double for South Africa, something that would have produced a hollow counterfeit of what the film is. Released between Moore's first two Bond films, it stands the test of time better than either.

Gold is still very watchable and, with the passing of several decades and all that has happened since, has the added benefit of being an interesting and genuine historical work. Well worth your viewing time.

Shirt-shedding Roger Moore (as Rodney "Rod" Slater) works in a Johannesburg, South Africa mine. After a suspicious accident, Mr. Moore gets promoted to General Manager, by nasty non-smoking Bradford Dillman (as Manfred Steyner); then, he meets Mr. Dillman's unfulfilled blonde wife, Susannah York (as Terry). Ms. York is the granddaughter of cigar-chomping mine-owner Ray Milland (as Hurry "H.H." Hirschfeld). Eventually, Moore unbuttons his shirt, then York unbuttons hers. While his wife skinny dips with Moore, Dillman plots to flood Mr. Milland's mine, drive up the price of "Gold", and collect the cash.

It's difficult to picture the suave, immaculate Moore spending years in the dirt - he sure cleans up well. But, the main problem with "Gold" lays with the boring romance - Moore and York look good together, but are saddled with a long, unexciting aboveground "who cares?" affair. The less seen Dillman and Milland are better without even kissing. And, frankly, the characters played by Tony Beckley (Stephen Marais) and Simon Sabela (John "Big King" Nkulu) seem more interesting. With at least six degrees of Oscar-connections, Maureen McGovern's non-hit "Wherever Love Takes Me" received "Academy Award" notice.

***** Gold (9/5/74) Peter Hunt ~ Roger Moore, Susannah York, Bradford Dillman, Ray Milland

I was very surprised when I saw this film. After all, by the time they made "Gold", South Africa was already being roundly condemned by many nations for its apartheid policies. In fact, soon film projects in the country would be a thing of the past and the fact that American and British actors appeared in the film and that much of it was filmed in South Africa surprised me. Perheps, however, they studio chose such a project because it really made the mine operators look like scum...and thereby was a criticism, indirectly, of apartheid.

The bosses at a gold mine in South Africa have a reprehensible scheme. They know that an underground lake is very close to one of their mines. And, if they accidentally drill too close, it will flood the mine and kill a lot of workers. BUT, it will also make the price of gold shoot to the moon...making them even richer! The problem is that the General Manager of the mine is killed in a mining accident and they trust that the new GM, Rod Slater (Roger Moore) will play along with their scheme. As for Slater, what he seems mostly interested in during most of the film is stupping the boss' wife (Susannah York).

To me, a major defect in the picture is spending so much time on the affair. First, it really didn't make a lot of sense. Second, it really had little to do with the plot. Third, it just seemed like a lot of padding. And, fourth, you really don't care about these two...other than, perhaps, seeing it as a chance for Slater to do to his boss' wife what the boss plans on doing to everyone else!

Overall, a rather pedestrian handling of material that could have been a lot better. Not a bad film...but not a very good one either.

By the way, I have been to South Africa twice--spending about a month there. One thing I loved about the country were the lovely accents...none of which I heard during the course of "Gold"!