Inside Out

Two rather likable but dodgy characters are persuaded by a German ex-army officer to co-operate with his plan to recover some Nazi gold some twenty five years later - various others are then roped in. A particularly ingenious plot makes this film a constant nerve-tingler, with extremely good use of music and atmospheric lighting, and small twists in the script to add further tension. The momentum is maintained right up to the very end. The characterisation is unusually original, each character having distinctive quirks, with the exception that the German plotter is portrayed somewhat stereotypically as entirely lacking a sense of humour or remorse. The dialogue is sharp and witty, with special effects relegated to a minimum, making a welcome change from the 1990s films which can be over-reliant on such devices. For those with an interest in retro-chic, the 1970s clothes & cars will add a further pleasure. Also of interest is the depiction of Berlin at the height of its Cold War division. A definite must-see for those who find modern mainstream films too heavy on explosions and too light on plot and dialogue.

I, accidently, came upon this film on the Starz Mystery Channel while channel surfing yesterday. I'm so very glad that I did. I found it to be a fast paced, suspenseful, sometimes humorous, caper "flick". IMHO, the entire cast of International actors is excellent. Telly Savalas and Robert Culp do a great job as two American WW2 military veterans who join forces with an ex German officer, nicely played by James Mason, to spearhead an attempt to retrieve $6 million in gold ingots hidden beneath a German air raid shelter during the war. To do so they must manage to get a German war criminal out of a top security prison where he is the only prisoner. Then, after getting the needed information concerning the whereabouts of the gold from him, they must get him back into his cell as if nothing had ever happened. Aldo Ray does a great job as the head noncom of the US contingent guarding the prisoner who, fortunately, is an old war buddy of Savalas and, for a price, agrees to aid in the caper. As the plot twists unfold, the suspense builds to a very satisfying conclusion. Near the end of the film there is a great scene of an exchange between Savalas as a bogus Army Major and the US Colonel who is in charge of the prison whenever the Americans are on watch. The conversation between Savalas and the Colonel is wonderful. The Colonel is extremely hostile but Savalas bluffs him with a classic conversational style containing a not too subtle threat to inform the proper authorities of the Colonel's non-cooperation. I found those few minutes to be priceless. For the most part, I found this movie to be free of the cliches that normally are found in a caper film. Also, the conclusion of the film is different than that of most other films of this type. If you watch this film I hope that you will enjoy it as much as I did.

A great fast paced action yarn. This film stars Telly Savalas as a man who lives the high life, but soon becomes pressed for cash. He gets word from an ex German soldier, (played by James Mason) about missing gold; lost since the war. Savalas forms a small group of people to hunt for this lost gold. The films age shows when the characters make a dangerous attempt to cross between both areas of Berlin. This film serves as an excellent time capsule film, made during Savalas's Kojak fame.

Very good film with very basic ideas. The authentic street scenes and close up acting were and still are very powerful and believable. Old world movie with a nice story and acting all round kept pace going well. A film you can watch then in another 20 years try it again.

Riddled with bills, con artist Harry Morgan (Telly) cooks up caper with his "associates," in this dated, yet enjoyable flick. The turns and twists of the plot are not exactly breathtaking, but it's just plain good fun. It involves a plot to hatch out of prison an aging Nazi, who knows the location of a hidden stash of gold, and then put him back before the prison officials are any wiser. The plot complications arise from there, to bribery of certain US military types to bribery of certain Soviet military types(!). Eeghads! Now, don't you know Telly has a "full plate" with this movie?!

It actually comes off as pretty slick, humorous and at times, surreal. It is also a testament of the affection that many in Europe had for Mr. Savalas, whom when I lived there, was widely evident. With a strong, supporting, international cast; including James Mason, Robert Culp, Gunter Meisner and Aldo Ray, INSIDE OUT is quite enjoyable.