skoogs-3

When sci-fi came to the movies in short trousers, this was the fare served to the young masses. Total 'B' movie hokum for vintage sci-fi buffs only. It was probably made on a budget of $300.00 and possibly came in with a profit of $200.00. But put it this way; Steven Spielberg, wonderful and fantastic director as he is, could not replicate this film in the exact same form. It belongs where it is in the past.

I love Laurence Olivier therefore I had to see this film even though he was taking the part of a cop. But he is a top cop and did it almost blindfolded. The others thrashed along behind him but were excellent with Marita Hunt, Carol Lesley and Noel Coward being standouts. Clive Revill, who is a cracking actor, was not in his strongest role and suffered as a consequence. The film, tagged as a mystery, kept being mysterious until towards the end when we were all let in on the secret but had to endure an overlong conclusion which I feel let the film down.

I've never had an inkling of this film yet from the first few notes of the introductory music (John Barry) the singer (Shirley Bassey) and the opening credit animation were the all the hallmarks of James Bond. After that the story deteriorated into self indulgent scenes of, well, self indulgence actually. I did enjoy the the cameo scene of John Barry conducting the orchestra but unfortunately not the music. He hasn't changed since his days with the 'John Barry Seven'. A handsome man and usually a beautiful music maker.