RICHARD HARRIS is an informer who works his way into THE MOLLY MAGUIRES, a rebellious group and a secret society of Irish immigrants working under brutal coalmining conditions of 1876. Harris is suspected of snooping by SEAN CONNERY, the leader of the group, and it is their scenes together that make the film worth watching.
Although realistically set in a Pennsylvania mining town, lovingly photographed with detailed attention to all the grime and soot, it fails to come to life as it should, given the caliber of the stars involved. SAMANTHA EGGAR has the only important female role and is a splendid addition to the cast, but somehow the film fails to have the kind of pace it needs to remain stimulating and reaches a rather inconclusive climax.
A very atypical score by Henry Mancini adds to the atmosphere, but this is a film that never had broad enough appeal for the mass market. Fans of Harris and Connery should find it rewarding enough.
Although realistically set in a Pennsylvania mining town, lovingly photographed with detailed attention to all the grime and soot, it fails to come to life as it should, given the caliber of the stars involved. SAMANTHA EGGAR has the only important female role and is a splendid addition to the cast, but somehow the film fails to have the kind of pace it needs to remain stimulating and reaches a rather inconclusive climax.
A very atypical score by Henry Mancini adds to the atmosphere, but this is a film that never had broad enough appeal for the mass market. Fans of Harris and Connery should find it rewarding enough.