As the countdown to the ICM French Film Challenge ending begun,I looked for a last-minute flick to view. Recently watching the OK OSS 117: Mission for a Killer (1965-also reviewed) I decided to join OSS 117 on another mission.
View on the film:
Bringing in Terence Young (and an uncredited Claude Sautet) to join the returning duo of Pierre Foucaud and Marcel Mithois in adapting Jean Bruce,the new writers give the franchise a sparkling Euro Spy makeover. Keeping OSS's mission straight-lined, the writers tune in an exciting fish out of water espionage tale, with OSS being unable to fully trust the Japanese secret service,and running into 007-style henchmen trying to put 0SS on the end of their swords. Mostly filmed in Tokyo and new to the series, director Michel Boisrond & returning cinematographer Marcel Grignon join in giving a new found energy for the franchise, with the bright lights and night clubs of Japan giving it a Euro Spy sheen,along with panning shots catching sight-gags of OSS being spied on. Karate-chopping him into action,Boisrond gives the action set-pieces a wonderfully over the top quality, from the gigantic henchmen knocking down walls to OSS hanging a baddie with a phone wire. Joining a returning Frederick Stafford as OSS, Marina Vlady gives the series a touch of Euro spy glamour as icy Wilson,who leads OSS with a Tokyo drifter.
View on the film:
Bringing in Terence Young (and an uncredited Claude Sautet) to join the returning duo of Pierre Foucaud and Marcel Mithois in adapting Jean Bruce,the new writers give the franchise a sparkling Euro Spy makeover. Keeping OSS's mission straight-lined, the writers tune in an exciting fish out of water espionage tale, with OSS being unable to fully trust the Japanese secret service,and running into 007-style henchmen trying to put 0SS on the end of their swords. Mostly filmed in Tokyo and new to the series, director Michel Boisrond & returning cinematographer Marcel Grignon join in giving a new found energy for the franchise, with the bright lights and night clubs of Japan giving it a Euro Spy sheen,along with panning shots catching sight-gags of OSS being spied on. Karate-chopping him into action,Boisrond gives the action set-pieces a wonderfully over the top quality, from the gigantic henchmen knocking down walls to OSS hanging a baddie with a phone wire. Joining a returning Frederick Stafford as OSS, Marina Vlady gives the series a touch of Euro spy glamour as icy Wilson,who leads OSS with a Tokyo drifter.