Bogmeister MASTER PLAN: assassinate a scientist who has a new formula. This isn't really a parody of the James Bond secret agent thriller, more like a copy of the already slightly absurd sub-genre. It's more direct in this respect than the other imitators of this decade because this depicts the same covert agency of the Bond universe, not the new worlds of, say, 'Flint' or Matt Helm. The double-0 agent here (Adams) isn't some fumble-witted fool like, for example, the "The Liquidator," who hates to kill anyone; no, this Vine character really is the 2nd best agent, able to kill bad guys left & right quite effectively. The tone and plot are not ridiculous, containing only some subtle satirical jabs here & there - the most outrageous is probably in the teaser, depicting a strange assassination. Then Sammy Davis Jr. sings the somewhat over-the-top title song ("The 2nd Best Secret Agent..."). There's an amusing copycat scene of Bond's first meeting with M from "Dr.No," Vine has a similarly fluid way to Bond with the ladies in bed, there's a sly reference to "Goldfinger" and he uses a silencer gun with an extra-long barrel, which I'm sure sent a signal to some viewers on the meaning. But, other than that, the action is pretty straightforward, with the agent's main mission protecting a scientist who has invented a new gravity formula (or anti-gravity; depends on how you look at it). See also "The Glass Bottom Boat" for another sample of the preoccupation with gravity formulas around this time. The writers included some dialog that even explores and attempts to explain such a secret agent's approach to life and his job, a commentary on the whole Bond outlook, which may or may not ring true. This was always left to the imagination in the Bond films, not spoken outloud.There's a repetitive quality to the story, which may strike some as a weakness. There are several attempts by assassins on the life of the scientist; these bits usually take place on a road somewhere - the heroes are tricked into stopping the car and then Vine has to demonstrate why he's still alive and almost the best in the business. There's even a weak instance of the assassins delaying their termination of Vine and the scientist for no reason, including even the lame 'last cigarette gambit' by Vine, but most of the scenes do contain elements of tension and excitement. There's even some suspense regarding the motivations and true goals of the scientist. Probably due to a small budget, the film steers away from any spectacular set-pieces of the later Bond films of "Goldfinger" and after, but this just means it resembles the basic espionage plot lines of "Dr.No" and "From Russia With Love." Don't expect huge explosions or sets, just some standard gun-play and tepid auto chases. The writers also threw in a doppelganger subplot towards the end, which builds on the 'false death' scenarios of a couple of Bonders. There are no really memorable villains, with mostly some Cold War Soviet intrigue behind-the-scenes, including actor Bull from "Dr.Strangelove" in a similar role. As Vine, Adams is adequate; he certainly lacks the charisma and presence of Connery, and he's almost too humorless in the role. It's probably better that he didn't stray into tongue-in-cheek silliness, but his lack of expression throughout was a bit too stiff and a little on the dull side. He would return once more in "Where The Bullets Fly." Hero:6 Villains:6 Femme Fatales:5 Henchmen:6 Fights:6 Stunts/Chases:6 Gadgets:4 Auto:5 Locations:5 Pace:6 overall:6

ShadeGrenade The first part of a trilogy starring Tom Adams as British secret agent 'Charles Vine', a man equally adept with both girl and gun. For his first assignment, he is assigned to protect Swedish scientist 'Henrik Jakobsen' ( Karel Stepanek ) who claims to be on the verge of a great scientific breakthrough - a gravity control device known as 'Regrav'. Not only will it revolutionise the transport system, but is capable of creating a force field to protect a country from nuclear attack. The British want Regrav, so do the Russians. From the moment Jakobsen steps off the plane, both his and Vine's life are in danger. The enemy are ruthless and cunning - deploying fake policemen, soldiers, transvestite killers, and even a double of Vine - to try and get what they want. All he has on his side is a Mauser Broomhandle, his wits and his fists. Made on a budget which wouldn't have paid for one of 007's Vodka Martinis, this little-known British spy film is surprisingly good. Adams is handsome and laconic and could - in my view - have made a fine Bond ( one wonders if he was ever seriously considered for the role ). A throwaway reference to "that chap who cracked the gold conspiracy" puts Vine in the same universe as Bond. Like 007, Vine has his own twangy guitar theme tune which plays whenever he walks into a room. The supporting cast is fine, particularly Francis De Wolff as 'Walter Pickering' of the Foreign Office and Peter Bull as the scheming criminal boss 'Masterman', while John Arnatt steals the show as Vine's boss Rockwell - his explanation of events to Vine at the hospital is brilliantly delivered. Look out for the lovely Judy Huxtable ( a.k.a, 'the computer centre girl' ) - she later married Peter Cook. The script is well-written, beginning with a teaser worthy of 'The Avengers' in which Henrik's brother August ( Robert Marsden ) is gunned down by enemy agents on Hampstead Heath, and climaxing with a multi-double cross shoot-out in London's docklands. Lindsay Shonteff pulls off some decent action scenes, using the city of London to good effect. If 'Licensed To Kill' can be compared to any Bond film, its 'From Russia With Love', as once again agents of the East and West are played off against one another by a mysterious third party. Vine's miniature gun is a real hoot! Very underrated film. Shown in America as 'The Second Best Secret Agent In The Whole Wild World'.Things To Look Out For - during the opening titles, when Tom Adams' credit appears, in the bottom right-hand corner you can see a caricature of Vine, holding a gun and smoking a cigarette. Vine's next mission was 'Where The Bullets Fly' ( 1966 ). Shonteff had nothing to do with it, sadly, and it shows.

Deusvolt Wielding a heavy broomhandle Mauser, double 00 agent Tom Adams shows how to shoot down a helicopter by concentrating on its tail blades. Predicting an ambush, he sneaks to the rear of his enemies and shoots them summarily in the back of their heads without quarter or qualm. He shoots and kills a dozen or so people in this movie, some from a moving car in busy London traffic, with the nonchalance of Al Capp's Detective 'Fearless' Fosdick.The action scenes are well executed and Tom Adams is better built than Sean Connery and certainly lacks the jocular effeteness of Roger Moore. He sort of looks like those goony secret service men who guard the President of the United States. In short, he looks like the real thing.I understand from an IMDb correspondent that there was one sequel to this film. It turns out there are two but their reviews are not promising.This was shown in the Philippines under the title Licensed to Kill.

bluegerm Any actor who carries....and can PROPERLY LOAD ...a Mauser Broomhandle has GOTTA worth an hour or two of my time. And Tom Adams as Charles Vine can sure do THAT. He's suave, sophisticated, very-British, and carries an odd-ball handgun. Wow!I first saw this movie, via Turner's Chanel 17, when I was in college. It seemed to me to be head and shoulders above the average James Bond-wannabies. It stuck with me well enough I watched the second film, called WHERE THE BULLETS FLY, when it was offered.My only regret is, since TIME-WARNER took over Turner Television, many of these 'small' films are lost...never re-shown....by these out-of-touch cost-accountants that run TW.Take my advice...if offered a chance to see LICENSED TO KILL or WHERE THE BULLETS FLY, give it a chance. It MIGHT just grow on you.