Woodyanders
Cocky pickpocket Sky McCoy (an insipid performance by James Brolin, who looks mighty handsome, but projects all the charisma of a 200 pound block of wood) steals a microfilm from a purse on a bus that various government agents from different countries want for themselves.While the basic premise sounds pretty gripping and exciting, this movie alas fizzles more than sizzles due to Robert D. Webb's bland direction, a crippling paucity of tension, a plodding pace, and a blah script that gets bogged down in too much tedious talk. Fortunately, the solid acting from a capable cast just manages to keep this picture watchable: Jacqueline Bisset as the feisty Candy (Bisset looks positively ravishing in this film!), Claire Trevor as brassy old dame informant Sam Williams, Bob Courtney as the no-nonsense Captain Herrick, John Whiteley as slimy traitorous jerk Joey, and Gordon Mulholland as hard-nosed police chief Du Plessis. Moreover, the groovy jazz score by Bob Adams and Joe Kentridge does the right-on boppin' trick while David Millin's competent cinematography makes the most out of the gorgeous Cape Town scenery. This listless picture finally bursts to life towards the end with an fierce fist fight between Brolin and Whiteley, but it's a classic case of too little too late. A passable diversion at best.
moonspinner55
Remake of Sam Fuller's 1953 noir "Pickup On South Street" takes place, for no discernible reason, in South Africa! Jacqueline Bisset is the clueless courier for a Communist spy ring--carrying secret microfilm in her purse--whose career is derailed after a pick-pocket snatches her loot on the bus. New faces at the time, Bisset and James Brolin look terribly unsure (and unhappy) throughout. Distributed by 20th Century-Fox, the film doesn't look terrible, but is overrun with outdated clichés, inept direction and writing, and a music score from Bob Adams and Joe Kentridge that never sets a proper mood (with a whistled theme that faintly recalls "Baby Elephant Walk" to boot!). Unnecessary, forgettable spy stuff may be useful as a cure for insomniacs. NO STARS from ****
Hitchcoc
Silly byplay between a few characters. A master pickpocket. A burned out police detective. A bunch of Commies. A piece of film. Some less than memorable acting. James Brolin, running the gamut of emotions from A to B. A confusing, endless story which continues to beg questions all along the way. There are some relationships that are left for us to figure out. The film is just so dull. I think all this cold war stuff has to at least have a little bit of causality. You can't have a suspense (or spy) movie without knowing what, exactly, the bad guys get out of the key piece of evidence. As usual, lots of people go through lots of wasted motion. Jacqueline Bisset is somewhat interesting, but even her role isn't very clealr.
mack-16
The best part of this film is the opportunity to visit Cape Town, South Africa during the height of Apartheid. As a low-budget, spy thriller, it is shot in as many unmodified local settings as possible. Street shots are right in the heart of the downtown and there are harbor shots and scenes from within the Police Headquarters. The photos on the wall give away the time frame as well.Claire Trevor is the only actor credited in some Film Compendia and I wonder if both Brolin and Bisset paid not to be listed!Brolin plays a hard-boiled petty thief and "Jacky" Bisset plays a runner for the spy ring. Claire Trevor plays Sam, the connecting character to the world of petty crime and espionage.
AD
