xerses13
The most interesting thing about this movie is the eccentric turn of Ralph Richardson as Bulldog Drummond and Francis L. Sullivan as His nemesis Carl Peterson. Plus an early look at the young Ann Todd as Phyllis Drummond. The film reflects some of the crudity of British Film production outside of the films of Alexander Korda. Exhibiting the same level of competence as the 'Poverty Row' studios in Hollywood, like Mascot, Monogram or P.R.C, etc.Drummond leads a group of armed x-officers (The Black Clan) on a crusade against what is a perceived a threat to World peace led by Mr. Peterson. It was a popular theory that the GREAT WAR (WWI) was caused or manipulated into by Arms Cartels. Peterson's character being based on Basil Zaharoff. A international arms dealer affiliated with VICKERS with a more then suspect past of corruption, shady dealings, possible murder and sabotage too obtain His ends. Make a lot of money at other People's expense.Well our Hero's accomplish there goals and Peterson meets his deserved end. Is peace brought to the World, well no. Imperial Japan would initiated the fun with the start of the 2nd Sino-Japanese war in 1937. Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia would use the Spanish-Civil War as a testing ground and Italy would trash Ethiopia, wanting too create a new Roman Empire. Then in 1939 things really got going with a BANG, enter WWII! A reality far beyond what was imagined by THE RETURN OF BULLDOG DRUMMOND.
dnrivers
Wonder why all of the other Drummond films are easily available and this one is scarce. No I don't. This one actually displays the political left in a SOMEWHAT unfavorable light (now think of it: would anyone complain if Nazis were displayed unfavorably - of course not - but the extreme left has murdered millions more and should be subject to the same level of scorn). Anyway the film is a take on Sapper's The Black Gang and actually is otherwise a typical Drummond entry. Think of it as the James Bond of its day. Richardson not the best Drummond but none were (are). Technically the bad guy is not a leftist and the movie lets the true hard leftists get away with just being dupes.Enjoyable for its non-conformist politics. Entertaining B movie.
malcolmgsw
This is a particularly feeble attempt at a Bulldog Drummond film.There is a plot of sorts but that more or less comes to an end when Richardon encounters Francis L Sullivan.Then it is just a case of them trying to outwit each other.The film then employs some extraordinarily silly devices to move the plot along.A nerve gas applied to an antimacassar,and a henchman who can "imitate" anyone.Then we move on to the scene where the car hurtles into the water,only you can see the rope attached to the rear axle.Richardson who has been paralysed by the gas then manages to struggle out of the car.The climax at the house is awful.When Richardson and Todd are in danger of drowning Algy suddenly gets the idea to go to their rescue.After all what sort of hero is it who actually has to be rescued at the climax.Todd is top billed but difficult to understand why when she is only in the film for a few minutes.Richardson is allowed to overact far to much.He would turn in a far superior characterisation as the villain in the following years "Bulldog Jack" which is a far superior film.Difficult to understand why the distributors chose to release this film bearing in mind that they have many more superior BIP and ABPC films in their vaults.Incidentally about 10 minutes in there was a sound defect on the soundtrack.Why was a disc released with this?
GManfred
Finally got a hold of this title as it's very hard to come by. I enjoy Bulldog Drummond and his pal Algy and I was not disappointed here. As stated by a previous reader this one is markedly different from all other Bulldog dramatizations in that it's played straight and is not at all tongue-in-cheek. I found Ralph Richardson a stalwart, cocky Drummond very able to take care of himself despite some ineffectual-looking fight scenes. I also found Claude Allister an enormously different Algy from the one portrayed by Reginald Denny - Allister's, for some odd reason, is a silly-ass Englishman type complete with monocle and Terry-Thomas delivery.Oh, alright, I suppose the overriding theme was pacifist in nature but as a 'yank' I didn't have Neville Chamberlain in the back of my mind - I just wanted to see a good old-fashioned Bulldog movie, and I got one. It moved quickly with very little down time and it held my interest throughout. I thought Writer-Director Walter Summers did a thorough job and did himself and viewers a big favor by inserting a slimy villain in the person of Francis L. Sullivan, a veteran of slimy villain parts.Good 'Bulldog' and worth my vote of a 7.
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