Bob Monell

MMM 83 1966 72 MINUTES American International Television (U.S.) DIRECTED BY SERGIO BERGONZELLI WITH: FRED BEIR, ALBERTO DALBES, PIER ANGELI, SYLVIA SOLER, GERARD BLAIN ======================================= Features Reviews Video Resources Links Credits (a.k.a. MISSIONE MORTALE MOLO 83) As this Italian-French-Spanish obscurity was released directly to American TV, bypassing theatrical venues, only late night viewers and insomniacs caught it in the 1960s. The story is routine: An wise-cracking agent (Fred Beir) is assigned by French Intelligence to protect a scientist (Gerard Blain) who has been working on a secret formula. Counteragents make numerous attempts on their lives until the final shoot-out on Wharf 83 in Hamburg, West Germany. A twist ending reveals that the scientist is actually a counteragent, too. The only available video print runs a scant 72 minutes, which explains the huge plot gaps and general loopy feel of the proceedings. Sergio Bergonzelli directs with more style and visual panache than some of his later sex films. For action addicts, there's a cleverly staged shoot-out in an ancient amphitheater in Sicily; as well as a fun car chase through the Swiss Alps, in which we see an amusing shot of one of the Swiss buglers familiar from the Ricola candy TV commercials. The acting is slightly above average, with the long forgotten Fred Beir making an impression as a dashing, acerbic-tongued secret agent who slips from gentlemanly disdain to brutal violence in a split second. Gerard Blain adds some savior faire to the rather ordinary role of the scientist, and Pier Angeli is beautiful but looking somewhat anorexic here. She seems very depressed in MMM 83, being the victim of an untalented costume designer who had her wear unflattering coats and suits with matching pill-box hats. Robert Monell =======================================