Review of When Eight Bells Toll

Designed as the first in a series of thrillers to rival the Bond series (familiar story?), this Alistair MacLean adaptation is a quality little spy adventure. In a very early film of his career, Anthony Hopkins plays British Treasury agent Phillip Calvert (former naval officer), a man who despises the lifestyle of his superiors and let's them know at every opportunity - his boss is wonderfully played by Robert Morley, who is quote happy to sit in his comfy, oak-paneled office. Hopkins, along with his pal Corin Redgrave, is assigned to investigate the hijacking and mysterious disappearances of bullion frigates in the Irish sea and encounters a marvelous supporting cast of Nathalie Delon, Jack Hawkins ( who is, bizarrely, dubbed by Charles Gray) , Ferdy Mayne, Wendy Allnutt (Yowza!) and Maurice Roëves (a decent actor who crops up here an there in bit-parts). The plot is a tad unclear, although the script is very good, particularly the sexual tension between Hopkins and Delon and there are some exciting set-pieces, most notably the helicopter attack. The Scottish backdrop provides beauty and there's a light, Thunderball-like score that complements refreshing bursts of violence in a taut, very decent film. Alas, the series didn't take off due to a poor box-office return, no doubt thanks to Sean Connery's return as Bond the same year.

4/5