When looking round Talking Pictures free online catch-up service,I was intrigued to find a section titled "Cellar club", where Scream Queen Caroline Munro introduces two genre titles each week. A Hammer title I've not heard of before,I got set to see the glass shatter.
View on the film:
A production so troubled that Hammer studio head Michael Carreras made himself the director,after getting rid of original director Monte Hellman, this results in a number of amusing crash-zooms and sudden screen-wipes, when attempts are made to force the odd ends of disjointed footage together.
Whilst lacking the touch of Hammer glamour, the directors do edge towards the exotic glamour of the 60's Euro Spy movies, with extensive, hand-held shots down the streets of Hong Kong (which judging by the looks straight into the camera by the locals, was illegally filmed, giving it a much needed pinch of rawness.)
Becoming entangled not only in the under world, but also a muddled script, Stuart Whitman (who clearly did workouts for the role) gives a very good, blunt performance as Shatter, whilst in his final Hammer appearance, Peter Cushing brings a touch of class to proceedings as boo-hiss baddie Paul Rattwood, whose plans are left shattered.
View on the film:
A production so troubled that Hammer studio head Michael Carreras made himself the director,after getting rid of original director Monte Hellman, this results in a number of amusing crash-zooms and sudden screen-wipes, when attempts are made to force the odd ends of disjointed footage together.
Whilst lacking the touch of Hammer glamour, the directors do edge towards the exotic glamour of the 60's Euro Spy movies, with extensive, hand-held shots down the streets of Hong Kong (which judging by the looks straight into the camera by the locals, was illegally filmed, giving it a much needed pinch of rawness.)
Becoming entangled not only in the under world, but also a muddled script, Stuart Whitman (who clearly did workouts for the role) gives a very good, blunt performance as Shatter, whilst in his final Hammer appearance, Peter Cushing brings a touch of class to proceedings as boo-hiss baddie Paul Rattwood, whose plans are left shattered.