That Man in Istanbul (1965) User Reviews

Another forgotten B jewel

[Artemis-9 · 7/10 · 31 August 2005]

This is one of the best action spy thrillers I saw, and believe me I've seen a lot.

Even by today's standards, it would be good, provided someone cared to restore it's brightly colour, perfect editing, and natural sound. The alternate soundless shots of a knife fight inside the hotel swimming pool, where he can see each detail of two athletic actors actually going at it, and the merry sounds of tourists on the esplanade above while still unawares of the drama close-by, has NEVER been recreated in any film, possibly because it was too much trouble, or there were no Horst Buccholz and Mario Adorf around.

The dialog was OK, and true grit, real lines, and delivered with realism. In that not only Buccholz was good, but the other actors, too, therefore grabbing the spectator into a quite realistic scenario. The story develops from a predictable ending into something quite different, therefore we miss the presence of Koscina in the later part of the story, but it is all for the best of the film.

The director was defending his name and career, but also his money in more ways than one, as he was one of the producers investing in the project through Isasi (Barcelona, Spain). It is a pity that there was never a VHS around that I know of, and that no DVD is made of such a precious B jewel.

Amusing and thrilling Euro-spy film co-produced by Spain/France/Italy , being professionally directed by Antonio Isasi Isasmendi

[ma-cortes · 6/10 · 19 October 2016]

Kelly (Sylva Koscina) is a gorgeous FBI agent who is investigating the disappearance of Professor Pensdergast (Umberto Raho) , director of a major US government research on nuclear energy . She arrives in Istambul where is the prime suspect , Tony Mecenas (Horst Buchholz) , a con who carries out illegal games supported by his hoodlums (Gustavo Ré , Alvaro De Luna) , being pursued by the stiff Inspector Mallouk (Angel Picazo) . In the course of the investigation , Kelly meets Tony , who , moved by the beauty of Kelly and the reward of one million dollars , will help her find the professor . As several international agents and Chinese spies track him , chase him , unarm or undress him , but Tony goes on his dangerous adventures full of action and amusement .

Fun and romantic snapshot in time and place in which a swindler falls in love with a beautiful agent . Stirring film in which there are nail-biting action scenes , intrigue , blasts , suspenseful set pieces and two big stars : Buchholz-Koscina , if not much continuity . An agreeable all action sixties Euro-nostalgia trip , being fast paced and rightly developed . An action filled European thriller flick in which the suspicious protagonist falls in love for his investigator and there are some thrilling chases along the way before the final takes a slight twist . Successful thriller that follows the exploits and moving adventures of a rogue trickster , the German Buchholz who played in ¨Magnificent Seven¨ and ¨1, 2 , 3..¨ and a wonderful secret agent , the attractive Croatian actress Koscina . Mid-sixties Istambul comes across as very European locations and serve as an excellent backdrop for most of the action . The plot was a satisfying mix of set pieces and unexpected plot twists . Sympathetic acting by Horst Buchholz as a kind of James Bond as well as a young and adventurous seducer , and stunningly accompanied by the really charming Sylva Koscina . Being a Spanish production here appear several notorious secondaries as Ángel Picazo , Álvaro De Luna , Alberto Dalbés , Gustavo Ré , Luis Induni , Antonio Molino Rojo , Victor Israel and Jorge Rigaud as CIA Chief . Evocative cinematography by Juan Gelpi , including the exotic '60s atmosphere , though a perfect remastering is necessary , because the film copy is washed-out . Being shot in Istambul that is widely and marvelously shown . Lively and catching musical score by Georges Garvarentz .

The director was defending his name and career , but also his money in more ways than one , as he was one of the producers investing in the project . Antonio Isasi Isasmendi is a good professional , a craftsman who has directed several films in diverse genres , as adventures and action , especially , such as : The dog 1979 , 1968 Las Vegas, 500 millions , 1963 The mask of Scaramouche and Summertime Killer . "That Man in Istanbul¨ results to be a surprisingly solid little film , including some action scenes very skillfully staged . Decent action/thriller is worth trying . This is a movie that's both entertaining and enlightening . Certainly worth watching if you're in the mood for something other than typical exploitation fare .

Spanish Bond with German Star!

[RodrigAndrisan · 7/10 · 12 July 2017]

Yes, it's one of those so many Eurospy made in the '60s, which amounts to a decent level, acceptable to a demanding spectator. Horst Buchholz (dead in 2003), one of the seven gunmen in "The Magnificent Seven"(1960), is here the beautiful boy who beats and shoot everyone and stays with the girl in the end. The girl is the beautiful Sylva Koscina(dead in 1994), the woman-killer Penelope in "Deadlier Than the Male", here an American agent. Klaus Kinski(dead in 1991), as a villain, as usual, appears too little. Gérard Tichy(dead in 1992), another villain, appears more than him. Last but not least, Mario Adorf, the best actor in the whole film, as in all the movies he played, a living legend, is another villain. Him and the director, Antonio Isasi, are the only still alive. The plot is cheap, as usual, a kidnapped nuclear expert, a lot of ransom money, a lot of Chinese spies, stupid Turkish policemen, etc. But is well done, not bad!

Fast Paced And Action Filled European Spy Flick

[sep1051 · 1 March 2002]

With the explosion of James Bond on to the film world in the early 1960's every producer tried to duplicate that genre. This multinational European effort is relatively fast paced and doesn't take itself too seriously.

A $ I million ransom has been paid for kidnapped American nuclear scientist Dr. Pendergast (Umberto Raho) but he has not been returned. American secret agent Kenny (Sylvia Koscina) goes to Istanbul, Turkey to investigate. There she teams up with expatriate American gambling club owner Tony Maecenas (Horst Buchholz) and his henchman Brain (Gustavo Re) and Bogo (Alvaro de Luna). They trace the missing scientist through a trail of villains; from Hansi (Gerard Tichy) to Gunther (Agustin Gonzalez) to Bill (Mario Adorf) to Schenck (Klaus Kinski). Along the way they compete with Chinese agents and rescue a kidnapped heiress Elisabeth (Perrette Pradier). Trust me, reading the plot here is a lot clearer than trying to follow the movie!

One of the attractions of this movie is the continuous action. It keeps moving, covers a number of locales (i.e. gambling clubs, mosques, ferries, public baths, hotel pools, boats) and involves a lot of fights. While obviously not having the budget of the James Bond movies it does its best to exploit the Istanbul scenery.

The movies doesn't take itself to seriously and Tony is a font of one liners. Whether you enjoy the movie is largely dependent on how to like Buchholz's performance. Another commentator described him as "annoyingly smug" and, if you don't relate to the tongue in cheek humor, that is how you may find him. Koscina starts off as central to the movie but quickly fades into the background as action scenes with Buchholz take over. The performances of the other actors are hard to judge given that you have German, Italian and Spanish actors dubbed into English. However I enjoyed, who wouldn't, the impeccably dressed and throughly nasty Kinski.

I can't really comment on the technical credits inasmuch as the video copy was very "washed out" but, even when I have seen it on TV, I have yet to see a really decent print.

The imitation James Bond sub-genre have their own rules and by that standard this faced paced and action filled film is an acceptable treat.

EuroSpy Movie with Horst BUCHHOLZ, Mario ADORF and Klaus KINSKI

[ZeddaZogenau · 7/10 · 8 February 2024]

It's a really cool thing that the German-French television station ARTE is including this EuroSpy classic with Berlin star Horst BUCHHOLZ (1933-2003) as a James Bond blend. Especially since ARTE can no longer only be seen in France and Germany, but also in other European countries.

Of course, this Bond imitator doesn't come close to the original, but that's not a bad thing. The Berlin world star Horst BUCHHOLZ impresses as a smart secret agent in Istanbul. At that time, 3.745 million visitors wanted to see it in West German cinemas. Of course, the beautiful women in the form of Sylva KOSCINA (LE FATICHE DI ERCOLE with Steve REEVES) and the enchanting Christiane MAYBACH should not be missing. EUROPEAN FILM AWARD nominee Mario ADORF (he was nominated for ROSSINI in 1997) and villain from the service Klaus KINSKI are also there. You can tell that Horst BUCHHOLZ had a lot of fun with his role. In the nineties he achieved another real global success with his role in "LA VITA E BELLA" by ACADEMY AWARD winner Roberto BENIGNI.

Lots of good action in this 60s Euro-Spy effort

[bensonmum2 · 7/10 · 30 June 2009]

The U.S. government is double-crossed when they pay a $1 million ransom for the return of a top scientist. They lose both the money and the scientist. Agent Kenny (Sylva Koscina) is sent to Istanbul to investigate. She enlists the aid of a gambler named Tony Mescenas (Horst Buchholz) to assist her in finding the scientist with the promise that he can keep the $1 million. The trail leads Tony and Kenny through the streets, masques, and waterways of Istanbul. Will the U.S. government get what it wants? Will Tony get what he wants? And will Kenny get out alive?

That Man in Istanbul is a very good entry in the 1960s Euro-Spy cannon. While the film may lack some of the usual over-the-top spy accoutrements, it doesn't lack in exciting chase scenes, gun play, or fist fights. In fact, the action is pretty much non-stop. Director Antonio Isasi-Isasmendi keeps the pace at a high level throughout most of the film. The fight at the top of the masque tower, Tony's jump to the boat, and the underwater knife fight are real highlights. Both of the film's leads, Horst Buchholz and Sylva Koscina, turn in more than competent performances. A solid supporting cast, particularly Klaus Kinski and Gustavo Re, is more than up to the task. Throw in a bit of humor, suspense, intrigue, and some wonderful shots of 1960s era Istanbul and you've got the makings of a very entertaining film. If I have a couple of complaints they would be Koscina's screen time (she's absent for most of the second act) and the overall length of the movie (cutting 15 or 20 minutes would help). Still, a very enjoyable experience. I'll give it a 7/10.

Running Around all Over Istanbul

[Bogmeister · 5/10 · 10 May 2008]

MASTER PLAN: kidnap scientists and keep the ransom money. The James Bond film this obviously calls to mind first is "From Russia From Love" but, besides the locations, there is very little actual similarity. Horst (the snot-nosed hothead member of the original "Magnificent Seven") stars as a well-known rascally adventurer who is forced to foil the dastardly schemes of a criminal organization after he's targeted as an initial suspect. Koscina offers support as the FBI agent sent in to figure things out; she was in a few such roles in the sixties (see "Hot Enough For June" and "Deadlier Than the Male"). The story jumps around and drags in the first half, as well as being hard to follow. It's also a bit too long at nearly two hours and, as mentioned elsewhere, only washed out prints of the picture seem to be available.

The action really picks up in the 2nd half, with Tony (Horst) doing a lot of running around in Istanbul, whether being chased or doing the chasing. At one point, he's thrown off a tower during a fight in the closest we get to a spectacular sequence. The best action bit, though, is when he uses a bulletproof glass table while an assassin takes potshots at him (the killer is played by Kinski in a small, yet memorable role). The action is sort of a mixture of slapstick and straightforward thrills which never really finds the right tone; a lot of it is presented as serious danger, yet Horst also winks at the audience a couple of times. He's probably a bit too cute for Bond fans, strictly for the girls. There's also some surprising (for mid-sixties cinema) bits of female nudity. Hero:6 Villains:5 Femme Fatales:6 Henchmen:4 Fights:5 Stunts/Chases:5 Gadgets:3 Auto:3 Locations:6 Pace:6 overall:5

Too long; Koscina and Kinski underused

[gridoon2024 · 5/10 · 20 June 2008]

A handsome hero with a shady past and a knack for adventure (Horst Buchholz), a beautiful heroine assisting him (Sylva Koscina), evil masterminds and agents, kidnapped scientists, an exotic setting (Istanbul), fights & chases, etc: the stage is set for a 60's Bond-inspired spy adventure. This one begins pretty well, but loses its spark when Koscina (one of the most underrated spy girls of the decade - see also "Deadlier Than The Male") disappears for long sections. Klaus Kinski also elevates the few scenes he is in (and has the best line in the film: "I am considered a good shot by those I have killed"!), but, like Koscina, he is underused. Buchholz is pretty good, both in the tongue-in-cheek and in the more violent moments, but the film is too long at 119 minutes, and about halfway through I began to lose the plot. At least it's better produced than many of these Bondian imitations, though the current VHS prints, fullscreen and worn-out, don't exactly do the production justice. (**)

Enjoyable all action sixties Euro-nostalgia trip

[Gordon_Harker · 8/10 · 25 July 2009]

I caught this last week on the German 3rd / regional channel RBB, unaccountably included on a Spanish hotel cable TV service. Unfortunately for me, with a lot of work to do the following day, I couldn't bear to turn it off, so got to bed rather late. Why? Because as most of the other reviewers have noted, it's really rather good. The action just keeps flowing and the entirely watchable cast imbue the whole thing with a decent slickness.

Spanish director Antonio Isasi-Isasmendi captured the emerging glamour/spy zeitgeist with style, underpinned with a workmanlike eye for detail (I forgive him the wrecked car replacements, I'm sure the budget was not over generous). The occasional asides of the Tony Mecenas hero are fine in the context of the time and probably soften the otherwise implausibly super-human aspects of the character. It's a technique already pioneered in similar genres, e.g. Roger Moore's "The Saint".

Mid-sixties Istanbul comes across as very Euro-Mediterranean and serves as an excellent backdrop for most of the action. The plot was a satisfying mix of set pieces (meaning that one felt at home with the genre) and unexpected twists (meaning that there was no way the viewer could foresee the eventual outcome). Like a number of other reviewers, I also found the relatively low profile of Sylva Koscina for much of the action to be a bit of a shame, having fallen for her somewhat after watching the excellent "Deadlier Than The Male" recently.

P.S. Retro-discovering these decently constructed sixties Euro-thrillers, particularly those made totally outside the Anglo-American sphere, has become a real pleasure in recent years.

A fun and romantic snapshot in time

[lamorak13 · 10/10 · 12 June 2013]

I have always been nostalgic about this Euro-Spy film. When very young, I picked up the soundtrack (which is still available if you look for it) and used to listen and dream about exotic locales, adventure, and of course about that special woman that would be a part of it all. I especially like(d) the Ray Anthony song "Love was Right Here all the Time" which plays at the end against a dark screen when the audience is supposed to leave the theater. Just minutes earlier the leading man, Horst Bucholz, had given his heart to the leading lady, then winked at the audience and confided verbally: "It happens to everyone sooner or later." Many in the audience must have smiled and left the matinée filled with no little amount of delight and renewed hope! Also available are lobby cards and a few B&W photos from the movie. If this movie was ever released on VHS in North America, I'm totally unaware of it. In Europe, yes, but apparently many years ago. I finally acquired a copy of this film, dubbed in English, and with Greek subtitles in DVD which had either been taken off Greek television, or a European VHS. My nostalgia was only increased by spending a week in Istanbul myself, as part of the People-to-People Program for "Student Ambassadors," five years after the movie came out. It is Istanbul as I remember it. Twenty-six years later I again journeyed across Turkey and can say that old, freer, almost magical feel that once was Istanbul was largely gone, and the same can be said for all the islands and seacoasts of the Eastern Mediterranean region. So, for me the movie is a fun and romantic snapshot in time.

Tongue-in-cheek, campy affair

[tcman2 · 22 December 2003]

This movie is funny, if campy. Think Peter Sellers meets Sean Connery. It's sometimes serious, sometimes satirical, always a little odd. If you're in the mood for something a bit off-key, this is your movie. "What, me worry?" Classic!

Lame cash-in on the '60s spy craze

[Kitty-66-2 · 2 April 2000]

I saw this on late-night broadcast TV in the early '80s, when old spy movies were a dime a dozen on New York City-area TV. I remember boyishly handsome Horst Buchholtz doing a pretty poor job of aping Sean Connery/Robert Vaughn/Robert Culp as the cool, suave secret agent; Horst came off as annoyingly smug. There was enough good action (including a fun chase through the sewers) and exotic '60s atmosphere, though, to make it enjoyable fluff for fans of the genre. If this diehard spy movie fan could find it on video, she'd pay $10 to own a copy.