The 2nd Best Secret Agent in the Whole Wide World (1965) User Reviews

Best Of The Bond Satires Ever Made

[sataft-2 · 7/10 · 22 March 2001]

I viewed this film when it opened in the US in 1965 (right in the middle of the James Bond craze), and I never forgot it. The American title was " The Second Best Secret Agent In The Whole Wide World". And the tag line for it was, " He's only number two, but he's just as good as the higher priced agent".

The lead British actor, Tom Adams, plays the main character as though he was born to the role. In an easy laid back fashion that exudes a sincere confidence, his 'tongue in cheek' performance is just right for this film. He's believable, satirical and funny where it counts. In essence, he was perfectly cast for this well done, if not the best, of the James Bond Spoof's.

The plot is, at times, a bit confusing. But what the film lacked in story-line is made up for by the well paced action sequences. Just when you think you might become bored, something happens and you're caught up in the whole affair once again. And the black and white photography well captures the mood of the time.

For many who are devotees of the 1950's - 1960's espionage drama era, this film is a must see. If for no other reason, simply the pure fun of it.

Blasting Away with The Broomhandle Mauser

[HalfCentury · 7/10 · 18 April 2006]

The Charles Vine character made quite an impression on me at 12 (maybe 13) years of age. The "other guy" 007 we are lead to believe, has some sort of distraction keeping him from the important task of protecting a defecting Soviet scientist with the secret of anti gravity or perpetual motion or somesuch breakthrough. Charles Vine will have to do. As Sammy Davis JR sings, He's The Second, Not the First, but The Second Best Secret Agent in The Whole Wide Worrrrld.

An "M" stand in looks Vine over and heartily disapproves of his hand cannon, a broomhandle mauser, in a special holster that covers his entire lower back. He has several scenes where he is blasting away with this great weapon. One car chase where he leans out the window with a long silencer on the ww1 vintage pistol "Thwipp, Thwipp, Thwipping" at the enemies car in the middle of busy daytime London traffic. Later, stoppped at an enemy roadblock, he does a trickey behind his back shot, shooting through his coat, then rolls into the middle of the road and from his back shoots the other enemies, shell casing flying. All of this action barely ruffles his hair.

His final battle places him against a master assassin with holey socks and his own silenced mauser. Charles Vine has to keep his cool and load the trickey top loading magazine of his mauser out of earshot of the close by Red assassin. The Gun was the co star. I have the very popular facsimile of the broomhandle mauser that is commonly used by fans of Star Wars to recreate the Han Solo blaster. What a horror to discover that this whole great memory of a blood thirsty intense spy drama is actually played as a super silly spoof. Completely tongue in cheek at all times. Catch it if you can. I have it on video tape and have no memory of how I came by it.

Tom Adams is tougher and manlier than all the other James Bond actors combined.

[Deusvolt · 7/10 · 12 November 2005]

Wielding a heavy broomhandle Mauser, double 00 agent Tom Adams shows how to shoot down a helicopter by concentrating on its tail blades. Predicting an ambush, he sneaks to the rear of his enemies and shoots them summarily in the back of their heads without quarter or qualm. He shoots and kills a dozen or so people in this movie, some from a moving car in busy London traffic, with the nonchalance of Al Capp's Detective 'Fearless' Fosdick.

The action scenes are well executed and Tom Adams is better built than Sean Connery and certainly lacks the jocular effeteness of Roger Moore. He sort of looks like those goony secret service men who guard the President of the United States. In short, he looks like the real thing.

I understand from an IMDb correspondent that there was one sequel to this film. It turns out there are two but their reviews are not promising.

This was shown in the Philippines under the title Licensed to Kill.

How I long to see this one again! Well, I did finally.

[karlericsson · 7/10 · 16 October 2001]

I saw this film when I was fourteen and now I'm 48. In the meantime, I've seen thousands of films but never again this film. Could I be mistaken in my memory of it, I asked myself. Then I got hold of Lindsay Shonteff's 'Big Zapper' and found a marvelous satire about most everything but especially about sex and violence, which is ridiculed most thoroughly in that film. I now believe my memory and this film is the one I most desire to see of all films lost to me. First of all, another reviewer wrote about 'black and white - photo'. This film was shot in wonderful color, especially vivid to me. There were the most endearing autumn colors. I fear there are some really gruesome copies out there, which do not do justice to this film. Now for the film. My impression of Tom Adams was then, that he made any other agent-actor, including Sean Connery and James Coburn (whom I both like), look like choir-boys in comparison. This man was no bull-s**t. Strapped on his back was a gun. He never drew it from where it was. He let it stay there and when meeting up with bad guys, he shot from the back, each time ruining an overcoat. He also had a small gun of one shot, which he could hide behind a matchbox if necessary and when offered a last smoke before dying, he reversed the cards. The gun on the back was however much more fun. In the end of the film, he is chased by 'Sadistikoff' (yes, a pun) through some alleys in the city, early in the morning (nobody else is around). Since everything is so quiet, he notices that his shoes are far too noisy. He takes them off and continues in his socks. Sadistikoff notices the same thing and takes his shoes off - you can see, that there are holes in his worn-out socks! Poor Russia. This silent scene all ends when Adams lets the lid of a garbage-can smash down and hides opposite it in a doorway or something of the kind. Sadistikoff comes in and empties his gun on the garbage-can. Adams steps out and Sadistikoff is history. Just to see Adams in this role again - what a treat! Will I ever again? I saw Adams in some spy-flick with Raquel Welch, in which he played a heavy. I was not mistaken. This guy really had charisma. Why was he stopped, I wonder? Refused to play ball? I don't know. Or was it Lindsay Shonteff, the director, who made Adams look so good and who is equally neglected? Quentin Tarantino hasn't seen this one, nor seems anyone else of those who claim to dig up lost diamonds. Dig this one up, if you can!

Well, I got a German copy of the film on VHS and must admit that time has not been too kind to it. The humor does however still remain and the film impresses now for the fact that it was obviously done on a shoestring budget.

It is also obvious, when seeing this film again, how little special effects mean in order to maintain your interest in a film. Had they blown up a real helicopter in the end of the film instead of no helicopter at all, which was the case obviously, it would not have made the film better or worse. In fact, action is highly overpraised. It is for idiots. A thinking man or woman look for other things in a movie, things that cost very little destruction and therefore little money. Such people look for a good plot that makes you feel more deeply or a dialogue that makes you think more deeply. The money then goes to the writer, the composer of music and the director who manages not to destroy a good plot and beautiful music and last but not least actors that are interesting people. This film had a decent plot and dialogue, a good craftsman of a director that could work with little money, very good actors and lousy music. Had Ennio Morricone done the score, it would have been a classic!

The Name is Vine, Charles Vine

[Bogmeister · 6/10 · 7 September 2007]

MASTER PLAN: assassinate a scientist who has a new formula. This isn't really a parody of the James Bond secret agent thriller, more like a copy of the already slightly absurd sub-genre. It's more direct in this respect than the other imitators of this decade because this depicts the same covert agency of the Bond universe, not the new worlds of, say, 'Flint' or Matt Helm. The double-0 agent here (Adams) isn't some fumble-witted fool like, for example, the "The Liquidator," who hates to kill anyone; no, this Vine character really is the 2nd best agent, able to kill bad guys left & right quite effectively. The tone and plot are not ridiculous, containing only some subtle satirical jabs here & there - the most outrageous is probably in the teaser, depicting a strange assassination. Then Sammy Davis Jr. Sings the somewhat over-the-top title song ("The 2nd Best Secret Agent..."). There's an amusing copycat scene of Bond's first meeting with M from "Dr. No," Vine has a similarly fluid way to Bond with the ladies in bed, there's a sly reference to "Goldfinger" and he uses a silencer gun with an extra-long barrel, which I'm sure sent a signal to some viewers on the meaning. But, other than that, the action is pretty straightforward, with the agent's main mission protecting a scientist who has invented a new gravity formula (or anti-gravity; depends on how you look at it). See also "The Glass Bottom Boat" for another sample of the preoccupation with gravity formulas around this time. The writers included some dialog that even explores and attempts to explain such a secret agent's approach to life and his job, a commentary on the whole Bond outlook, which may or may not ring true. This was always left to the imagination in the Bond films, not spoken outloud.

There's a repetitive quality to the story, which may strike some as a weakness. There are several attempts by assassins on the life of the scientist; these bits usually take place on a road somewhere - the heroes are tricked into stopping the car and then Vine has to demonstrate why he's still alive and almost the best in the business. There's even a weak instance of the assassins delaying their termination of Vine and the scientist for no reason, including even the lame 'last cigarette gambit' by Vine, but most of the scenes do contain elements of tension and excitement. There's even some suspense regarding the motivations and true goals of the scientist. Probably due to a small budget, the film steers away from any spectacular set-pieces of the later Bond films of "Goldfinger" and after, but this just means it resembles the basic espionage plot lines of "Dr. No" and "From Russia With Love." Don't expect huge explosions or sets, just some standard gun-play and tepid auto chases. The writers also threw in a doppelganger subplot towards the end, which builds on the 'false death' scenarios of a couple of Bonders. There are no really memorable villains, with mostly some Cold War Soviet intrigue behind-the-scenes, including actor Bull from "Dr. Strangelove" in a similar role. As Vine, Adams is adequate; he certainly lacks the charisma and presence of Connery, and he's almost too humorless in the role. It's probably better that he didn't stray into tongue-in-cheek silliness, but his lack of expression throughout was a bit too stiff and a little on the dull side. He would return once more in "Where The Bullets Fly." Hero:6 Villains:6 Femme Fatales:5 Henchmen:6 Fights:6 Stunts/Chases:6 Gadgets:4 Auto:5 Locations:5 Pace:6 overall:6.

A Spoof of the "James Bond" Franchise

[Uriah43 · 5/10 · 28 April 2017]

This movie essentially begins with an agent for the British Secret Service named "Charles Vine" (Tom Adams) being assigned to guard a Swedish nuclear physicist by the name of "Professor Henrik Jacobsen" (Karel Stepanek) who has developed a new technology that has the potential to disable incoming nuclear missiles. That being the case, although he plans to sell this technology to the British government, the Soviet Union has other plans and are willing to do everything at their disposal to either capture or kill the professor first. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that this film had the potential of being a really good spy movie except that the decision was made to turn it into a spoof of the "James Bond" franchise rather than a more serious and solid picture in its own right. In that respect it resembled the "Matt Helm" (starring Dean Martin) or the "Flint" (James Coburn) films than the actual James Bond movies. And like the other two spoofs this particular film wasn't too bad. But again, with a little bit of thought or effort it could have been much better. In any case, I have rated it accordingly. Average.

He died with his socks on

[the_japanese_visiter · 11 April 2002]

***spoiler*** I saw this picture one bored night on TV "midnight theater"and I found a very funny scene. Towards the climax where the hero and the vilain shoot each other and that is supposed to be suspenceful,they sneak along two sides of a building to one corner to meet,and they think of the same thing and took off their shoes to mute the sounds of footsteps.Then,I found the hitman,who is really a shabby guy and looks incompetent,wearing a sock with a hole at its tip and his foot thumb coming thru it! I burst into laughter and the suspence failed. Over all I had a fun time.3 out of 5.

Good Bond-lite Spy Flick

[bnwfilmbuff · 6/10 · 8 March 2017]

Unexpectedly decent spy flick. I think it would have been a whole lot better if it had just been played straight. It is listed as a comedy - parody might have been a better description - but it holds up much better on its own merits. The Russians are the bad guys and the dialog among them gets a bit silly but the rest of the plot and the action is exciting. The storyline involves a scientist that has invented a device that produces anti-gravity when aimed at certain objects. He needs protection from the Russians while visiting the Brits to sell them the invention. Tom Adams is good as the unflappable 2nd Best Agent assigned to protect him. The rest of the cast is fairly nondescript. The ending has some unique twists. A decent watch.

Great song

[BandSAboutMovies · 3/10 · 1 May 2020]

If I've done one thing this Eurospy month, I've watched a ton of Lindsay Shonteff movies. This was his first spy film, although he'd eventually also make No. 1 of the Secret Service, Licensed to Love and Kill (1979) and Number One Gun.

This was called Licensed to Kill in the UK, but Joseph E. Levine was bringing it to the U.S. He'd had great financial success with teh Steve Reeves-starring Hercules and went all out on this one. There's a new scene at the beginning with a woman pulling a machine gun out of her baby carriage and a new theme song sung by Sammy Davis Jr. Of course, he also took out all the double entendres and enough of the plot to have the ending make no sense.

A Swedish scientist has invented an anti-gravity device and his daughter seek to provide the invention to the United Kingdom, if they can get there safely. With James Bond unavailable, Agent Charles Vine (Tom Adams) comes in.

Veronica Hurst (Peeping Tom) and Judy Huxtable (Die Screaming, Marianne) fill in for the normal Bond girls.

There were two sequels to this film: Where the Bullets Fly and Somebody's Stolen Our Russian Spy/O.K. Yevtushenko, which was shot in 1969 but didn't escape the film laboratory until 1976.

Lower Tier Shonteff

[DanTheMan2150AD · 5/10 · 22 May 2023]

If you've ever seen Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and wondered, where on earth that song the cast starts singing at the party comes from, the answer is this. Despite the US edit of this movie boasting a brilliant title song by Sammy Davis Jr, something the UK version desperately lacks, it doesn't stop Licensed to Kill from being a rather lacklustre 007 homage from unconventional Canadian genius Linsday Shonteff. Even with the dubious connections to Bond, he's name dropped many times throughout with clear references made to past adventures, it's extremely by the numbers in terms of its plot and characters despite the best efforts of Tom Adams as leading man Charles Vine and the rest of the cast. The film just gets lost in its own plot, about some device that can reverse the effects of gravity all the while it tries to add Cold War politics, counter-espionage and many many kidnappings into the mix. Licensed to Kill is on the lower tier of Shonteff productions but is still worth a watch to see how low-budget UK cinema can still deliver a fun time.

Any actor who carries....and can PROPERLY LOAD ...a Mauser Broomhandle has got my vote.

[bluegerm · 9/10 · 21 November 2002]

Any actor who carries....and can PROPERLY LOAD ...a Mauser Broomhandle has GOTTA worth an hour or two of my time. And Tom Adams as Charles Vine can sure do THAT. He's suave, sophisticated, very-British, and carries an odd-ball handgun. Wow!

I first saw this movie, via Turner's Chanel 17, when I was in college. It seemed to me to be head and shoulders above the average James Bond-wannabies. It stuck with me well enough I watched the second film, called WHERE THE BULLETS FLY, when it was offered.

My only regret is, since TIME-WARNER took over Turner Television, many of these 'small' films are lost...never re-shown....by these out-of-touch cost-accountants that run TW.

Take my advice...if offered a chance to see LICENSED TO KILL or WHERE THE BULLETS FLY, give it a chance. It MIGHT just grow on you.

Meet Charles Vine

[ShadeGrenade · 10/10 · 29 June 2006]

The first part of a trilogy starring Tom Adams as British secret agent 'Charles Vine', a man equally adept with both girl and gun. For his first assignment, he is assigned to protect Swedish scientist 'Henrik Jakobsen' ( Karel Stepanek ) who claims to be on the verge of a great scientific breakthrough - a gravity control device known as 'Regrav'. Not only will it revolutionise the transport system, but is capable of creating a force field to protect a country from nuclear attack. The British want Regrav, so do the Russians. From the moment Jakobsen steps off the plane, both his and Vine's life are in danger. The enemy are ruthless and cunning - deploying fake policemen, soldiers, transvestite killers, and even a double of Vine - to try and get what they want. All he has on his side is a Mauser Broomhandle, his wits and his fists.

Made on a budget which wouldn't have paid for one of 007's Vodka Martinis, this little-known British spy film is surprisingly good. Adams is handsome and laconic and could - in my view - have made a fine Bond ( one wonders if he was ever seriously considered for the role ). A throwaway reference to "that chap who cracked the gold conspiracy" puts Vine in the same universe as Bond. Like 007, Vine has his own twangy guitar theme tune which plays whenever he walks into a room. The supporting cast is fine, particularly Francis De Wolff as 'Walter Pickering' of the Foreign Office and Peter Bull as the scheming criminal boss 'Masterman', while John Arnatt steals the show as Vine's boss Rockwell - his explanation of events to Vine at the hospital is brilliantly delivered. Look out for the lovely Judy Huxtable ( a.k.a, 'the computer centre girl' ) - she later married Peter Cook.

The script is well-written, beginning with a teaser worthy of 'The Avengers' in which Henrik's brother August ( Robert Marsden ) is gunned down by enemy agents on Hampstead Heath, and climaxing with a multi-double cross shoot-out in London's docklands. Lindsay Shonteff pulls off some decent action scenes, using the city of London to good effect. If 'Licensed To Kill' can be compared to any Bond film, its 'From Russia With Love', as once again agents of the East and West are played off against one another by a mysterious third party. Vine's miniature gun is a real hoot! Very underrated film. Shown in America as 'The Second Best Secret Agent In The Whole Wild World'.

Things To Look Out For - during the opening titles, when Tom Adams' credit appears, in the bottom right-hand corner you can see a caricature of Vine, holding a gun and smoking a cigarette.

Vine's next mission was 'Where The Bullets Fly' ( 1966 ). Shonteff had nothing to do with it, sadly, and it shows.

One damp spoof

[vjetorix · 25 November 2002]

Let's be frank. This is one damp spoof. I'll go into the details of this deadly dull affair if, for some reason, you're interested. Tom Adams is Charles Vine, an inexperienced agent whose assignment is to keep an eye on a scientist (Karel Stepanek) as he prepares his formula for Regrav, a process that reverses gravitational waves. Vine is `a double 0 number, licensed to kill' and he certainly does make use of that particular privilege. During the course of the film Vine kills more than a dozen people. It's not the number that gives one pause, it's the callous and somehow nonchalant way he goes about it that is perturbing. Vine is, by his own confession, in it for the money but one suspects he gets a certain pleasure out of taking lives as well.

Stepanek (Our Man in Havana), as the Swedish scientist, gives the best performance of the movie but that's not saying much. The entire production is so lifeless that the actors seem to just want to get it over with, and one can hardly blame them. The film starts off with a bad taste killing when a nanny pulls a machine gun out of her baby buggy and slaughters a man in front of her two infant charges. Then we are treated to a lame theme song by Sammy Davis Jr. and it's all downhill from here, folks. The film suffers from poor pacing, badly choreographed gun battles and worse fight scenes and the whole thing feels much longer than its 95 minute running time.