Movie Review - Forbidden Cargo

Forbidden Cargo

1954

The Cast

Smugglers disguised as Navy Personnel are bringing French Liqueurs into the country.  Unfortunately, they decided to drop them off in a nature reserve watched over by Lady Flavia Queensway (Grenfell).  Concerned about her beloved bird population being in danger from the transgressors, she informs Customs and Excise of the events.  They send Agent Kenyon (Patrick) to check it out.  This, in turn, leads them to a more important smuggling ring who are about to bring in a large volume of drugs.  Kenyon sets out on their trail, which takes him to the south of France and closer to one of the suspects than he would like.

What makes this such an enjoyable movie to watch is the lightheartedness within the script.  This at first centres around Lady Flavia Queensway.  Since this is played by the great Joyce Grenfell, how else was this going to be played(?).  Then later in situations, especially those between Rita (Sellars) and Kenyon.  However, this is not a comedy film and the drama, intrigue, and suspense are evident in every scene.  All of this is enough to keep the viewer interested.

Then you add in the acting and it's hard to walk away from the movie until it's finished... even to pause it for a toilet break.  The cast is solid and everybody is superb in their roles, though it's Theodore Bikel as Max who stood out the most for me.  There's an air of menace and power to his character whenever he's on screen.  Even when he's playing the guitar to entertain his guests.

Though there are some places in the story that are realistic and believable it's the south of France section that feels a little awkward.  It's hard to believe that Customs and Excise would be able to afford Kenyon's lifestyle as he lives it up, OO7 style.  Though this is forgivable as it progresses the story nicely and it's more than a little entertaining to watch.

If you like your thrillers to have a lighthearted entertainment value this film is right in your ballpark.  I would recommend this to all thriller and suspense fans out there.  It's a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon after dinner.

I give this a White Line of 7 out of 10.

The Film Clip

Video Nasty - Absurd

Absurd

(1981)

Filmirage / Metaxa Corporaton : Medusa Pictures / Wizard Video

4.25 / 10

This is the Italian interpretation of John Carpenter's Halloween.  Though, writer George Eastman (who also star's as Mikos Stenopolis) gives the killer a different backstory.  It's this back story which places this film into the thriller genre rather than horror,  Mikos had taken part in some drug trials which a priest was overwatching.  These drugs gave Mikos' blood an ability to coagulate at a rapid rate.  This makes him nearly invincible.  Unfortunately, the drugs also drove him insane.

Mikos stumbles into town and when anybody crosses his path they are compensated with a grisly death.

There's not much else to the story and that's what makes the title of the movie so perfect.  This is an absurd story and film.

There's also very little to love about the movie.  The acting is average.  Sadly the worst actors are the two leads.  Annie Belle as Emily is okay for most of the picture but there are sometimes when she's wooden and stiff.  Her best parts are when she's strapped up in traction.  This isn't all her fault, her character isn't very well written.  In fact, all of the characters seem to be run-of-the-mill and a little dull.

Even though George Eastman wrote the story he decided to give the villain, whom he portrayed, no words.  Which may have been a good thing.  Though Eastman didn't have to worry about fluffing his lines he didn't add much to the character but size... the man is huge.  There were some scenes that could have added to the character.  Even the great non-talkers, Michael Myers and Jason Vorhees, appear evil and psychologically broken; this comes down to how the actor carried himself, he let his body act.  For example, one great scene from Halloween is when Michael lifts a teenager up and then pins him to a wall with a carving knife:  As the man hangs there Michael watches silently, then cocks his head to one side; this little action speaks volumes.  There's nothing like this in Absurd.

The special effects are passable though not great.  This can also be said for Joe D'Amato direction.  Even the music by Carlo Maria Cordio is similar in style to Carpenter's electronic soundtrack.  For the majority of the movie this music is annoying, though surprisingly, it works really well with the end chase scene.

The climax of the movie is pretty decent and does give the audience an iconic shot, which sends a shiver down the spine and they will remember.

This isn't a classic movie and nowhere near to becoming a cult.  If you like Halloween and Friday 13th then you could give this a look-see, it's worth at least one viewing.

Nergling - The Video Nasties Scare - Absurd