Dark of the Sun (1968)

It's hard to see any effort in the film. There's no comedy to speak of, no real drama and, worst of all.

a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

Well done movie about Mercenaries in Africa led by Rod Taylor. Sent into the bush during a revolt by brutal beings called Simba's, to retrieve millions in Diamonds, this group consisting of a Black Sergeant (Jim Brown), an ex-Nazi and others, they rescue a bunch of civilians and bunch more are left to die. Really no good guys in here, though I always root for Rod Taylor, who is great as usual. I saw this at the Drive In!

In the frequently fighting Democratic Republic of the Congo, manly mercenary Rod Taylor (as Bruce Curry) arrives to consider a dangerous assignment. He is asked to organize a crew and retrieve $50,000,000 in diamonds from rebel territory. A relatively cheap hire, Mr. Taylor doubles the offer of $25,000 and takes the job. Considering the fortune in diamonds, he shouldn't have accepted anything less than a million. Chief among Taylor's crew is brawny Jim Brown (as Ruffo), his right hand man. The main recruits are: nasty neo-Nazi Peter Carsten (as Henlein), handsome young Olivier Despax (as Surrier) and alcoholic doctor Kenneth More (as Wreid). Along the way, they pick up pretty blonde Yvette Mimieux (as Claire), who appears to have survived a rebel assault. Men like to yank off Ms. Mimieux' clothes...While tame by today's standards, "Dark of the Sun" goes to the edge in its depiction of violence...Young children are shown after they are shot, a young man is raped, another torched, some pierced… It is an action-filled, quick-paced story. Accepting the violence is necessary part of the story (and the camera moves away during the most gruesome moments), the story has some problems. Expert cinematographer-turned-director Jack Cardiff and his editor Ernest Walter are often too choppy. The man committing double suicide is nicely done, from establishing shots to a final shot; many other events are brief and presented without detail. There are some extremely exciting sequences that are made less exciting in their presentation. Original novelist Wilbur Smith's basic story, involving the lead actors and their relationship with the Congo, is a good one. Jacques Loussier's music and the film's sound are obvious assets.***** Dark of the Sun (The Mercenaries) (1968-02-08) Jack Cardiff ~ Rod Taylor, Jim Brown, Yvette Mimieux, Peter Carsten

Is this the Belgian Congo erupting in revolution circa 1960? The picture isn't exactly clear on that one.Rod Taylor plays a mercenary caught up in the fracas. We never fully understand the rebels or the government in this situation.There is a tremendous amount of brutality here. The main line of the film comes when the German mercenary shoots down two young children as he felt that they were messengers for the rebels. Rod Taylor's response to him was: "You can put back your Swastika. You earned it."Yviette Mimieux is the hysterical young lady picked up by Taylor and his crews. There are unbelievable massacre scenes where countless civilians are slaughtered.Of course, greed enters the picture here. The ending is questionable because Taylor did us a favor regarding the German mercenary.

One of the reasons "Dark of the Sun" is now considered a cult classic, why directors Quentin Tarantino and Martin Scorsese are unabashed fans of the film, is that underlying its relentless violence is an exploration of the moral and philosophical ambiguities of men on a dangerous mission."Dark of the Sun" is the third in a trio of collaborations between director Jack Cardiff and actor Rod Taylor. The three films, and the characters played by Taylor could not be more different, a testament to the range and talent of both. The first was "Young Cassidy", a study of the early life and career of Irish writer Sean O'Casey (introducing Julie Christie and the first of two pairings with Maggie Smith). The second was "The Liquidator", a clever and funny James Bond spoof in which Taylor plays Boysie Oakes, a mild-mannered womanizer mistaken by British Intelligence for a cold-blooded killer.Neither "Young Cassidy" nor "The Liquidator" has been released on DVD. Each, in its own way, is an outstanding film worthy of finding a wider audience.