Mister Jerico (1970)

Best movie of this year hands down!

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.

I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend other to give it a try , (as I am) but this movie, although enjoyable to watch due to the better than average acting fails to add anything new to its storyline that is all too familiar to these types of movies.

I was pretty amazed to see here a product pulled by the whole - at least nearly - the AVENGERS series crew. See for yourself; Pat McNee, Julian Wintle producer, Laurie Johnson for the musical score, Philip Levene as writer, Brian Clemens screenwriter...Only the ladies such as Diana Rigg and Linda Thorson missed of course, even as simple cameos...Such a shame. This adventure story could easily have been a pilot for a series...The whole light swindle story, atmosphere which reminds CATCH A THIEF show starring Bob Wagner, is pretty obvious for this era, late sixties...A good time waster for old timers as me. And I also forgot Sid Hayers, the director, who also participated in the AVENGERS odyssey...All my youth suddenly emerged.

I was an extra in this movie . I didn't do much just walked about in the background I was a bit star struck. The first one I did .. I was in Malta and the scene in the airport. I've never seen it so if anyone has a copy I would love to see me at about 20 Patrick Mcnee was a really nice man and spent time chatting to us all. Wish I bought a copy then, but didn't, did a few other films whilst I was in Malta and involved in am dram Patrick mcnee didn't speak his lines, so I think the whole thing was dubbed, or put in later I remember I got paid £7 for a days filming... back then it was good money all my friends were earning £7 a week

I'm sure I remember first watching this film in a cinema on holiday in probably Blackpool or Scarborough in 1970 or 1971 when I was 10 or 11 as the second feature below a lovely family entertainment film called "The Amazing Mr Blunden", although my memory could be playing tricks as they hardly seem complementary. Recalling it with affection, I nevertheless decided to track it down and rewatch it again, but as so often with revisiting childhood memories, with the experience or even slight cynicism of older age, it doesn't quite stand up to scrutiny.What struck me over the title sequence was the plethora of parties who worked with star Patrick MacNee on his then recent hit show "The Avengers", including the writer, director, producer and musical director, even the titles themselves are in the familiar Avengers font. I was almost anticipating a cameo from Diana Rigg or Linda Thorson for good measure. The story is light as befits MacNee's acting style, he's a globetrotting con-man who with his girl-watching little side-kick, Marty Burns, seeks to part mega-rich Herbert Lom's tycoon from his money over a valuable diamond he wants to possess. This all takes place in the Mediterranean sun, so we get to see lots of shots of fetching young girls in mini-skirts and bikinis (usually with Burns' eyes following them as they stroll by) and MacNee out of his Steed-tweeds and instead lolling about in lilac floral shirts, unmatching canary yellow slacks topped off with a cravat. His rival for the stone is Connie Stevens in let's say a variety of guises and with some minor twists and turns they both at least partially achieve their goal.I found it easy, watchable, if very dated entertainment. MacNee and Stevens are good value and Lom plays with his usual aplomb, although I could have done without the casual sexism displayed towards women throughout. Written by Avengers regular scripter Philip Broadley, I preferred the late Brian Clemens edgier and more imaginative screenplays for the show. I gather this was a pilot for a non-existent TV series and can see why it didn't take off but it might have made for a pleasant diversion on a rainy day in a UK holiday resort, back in the day...which is where I came in...