Although filmed entirely in and around Salzburg, this is a disappointing adaptation of the novel by Helen MacInnes which I read and thoroughly enjoyed around the time the movie went into production. Yes, I am aware of the conventional wisdom to the effect that a movie should NOT be compared to the book on which it is based. They are two different art forms and it's therefore considered that a movie should not necessarily be a faithful transcription of the book. But that is precisely what is wrong with this adaptation. It is indeed a mirror of the book and as a result is less suspenseful, less intriguing, and far less entertaining.
Director Katzin is seemingly unaware of this problem and does absolutely nothing to improve the movie's pace. Instead, he directs the action highlights in a slow-motion, stop-frame manner that admittedly makes then run longer – but with far less impact.
However, the ineffective way Katzin handles what should have been the action highlights, is nothing compared to the downright incompetent way he attempts to ram the dialogue scenes down our throats. Mr Katzin is obviously a recruit from TV who knows nothing – but absolutely nothing! – about film-making,
I don't know why the producer wasted his money hiring Lambert Hofer to design Karina and Jensen's wardrobe. We never see it. Any shots below shoulder level are rare – and this applies to the whole cast, not just Anna Karina and Karen Jensen.
The movie also cries out for reverse shots to relieve the monotonous cutting, but the cutter, John Woodcock, evidently had no choice. Katzin apparently didn't shoot any reverse angles at all.
The end result of Katzin's incompetence is a totally boring movie that, whilst certainly faithful to the book, is a real turn-off. Although Helen MacInnes can't be blamed for this unwise adaptation, I've never read any of her novels since.
Director Katzin is seemingly unaware of this problem and does absolutely nothing to improve the movie's pace. Instead, he directs the action highlights in a slow-motion, stop-frame manner that admittedly makes then run longer – but with far less impact.
However, the ineffective way Katzin handles what should have been the action highlights, is nothing compared to the downright incompetent way he attempts to ram the dialogue scenes down our throats. Mr Katzin is obviously a recruit from TV who knows nothing – but absolutely nothing! – about film-making,
I don't know why the producer wasted his money hiring Lambert Hofer to design Karina and Jensen's wardrobe. We never see it. Any shots below shoulder level are rare – and this applies to the whole cast, not just Anna Karina and Karen Jensen.
The movie also cries out for reverse shots to relieve the monotonous cutting, but the cutter, John Woodcock, evidently had no choice. Katzin apparently didn't shoot any reverse angles at all.
The end result of Katzin's incompetence is a totally boring movie that, whilst certainly faithful to the book, is a real turn-off. Although Helen MacInnes can't be blamed for this unwise adaptation, I've never read any of her novels since.