Electra One (1967) Poster

(1967)

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5/10
Typical and passable Euro-spy film co-produced by Spain/France/Italy shot in various European locations
ma-cortes31 December 2020
A criminal organization possesses a serum capable of unleashing huge damage and total destruction . This formula causes hypnotic effects of mind controlling , as a military officer about to blow up a nuclear missile , being gunned down before its launching . Aware of these happenings , the American and Russian agents from CIA and KGB , along with the Chinese decide to finish the risked threat . An antídote has been created to impede the malicious effects of the dangerous drug . And the only sample of the antídote is into a briefcase , and while a roguish jewel thief : George Martin , the US, Russia, China agents all of them go after it and the girl carrying it . After many car chases and intrigue , our brave stealer starring manages to escape . Eventually, he arrives along with the damsel in distress : Vivi Bach at his home that in its exterior zone seems to be an old boat but its interior is really luxurious .

Ordinary Euro Spy movie with usual ingredients as noisy action , car pursuits , fights , kidnapping, helicopters and explosive women . It has some flaws and gaps , as it does tends to get a bit old style , including silly fights at a theatrical show , but it has fun enough , so it cares . Equally, it packs some frenetic action scenes , including pursuits , car crashes , and at the end a breathtaking confrontation between a plane and our starring shooting his machine gun . Of course , it turns out to be a 007 rip-off , taking parts here and there of the classic Ian Fleming's James Bond movies . Easy-going , acrobatic George Martin gives likable acting as the rogue thief/playboy who takes on a criminal organization led by Daniele Vargas . George Martin has an atractiveness and sympathy that makes him great to watch . Co-stars two Eurotrash starletts : Vivi Bach and Rosalba Neri . And as secondaries show up some players usual in the B co-productions as Daniele Vargas , Ignacio Leone , Gerard Landry , and Lorenzo Robledo.

It displays a colorful and evocative cinematography in 70mm Eastmancolor by Victor Monreal, shot on various locations in París, Eiffel Tower, and specially Hamburgo port when star George Martin does his own spectacular stunts . Adding a thrilling and exciting musical score by Claude Bolling, accompanying perfectly the action . The flick was regular but professionally written/directed by Alfoso Balcazar . This Spanish filmmaker Balcazar directed all kinds of genres as Spaguetti/Paella Western , most of them starred by George Martin , Luis Davila , Daniel Martin or Robert Woods, such as : Clint the Solitary , The return of Clint , Judas Toma tus monedas , Sartana no perdona or Sonora, With Death on your Back , Dinamita Jim , Doc Manos de Plata , Viva Carrancho , Five Thousands Dollars on One Ace . And other genres as Erotic : Julieta , Deseo, Colegialas Lesbianas , Las Primeras Experiencias , Giallo : La Casa de las Muertas Vivientas and Drama : La Encrucijada , ? Donde vas triste de ti ? , Cena de Matrimonios , La Bella Lola , among others . Rating : 5/ 10 . Passable and acceptable yarn that will appeal to Euro-spy genre fans .
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3/10
Utterly forgettable
gridoon202421 June 2014
Warning: Spoilers
A jewel thief crosses paths with a woman carrying a briefcase that the Americans, the Russians and the Chinese all want desperately, so he goes on the run with her figuring that what's inside the case has to be way more valuable than anything he could steal on his own. "Electra One" is near the bottom of the barrel, as far as the Eurospy subgenre goes. A few good stunts, and an acrobatic (if rather smarmy) lead (George Martin), cannot make up for a thoughtless, incoherent script. Rosalba Neri could have added some spice as a villainess, but her screen time is so limited that she's not given any opportunity to do something with her character; she's wasted, and so will be your time if you watch this film. * out of 4.
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3/10
A chase through Hamburg
bensonmum223 January 2017
Warning: Spoilers
A supervilian (who may or may not have been named – I have no idea) has created a mind-control drug and demonstrates its effects on an unsuspecting army officer. The officer is gunned down before the drug "forces" him to launch a nuclear missile. An antidote has been developed to counter the drug's effects, but the Professor responsible is assassinated. Now, the only sample of the antidote is in a briefcase held by his pretty assistant (played by Vivi Bach). The Americans, Russians, Chinese, a jewel thief, and just about everyone else wants the briefcase and the woman carrying it.

I love a good Eurospy movie as much as anyone. At one time, like a lot of people, I knocked these movies for being James Bond rip-offs without really giving them much of a chance. I no longer do that and consider many to be really enjoyable (the Ken Clarke films for example). But Electra One is a real stinker. The main problem is the plot – it's as thin as tissue paper. It's an unintelligible mess. If you want to see a movie where people chase each other for no reason you are likely to understand or care about, this is the movie for you. It's chase, chase, chase but nothing seems to get resolved. There is also a subplot about the relationship between an American agent and a Russian agent that is out of place and adds nothing to the rest of the movie.

I suppose that star George Martin is okay, but really isn't given much to work with other than being smarmy. I was initially excited when I saw Rosalba Neri's name pop-up in the opening credits, but she literally has nothing to do. The other female lead, Bach, isn't overly memorable either. The real standout in this mess is the Hamburg shipping docks. The docks get more screen time, are better shot, and come out looking better than any of the human stars.

Also, I don't understand how the mind-control drug in Electra One is supposed to work. You take it and suddenly you're an unstoppable machine, bent on pushing a nuclear launch button. How does that work? There's no suggestion or other direction given to the victim – just an unnatural desire to push a button. It's beyond ridiculous.
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3/10
Bond ripoff
BandSAboutMovies20 April 2020
Warning: Spoilers
This 1967 Spanish/Italian/French film was directed by Alfonso Balcazar (A Pistol from Ringo) in an experimental 70mm 3D filming technique.

A criminal organization - led by Electra One (Daniele Vargas, Eyeball, The Arena) - has created an aggression serum that they plan on using to hold the world hostage. The Americans and the Soviets join forces to stop them.

George Martin, who appears in The Three Supermen films, is Gary, the hero of this movie. Rosalba Neri is also in this. You should know her for her body - pun intended - of bonkers erotic horror films. She's in everything from Franco's 99 Women to Amuck!, The Seducers, French Sex Murders, The Devil's Wedding Night and Lady Frankenstein.
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8/10
Lighthearted, well made Eurospy film: with a twist
shakspryn7 December 2021
This is a well-crafted Euro spy film of the 1960's. It doesn't take itself very seriously, but it's not played as a total farce, a type of film I don't like. Here are some of the pluses of this movie: excellent location filming in Hamburg, and really stunning location filming in Switzerland. Add to that a very good car chase scene; the always sexy and watchable Rosalba Neri and Vivi Bach; and a hero, Jorge Martin, who has tons of charm, and who is very handsome. Lots to like here, which to me makes up for a plot that isn't the tightest or strongest I have seen in Euro spy efforts. The main villain is not much developed, but you can't have everything.

The big twist here, really, is that our hero is not your typical government secret agent. He's a professional jewel thief, who gets pulled into the espionage. He's also extremely athletic; he always has his eye on the dollars (and on Vivi Bach, for which no one could blame him!); he's highly resourceful, and he never, never gives up. His character gets more likable as the movie goes along.

Another reason I like this movie, is that Vivi Bach has a big role in it. She's beautiful and charming, and I was glad to see a movie where she gets a lot of scenes.
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