Puppet On A Chain (UK, 1970) 99 min color DIR: Geoffrey Reeve, Don Sharp (boat chase). PROD: Kurt Unger. SCR: Paul Wheeler, Don Sharpe, based on the novel by Alistair MacLean. MUSIC: Piero Picconi. DOP: Jack Hildyard. CAST: Sven-Bertil Taube, Barbara Parkins, Alexander Knox. (Scorpion Releasing)
My previous indifference about this espionage film was largely due to having seen it on a horrible VHS copy by Star Classics. Watching it again on the Scorpion DVD, in its original aspect ratio and beautiful restoration is a revelation. Because the success of this film is largely on a visceral level, as it engages the eyes and ears, this optimal presentation merely adds to the experience.
The first quarter of this film is simply outstanding. From a brazen shooting in an airport, to an elaborate scene where our hero is followed around Amsterdam by an unknown assailant, Alistair MacLean’s screenplay (adapted from his own novel) gives just enough plot to keep things moving, with a minimum of dialogue. Director Geoffrey Reeve communicates everything visually as much as possible. In fact, as the story progresses, the film only barely remains coherent. This isn’t a narrative flaw- in fact, the hazy storytelling adds to the mounting sense of disorientation that our hero faces in this unknown environment without knowing who to trust.
Sven-Bertil Taube is agent Paul Sherman, who is in Amsterdam investigating a drug smuggling ring where dope is being spirited around inside dolls, and the ringleader turns out be a priest who talks like Peter Lorre! Taube is not the world’s greatest actor, but his casting is beneficial to the gritty realism of the movie.
MacLean’s heroes do not perform any superhero gymnastics, but bleed just like any other human being. Casting anyone with larger than life star quality would shatter the illusion. Its atmosphere of authenticity is also enhanced with unusual faces and lesser-known names in the cast, superb location work and correctly downbeat tone.
The highlight of this film of course is the classic boat chase climax, directed by the late Don Sharp, as Sherman pursues a suspect through the canals of Amsterdam. Although the movie is already exciting enough to watch because most things unfold visually instead of with dialogue, this sequence is a special gift.
If you’re a fan of crime pictures, then this mastering of Puppet on a Chain is a must for your collection. Oh, and there’s a great, groovy score by Piero Picconi!
Originally published in Vol. #1, Issue 25.
Greg Woods
Greg Woods has been a film enthusiast since his teens, and began his writing "career" at the same time- prolific in capsule reviews of everything he had watched, first on index cards, then those hardcover dollar store black journals, then an old Mac IIsi. He founded The Eclectic Screening Room in 2001, as a portal to share his film love with the world, and find some like-minded enthusiasts along the way. In addition to having worked in the film industry for over two decades, he has been a co-programmer of films at Trash Palace, and a programmer/co-founder of the Toronto Film Noir Syndicate. He has also written for Broken Pencil, CU-Confidential, Micro-Film, and is currently working on his first novel. His secret desire is for someone to interview him for a podcast or a DVD extra.