Henry Hathaway never lets you down. I have never seen a film made by him that did not leave you refreshed and invigorated like after a life experience adventure. Here he is already getting old, and the action is very slow to begin with - it is all mainly introductions and discussions, but then things start developing as people begin doing something and gathering for a Rififi in Monte Carlo. You notice much of the handiwork and atmosphere of Jules Dassin's Rififi here, which clearly has been much but efficiently influential. As always, in perfects coups, something goes wrong, it inevitable always does, you know it will, and you wait with tense suspension on what it will be, but you will be surprised. For once, everything works out perfectly - and then there is a completely different and unexpected development, and what you least expected, suddenly happens. And it's nobody's fault.
Edward G. Robinson gives a memorable performance as always in a typical role of his, Joan Collins as the one dame in the intrigue is too handsome for her own good and almost makes everything go wrong only because of that, while the most interesting character is Rod Steiger, reluctant at first, then gradually more and more cooperative though with reservations, to finally become quite human. It's a long film, but the end is worth waiting for.
Edward G. Robinson gives a memorable performance as always in a typical role of his, Joan Collins as the one dame in the intrigue is too handsome for her own good and almost makes everything go wrong only because of that, while the most interesting character is Rod Steiger, reluctant at first, then gradually more and more cooperative though with reservations, to finally become quite human. It's a long film, but the end is worth waiting for.