Our Man In Marrakesh

$2 million has been smuggled in to Morocco as part of a bribe for a UN vote with crime boss Herbert Lom set to receive. He doesn't know who is carrying the money. He knows that it is one of Six passengers all arrive in Marrakech. So Lom sends loyal henchman Klaus Kinski to find his fee. A comedy of murder, wrong guesses and chases ensues as everyone is targeted as the carrier.

So what can be said about a comedy from the early sixties which is a send up of spy films? Its like a weaker version of Casino Royale in that It is funny, sometimes. That was funny often. It is more clever in places but has a plot that is knitted together with paper thin plotting. It is however all put together Often silly and sublime fun to the max. not taking itself or its subject matter at all seriously.

If you know Tony Randall and his films, you will know he is like a more talkative Mr Bean. He is however far more charming than Bean though. In the 60s he was part of the parody circuit that went around and made a series of films that took aim at things like advertising (see Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter!). This film isn't as good as that film but he is funny and madcap in places. Kinski is always watchable as the henchman killer. Lom plays his pre-Clouseau self. That is too say cool and calculating with a touch of the exotic!It has eye candy and the usual Bond type girls. They are thankfully far more deceptive and snippy.

The film feels amazingly beautiful in places and makes Marrakesh look amazing in many shots, it looks better than a holiday brochure I was flicking through recently. I would say that alone is worth buying the DVD for. Then of course you could also by the Man who knew too much (James Stewart / Doris Day one) and watch them back to back and laugh at how this mocks that a little bit! Well Done Again to Network on a great release, which has brought to light a gem of comedy from an era that is cruelly under viewed. Worth every penny of the price of admission.