Operation Taifun

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.