Tony Curtis may not have been the greatest of actors (though he did give some great performances), but he was very charismatic and immensely likeable and improved hugely with each film, it was very difficult to dislike him even early in his career. The more mature the film and role actually, the better he was.
'Six Bridges to Cross' for me is one of his better films, if not one of his very best like 'Sweet Smell of Success', which contained the meatiest character of his career, and 'Some Like it Hot'. On paper, it seemed that 'Six Bridges to Cross' would intrigue, entertain and nail-bite. It does all three. It's not quite great, though its good things are many and large in quality, but as an overall whole it's very good and deserves to be wider known.
It may be on the talky side at times and the ending agreed does frustrate.
Count me in as another person who found that it didn't make much sense or ring true.
On the other hand, Curtis gives a performance that is among his better ones, showing that he really delivers when given interesting intelligently-written characters and how in a short space of time how much his acting improved. George Nader is terrific in his role, while Sal Mineo charms in his screen debut, Julie Adams is sympathetic support and Don Kneefer enjoying his weasel-like character. Nader and Curtis have very believable chemistry together.
Visually, 'Six Bridges to Cross' is photographed atmospherically, while the direction is assured enough in the early stages and it goes along at a crisp yet not too rushed pace, letting the atmosphere speak for itself. The script mostly is taut and intrigues and entertains, while the story is absorbing and carried by the atmosphere and the chemistry between the cast.
In short, very good. 8/10 Bethany Cox
