A good Film, you say? Am I allowed to do these?!?
This is The Black Windmill, a 1974 Film that I got for a $1. I did, however, get the Kino Lorber release, so yea for me!
The Plot involves a spy- Michael Caine- whose Son is kidnapped and he has to work to save them. His bosses aren't exactly helpful, especially when it seems like he's in on the crime!
The Film comes to us from Don Siegel, who made most of Clint Eastwood's early, star-making Films. He's credited by Clint himself for making him a Star. It was also produced by Richard Zanuck, which is a plus.
The Cast is full of notable Stars and Character Actors, including Donald Pleasence, Joseph O'Connor and John Vernon.
Am I hyping this up too much? To find out, read on...
The Film begins with a montage of 2 kids wandering around the countryside while them saying a Nursery Rhyme can be heard. That explains the Title Card.
They wander onto an Air Force Base and are brought in by RAF Security...but they are actually bad guys, who kidnap them.
The lead guy- Vernon- also blows up his excess cohorts to boot.
Caine is a Spy who is working to infiltrate a gang involved in some sort of gun operation.
However, unbeknownst to him, he's been 'made' and this is documented for later use.
During a meeting, he gets a call of the kidnappers- daring to call there, no?- and acts calm, not letting on what he was told.
That's really the heart of the Film- him looking/acting calm in situations where most would not.
They are let in on what is happening after he talks to this ex-Wife (and mother of their child). The kidnappers want to talk to his Boss- Pleasence- and are otherwise vague about what they want.
The other kid is discovered, but he's too drugged/traumatized to say anything helpful.
He's still better off than the other girl in
Taken.
The bad guys play both sides against the other now as they tell Caine different instructions for delivering what they want- a bunch of diamonds.
Meanwhile, they frame him as being in a relationship with the woman from Screen Cap #2, even using a picture taken then.
With no help from his bosses, Caine does some elaborate work- including doing an impression of Pleasence over the phone- to get the diamonds. He doesn't realize that he's being framed yet either.
Seriously, watching him impersonate Pleasence is worth the viewing alone.
He realizes that they figured out about the diamonds and has to go on a French Connection-style run (RIP William Friedkin).
It's a great Scene, even if you can see why Caine didn't become an Action Hero.
Picture Tom Cruise running, but with this face.
He uses Chekhov's Briefcase (no SPOILERS on that) to get leverage when he meets the kidnappers, but that only gets him so far.
As you can see, it doesn't end well for him.
He's framed for the murder of the woman- she really is just a Plot Devices, isn't she?- and is taken in by the Police.
The bad guys break him out, but only to have him be killed before anyone can ask questions.
That fails and he gets across the Chanel via Hovercraft Ferry. That was a thing! Sadly, they stopped doing it in 2000.
Can he rescue his son?
Can he figure out who the bad guy is?
Can you finally relax now that you've seen him get angry?
Well, for once, I won't SPOIL the ending here. See it for yourself.
It is good. Considering the caliber of people involved, is that a surprise?
Well, to be fair, a great Cast, Director and Studio once gave us
Paint Your Wagon, so it can happen.
'70s burn!
To be fair, this one might be a bit slow for people used to newer Films only. It is not action packed. It is not constantly tense and keeping you 'on the edge of your seat.' It is still engaging the whole time though.
The Film is definitely a Character Study on Caine's Spy, as he acts calm and in control at all times. That's how he was trained to act- he can't help it. You see him struggle to hold it, see people react to him and try to get him to break.
When he finally does, it is all worth it. The climax is a great one, although it doesn't end well for one of the bad guys. I did Screen Cap it, but it hurts every time I look at it. I'll spare you.
Finding gems like this- like when I found
Street Smart- is fun. Seeing this logo again is just a nice bonus...
Next up, let's stick with the '70s, but move to Sci-Fi. Let's check out the Film that indirectly inspired one of my favorite Shows. Stay tuned...
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