Producer-star Richard Widmark may have thought he was inventing a new kind of spy film but his adaptation of an Alistair MacLean novel just grinds the Cold War grist, mixing good atmosphere with unconvincing action derring-do. The handsome production makes good use of Austrian and Swiss locations and the unfamiliar cast is a big assist. German star Sonja Ziemann gets the plum role, but Hollywood’s discovery is the lovely Senta Berger.
The Secret Ways
Blu-ray
Kl Studio Classics
1961 / B&w / 1:85 widescreen / 112 min. / Street Date October 27, 2020 / available through Kino Lorber / 24.95
Starring: Richard Widmark, Sonja Ziemann, Charles Regnier, Walter Rilla, Senta Berger, Howard Vernon, Hubert von Meyerinck, Oskar Wegrostek, Stefan Schnabel, Elisabeth Neumann-Viertel, Ady Berber, Jochen Brockman, Reinhard Kolldehoff, Herbert Fux.
Cinematography: Max Greene
Film Editor: Aaron Stell
Original Music: Johnny Williams
Written by Jean Hazelwood from the novel by Alistair MacLean
Produced by Richard Widmark
Directed by Phil Karlson...
The Secret Ways
Blu-ray
Kl Studio Classics
1961 / B&w / 1:85 widescreen / 112 min. / Street Date October 27, 2020 / available through Kino Lorber / 24.95
Starring: Richard Widmark, Sonja Ziemann, Charles Regnier, Walter Rilla, Senta Berger, Howard Vernon, Hubert von Meyerinck, Oskar Wegrostek, Stefan Schnabel, Elisabeth Neumann-Viertel, Ady Berber, Jochen Brockman, Reinhard Kolldehoff, Herbert Fux.
Cinematography: Max Greene
Film Editor: Aaron Stell
Original Music: Johnny Williams
Written by Jean Hazelwood from the novel by Alistair MacLean
Produced by Richard Widmark
Directed by Phil Karlson...
- 10/10/2020
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
The vintage nastiness of the exploitative cult classic Mark of the Devil gets a pristine revamp from Arrow Video, a favored title from a golden era of new wave British horror that hasn’t had held quite the same reverence as some of the more notable titles of the era, such as Ken Russell’s The Devils, Robin Hardy’s The Wicker Man or Michael Reeves’ Witchfinder General. The project was inspired by Reeves’ film, who died of an accidental overdose at the age of 25. In hindsight, perhaps, as directed by Michael Armstrong (the film’s screenwriter who often wrote under the pseudonym Sergio Casstner), the title is a bit too familiar in to Reeves, and often feels like the slutty little cousin to the sleazy themes touched upon in the earlier film. Bizarre performances and an unnaturally evocative ambience help overcome the film’s desperate aim to shock with...
- 3/24/2015
- by Nicholas Bell
- IONCINEMA.com
UK residents have been enjoying Arrow Video Blu-ray releases of cult films like Maniac Cop and The Funhouse for years, and soon horror hounds living stateside can enjoy the diligent distributor’s offerings now that Arrow Video is expanding to the Us. To commemorate their growth, Arrow Video has announced upcoming North American Blu-ray releases of Mark of the Devil, Blind Woman’s Curse, and more.
Making their Blu-ray debuts in the Us, 1970’s Mark of the Devil will come out on March 17th and 1971’s Blind Woman’s Curse (aka Black Cat’s Revenge on March 24th. Arrow Video will also release the Blu-ray of Blood and Black Lace on April 14th and The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Miss Osbourne to Blu-ray on April 21st. All four releases will include a DVD copy, as well. We have the official press release with full details, as well as...
Making their Blu-ray debuts in the Us, 1970’s Mark of the Devil will come out on March 17th and 1971’s Blind Woman’s Curse (aka Black Cat’s Revenge on March 24th. Arrow Video will also release the Blu-ray of Blood and Black Lace on April 14th and The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Miss Osbourne to Blu-ray on April 21st. All four releases will include a DVD copy, as well. We have the official press release with full details, as well as...
- 1/14/2015
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Stars: Udo Kier, Herbert Lom, Olivera Katrina, Reggie Nalder, Herbert Fux, Johannes Buzalski, Michael Maien, Gaby Fuchs, Ingeborg Schöner, Günter Clemens, Doris von Danwitz | Written by Michael Armstrong, Adrian Hoven | Directed by Michael Armstrong
My first experience with Mark of the Devil was to receive a DVD review copy from America which included a barf bag, written on the side was a warning that this movie would make me sick…of course it didn’t. I like novelties like that though, it adds to the fun of cult movies and gives it an over the top feeling. These gimmicks may never live up to what they promise but that’s hardly the point. Mark of the Devil is a surprisingly extreme film for its time, which is probably why it took so long to make its way to the UK, then to finally be released uncut. Now Arrow Video have...
My first experience with Mark of the Devil was to receive a DVD review copy from America which included a barf bag, written on the side was a warning that this movie would make me sick…of course it didn’t. I like novelties like that though, it adds to the fun of cult movies and gives it an over the top feeling. These gimmicks may never live up to what they promise but that’s hardly the point. Mark of the Devil is a surprisingly extreme film for its time, which is probably why it took so long to make its way to the UK, then to finally be released uncut. Now Arrow Video have...
- 9/24/2014
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
House Of A Thousand Dolls
Stars: Vincent Price, Sancho Gracia, Herbert Fux, George Nader, Martha Hyer | Written by María del Carmen Martínez Román, Harry Alan Towers | Directed by Jeremy Summers
With a title like House of a Thousand Dolls, Vincent Price starring and an opening scene featuring a horse drawn hearse you would be forgiven for thinking that the film is horror based. You soon find out that this is not the case but it may at least be paying a cheeky homage to its iconic star. The fact is though that House of a Thousand Dolls is a very different beast.
While vacationing in the Tangiers a couple meet an old friend searching for his missing girlfriend who is believed to have been kidnapped by a group of slave traders. When the friend is killed the couple are dragged into investigating both the death and kidnapping which appears to...
Stars: Vincent Price, Sancho Gracia, Herbert Fux, George Nader, Martha Hyer | Written by María del Carmen Martínez Román, Harry Alan Towers | Directed by Jeremy Summers
With a title like House of a Thousand Dolls, Vincent Price starring and an opening scene featuring a horse drawn hearse you would be forgiven for thinking that the film is horror based. You soon find out that this is not the case but it may at least be paying a cheeky homage to its iconic star. The fact is though that House of a Thousand Dolls is a very different beast.
While vacationing in the Tangiers a couple meet an old friend searching for his missing girlfriend who is believed to have been kidnapped by a group of slave traders. When the friend is killed the couple are dragged into investigating both the death and kidnapping which appears to...
- 1/27/2013
- by Pzomb
- Nerdly
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.