DANGER ROUTE

UK, 1968, 92 minutes, Colour.
Richard Johnson, Carol Lynley, Barbara Bouchet, Sylvia Syms, Diana Dors, Gordon Jackson, Maurice Denham, Sam Wanamaker, Harry Andrews.
Directed by Seth Holt.

Danger Route is one of many imitations of James Bond films, so popular in the mid-sixties. The film focuses on the British Secret Service, adventures. double agents. The strength of the film in its cast: Richard Johnson an hero and quite a number of English and American character actors in support. Direction to by Seth Holt, a director who made regrettably few films before his untimely death: Station Six Sahara, The Nanny.

1. The quality of this film as a British thriller? The British tone, conventions?

2. The significance of the title, the credits, the whispered plan at the beginning of the film? The irony that there was no escape route, only a danger route?

3. Audience response to the ugly and violent world of espionage, the manipulation, treachery, double agents and hypocrisy? The espionage world as a symbol for the ugliness of our world?

4. Jonas Wilde? The significance of his name, a Jonah, wild? How interesting a character, how sympathetic? The licensed killer, his efficiency in his jobs? His personality, his love for Jocelyn? His relationship with Mari and Rhoda? His being used by British Intelligence, pursued by the C.I.A., betrayed by his own friend? His involvement in his work? Detachment from people and from killing?

5. Comment on the visualizing of his skill at his work, getting Rhoda infatuated, committing the actual murder, his escaping pursuit and torture?

6. The impact of his discovering the truth and his motivation of revenge? The final blackmail by British Intelligence?

7. The portrayal of women, as used, as spies and treacherous? The fact that most of the women were unsympathetic? Except foe Rhoda who was a victim? The double aspects of Jocelyn and Marl? The attitudes of Barbara Canning?

8. The presentation of Ravenspur, Anthony Canning and their roles in espionage?

9. Audience sympathy for Brian Stern, the awareness of his villainous power, his treachery? Audiences being taken in by the identity of the villain?

10. The picture of the C.I.A., their methods, Lucinda?

11. The importance of the settings, the details of detection, American-British? relationships?

12. The value of the film as entertainment, espionage thriller, an aspect of a sour outlook on life?