THE HIGH COMMISSIONER
UK, 1968, 101 minutes, Colour.
Rod Taylor, Christopher Plummer, Lili Palmer, Camilla Sparv, Leo Mc Kern.
Directed by Ralph Thomas.
The High Commissioner (Nobody Runs Forever) is based on Jon Cleary's Scobie Malone thriller. Cleary has written a series of thrillers with this detective (writing up till 2001) - and Jack Thompson appeared in the title role of the 1975 film based on the novel Helga's Web. This is a much better film than Scobie Malone. It has the reliability of Rod Taylor and a very strong supporting cast. The Australian flavour appears at the beginning with Leo Mc Kern doing an impersonation of a New South Wales Premier (like 60s Sir Robin Askin). The action is in London and involves international espionage as well as a murder in Australia. The background is somewhat like that of a Hitchcock thriller - territory which Ralph Thomas entered with his Kenneth More 1958 remake of The 39 Steps. In many ways conventional, but quite entertaining.
1. The focus of the title and its British tone? The alternative title for America was Nobody Runs Forever. The appropriateness of this title?
2. The importance of the British and Australian atmospheres? Local Australian colour at the opening, Northern Territory, Sydney? This Australian background with Scobie Malone and London? British locations and the contrast of Australian and English manner?
3. The qualities of the film as a thriller? The murder background. the politics, the role of the High Commissioner, Scobie Malone as detective, international espionage? Did they blend well for interest and excitement?
4. How did the film continually focus on Sir James and Scobie? The comparison of the two men and the contrast? Personality, work, idealism and dedication?
5. The presentation of Sir James as High Commissioner? The quality of his work, his status in England? His relationship with his wife and the explanation of the background? His diplomacy, suave manner, courtesy? His manner at the party after Scobie's arrival? How did this contrast with the background of his being accused of murder? The attempts on his life and his reaction? His ability to cope?
6. The assassination attempt. his manner at the meeting, the importance of the conference? Scobie's presence in the background, the quality of the bond between the two men?
7. Scobie Malone as the hero? An Australian detective and policeman? The tradition of the American private eye and the police film? Seeing him at work in the Northern Territory, the toughness and the punching? His arrival in Sydney? The encounter with the Premier and the Police Commissioner? The ironies of his arrival in England and the atmosphere of someone from the Colonies? His Australian appearance and style? His helping the High Commissioner and trying to do his job? Coping with Elsa, Sir James' wife? Joseph and the humour of the British valet? The encounter with the spy? His skill in helping, detecting? Encounters with the British police? The usual ingredients of a thriller?
8. The importance of the Australian background, the Australian Premier and his bluntness and his ambitions? The issues and his tone?
9. The control from Australia of its High Commissioner? The phone calls to and from Australia?
10. The background of international politics and arms? Jamaica and the C.I.A.? The assassins? How well portrayed was the build-up at Wimbledon - Australian tennis-playing, international espionage and assassinations? The chases? The final explosions?
11. The irony of Joseph and his love of money and involvement in espionage? His boss and her cool control of situations?
12. The character of Sheila and her part in the death of Sir James' first wife? Her apprehension, trying to get Scobie on side? Devotion to her husband and concern for him? Elsa as the Australian migrant, her devotion to Sir James, her growing admiration for Scobie? The contrast of these women with the fashionable woman involved in espionage?
13. The portrayal of the British police and their abilities and incapability?
14. The build-up to tension with the meeting itself and Sir James in a breakthrough, the time factor? Joseph and his decisions and his death? Sheila and the taking of the clock to kill herself and the woman? The pathos of these deaths?
15. How well did the film blend personal and social thews with the thriller genre?
