Made at an early stage in Anthony Hopkins’s film career, this Alistair MacLean adventure gave him a rare opportunity to play an action hero.
In a story adapted by MacLean himself, Hopkins plays Philip Calvert, a single-minded naval agent who is sent, with his aide, to investigate the piracy of gold-bullion ships in the Irish Sea.
Their quest leads them to a Scottish coastal town, where they soon find their lives are in danger.
Calvert is intent on doing the job without falling for the high-life distractions that other spies are prone to. Consequently, he comes across as rather charmless and we find ourselves longing for more of Robert Morley’s delicious comic turn as Hopkins’s spymaster.
Philip Calvert
Anthony Hopkins
Sir Arthur Arnold-Jones (‘Uncle Arthur’)
Robert Morley
Sir Anthony Skouras
Jack Hawkins
Charlotte Skouras
Nathalie Delon
Hunslett
Corin Redgrave
Lord Charnley
Derek Bond
Lavorski
Ferdy Mayne
Tim Hutchinson
Leon Collins
Sue Kirkside
Wendy Allnutt
Imrie
Peter Arne
Director
Etienne Périer
