Schlock producer Dick Randall almost had a solid "B" movie with Invaders of the Lost Gold. The first third of the film was excellent with a particularly fun bar fight seen augmented by very beautiful lady's gracefully dancing for our enjoyment. Once the premise is set and the whole gang is in the Jungle on a River Boat determined to retrieve the gold which as you can guess is hidden in a Jungle Cave, things really go haywire. If you have ever worked with haywire you will understand the reference. Lovely Laura Gemser (Maria) dies for know apparent reason during a skinny dipping scene, Someone releases a snake into the jungle guides tent for no reason, Harold Sakata (Tobachi) and the great Woody Strode's (Cal) fight to the death scene ends up in a Bro-hug for no reason, On and on we go. The acting is good with the very hot Glynis Barber (Janice) and her father David De Martyn (Douglas) quite believable. Stewart Whitman as leading man (Mark Forest) was also O.K. A special shout out to Harrold Sakata, in his last film, who keeps a sense of humor while everybody else on the boat is either forlorned or angry. The great veteran of many Filipino movies Mike Cohen as the scruffy boat Captain is also notable. I understand that director Alan Birkinshaw has done good work in other endeavors but he really bit the big one with Invaders. Wow, really bad directing and it seemed that he just ran out of any sort of screenplay with thirty minutes remaining in the film. The scene where Woody Strode meets his end would have received a (D-) from any respectable Junior College film class. I am however going to give Invaders of the Lost Gold a recommendation for the talent on screen, and even with the numerous flaws it was still entertaining. With a little more story and better directing Producer Dicky Randall would have had a clear winner.
Review of Invaders of the Lost Gold
