An ageing biochemist called Benjamin Lancer goes missing, only to suddenly reappear looking thirty years younger. UNCLE agents Napoleon Solo and Illya Kuriyakin investigate and discover that Professor Gritsky (played by Harry Davis), a protégé of Lancer's, has created an age-rejuvenation machine. The jostle for control of the machine results in a series of murders and fashion magnate Madame De' Sala (played by Vera Miles) wants it to revive the career of her guardian and benefactor, the elderly and frail former politician Sir Norman Swickert (played by Maurice Evans) so she can share in the power. But, things are complicated when THRUSH learn about the Professor's invention who dispatch their top agent, the suave, charming but utterly ruthless Jordin (played by Bernard Fox) to get it by all means necessary...
The fourth feature film spun from the classic spy series The Man From UNCLE, which was aired in the US as a two-part episode entitled 'The Bridge Of Lyons Affair', but re-edited and released theatrically overseas. It stands as one of the better efforts with plenty of slick tongue-in-cheek action, a great jazzy music score and a particularly good villain in the form of Bernard Fox's suave but ruthless Jordin. Other notable members of the cast include Leo G. Carroll who plays his regular role from the TV series as UNCLE chief Alexander Waverley and gets a little more to do here than usual. Maurice Evans is good as the retired politician whose attempt at a return to public life ends in tragedy and Vera Miles, one of Alfred Hitchcock's favourite leading ladies, is also noteworthy as the disillusioned dressmaker who believes that she has been unfairly held back in life and sees the Professor's invention as a means of getting the man she loves and herself to the top of political power. This adventure is set largely in England and the studio bound and somewhat unconvincing sets that make do for London and the Home Counties are amusing to look at.
The fourth feature film spun from the classic spy series The Man From UNCLE, which was aired in the US as a two-part episode entitled 'The Bridge Of Lyons Affair', but re-edited and released theatrically overseas. It stands as one of the better efforts with plenty of slick tongue-in-cheek action, a great jazzy music score and a particularly good villain in the form of Bernard Fox's suave but ruthless Jordin. Other notable members of the cast include Leo G. Carroll who plays his regular role from the TV series as UNCLE chief Alexander Waverley and gets a little more to do here than usual. Maurice Evans is good as the retired politician whose attempt at a return to public life ends in tragedy and Vera Miles, one of Alfred Hitchcock's favourite leading ladies, is also noteworthy as the disillusioned dressmaker who believes that she has been unfairly held back in life and sees the Professor's invention as a means of getting the man she loves and herself to the top of political power. This adventure is set largely in England and the studio bound and somewhat unconvincing sets that make do for London and the Home Counties are amusing to look at.