A spy parody based on a comic strip character, the incredible superspy Modesty Blaise (Monica Vitti) a former villainess who now works for the British government (at a price), who along with her side-kick Willie Garvin (Terence Stamp) are hired to protect a shipment of diamonds and keep them out of the hands of Gabriel, self-confessed villain of the piece.
The film reminded me of some of the Girl from U. N. C. L. E TV shows of the same time period, with glossy surroundings and some outrageous 1960's outfits. The film seems to lose its way between drama and humour.
Apart from Johnny Dankworths excellent score, the best parts of the film are left to the villains, Gabriel (Dirk Bogarde) in an outrageous wig and his main side-kick Miss Fothergill (Rossella Falk).
While Gabriel is probably the campest villain going, he probably has some of the best lines, such as when staked out in the sun he begs for champagne. Miss Fothergill seems to be a woman who kills for no apparent reason and has a dislike for Modesty Blaise.
There is a scene where Gabriel is trying to get Modesty to join him and just after saying Modesty must trust him, Miss Fothergill enters and knocks Modesty Blaise unconscious with a knock-out karate chop to the neck. After Modesty faints Gabriel looks down at her and chides Miss Fothergill by saying not too hard, Miss Fothergill, not too hard. The look Fothergill gives him says I'll hit her just as hard as I please. The interaction between the villains is excellent.
All in all, a rather confusing film but still quite entertaining if not taken seriously.
The film reminded me of some of the Girl from U. N. C. L. E TV shows of the same time period, with glossy surroundings and some outrageous 1960's outfits. The film seems to lose its way between drama and humour.
Apart from Johnny Dankworths excellent score, the best parts of the film are left to the villains, Gabriel (Dirk Bogarde) in an outrageous wig and his main side-kick Miss Fothergill (Rossella Falk).
While Gabriel is probably the campest villain going, he probably has some of the best lines, such as when staked out in the sun he begs for champagne. Miss Fothergill seems to be a woman who kills for no apparent reason and has a dislike for Modesty Blaise.
There is a scene where Gabriel is trying to get Modesty to join him and just after saying Modesty must trust him, Miss Fothergill enters and knocks Modesty Blaise unconscious with a knock-out karate chop to the neck. After Modesty faints Gabriel looks down at her and chides Miss Fothergill by saying not too hard, Miss Fothergill, not too hard. The look Fothergill gives him says I'll hit her just as hard as I please. The interaction between the villains is excellent.
All in all, a rather confusing film but still quite entertaining if not taken seriously.
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