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Salient. Victoria University Student Newspaper. Volume 37, Number 8. April 24 1972

Flicks

Flicks

But for the grace of God, NAC, and the Lido showing times I would be writing about 'England Made Me'. However Easter in Christchurch, re-directed flights, and being unable to attend 8pm screenings for the moment have conspired to have me wander into the Princess and see 'Sabotage'. Something I had no real intention of doing, a feeling which I can only hope is shared by everyone else on the planet.

'Sabotage' is the first Filipino film I have set eyes on. If they are all like this, I hope it is the last. For someone, albeit under an American alias, to actually think this nonsense up, engaged people to help him realise it, and then, having had no shortage of time to think it over, to release it is mind boggling. In fact everything about this spy thriller featuring Agent X44, Tony Francino (pronounced Francine, however), is mind boggling. The plot —unlikely to rate five out of twenty in standard three composition — defies description, the acting — impaired by having only plot trigger lines dubbed — is comprehensible and the direction fails to put in an appearance. Admittedly, one could go in similar vein until another one of these outings comes along, but, suffice, to say, no epithet of scorn would be wasted on the while fiasco. A real indication of just how awry the film is, the blurb, an accurate representation of the form, but not the of the contents, gives the aptly shuddering description: sex.... citing.... dangers.... lover-boy..... Christ!

In reply to the 'Jon Bowie' query (if that doesn't put too fine a point on it), James Mason starred in The Last of Sheila', not John Mills. However, if I remember the film rightly, Mr Mason didn't bear sufficient scrutiny for notice of his name to be taken. However, an apology is due and trust the humble offer of one is accepted in similar tone. However The Best of Sheila' was not, in more ways than one; and if it was intelligent, it was decadently so.