Mark of the Phoenix
| Mark of the Phoenix | |
|---|---|
.png) Poster for French release | |
| Directed by | Maclean Rogers |
| Written by | Norman Hudis |
| Based on | novel The Phoenix Sings by Desmond Cory[1] |
| Produced by | W.G. Chalmers |
| Starring | Julia Arnall Sheldon Lawrence Anton Diffring |
| Cinematography | Geoffrey Faithfull |
| Edited by | Harry Booth |
| Music by | Wilfred Burns (uncredited) |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Butcher's Film Service (UK) |
Release date |
|
Running time | 78 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Mark of the Phoenix is a 1958 British second feature ('B')[2] drama film directed by Maclean Rogers and starring Julia Arnall, Sheldon Lawrence and Anton Diffring.[3] It was written by Norman Hudis. An American jewel thief comes into possession of a newly developed metal.
Plot
A newly developed and valuable metal is stolen and formed into a cigarette case for transportation to East Germany, but an American jewel thief comes into possession of it and finds himself a target.
Cast
- Julia Arnall as Petra
- Sheldon Lawrence as Chuck Martin
- Anton Diffring as Inspector Schell
- Eric Pohlmann as Duser
- George Margo as Emilson
- Michael Peake as Koos
- Martin Miller as Brunet
- Roger Delgado as Devron
- Bernard Rebel as Vachek
- Frederick Schrecker as Van de Velde
- Pierre Chaminade as hotel receptionist
- Corinne Grey as bride
- Jennifer Jayne as airline ticket clerk
- Edouard Assaly as café waiter
- Victor Beaumont as travel clerk
- Norma Parnell as 2nd airline ticket clerk
- Howard Greene as young detective
- Tom Clegg as strong man
- Patrick Troughton as police officer (uncredited)
Critical reception
The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "This spy story has all the usual trimmings as tough, handsome American jewel thief, portly art-collector gang leader, shot scientist, secret formula and brutal foreign agents as but almost makes up for their familiarity by lively pacing. This turns out to be the film’s sole virtue, however, since direction, dialogue and performances are on a distressingly amateurish level.”[4]
In British Sound Films David Quinlan wrote: ''Feverishly complicated thriller, not too well acted.''[5]
The Radio Times Guide to Films gave the film 1/5 stars, writing: "This dismal low-budget thriller has a corkscrew plot involving rare metals, jewel thieves, international blackmail, the Cold War and much else. [...] The mediocre cast is typical of British B-movies of the period, with the sole exception of Anton Diffring."[6]
References
- ^ "Desmond Cory Book Gallery - 1950s".
- ^ Chibnall, Steve; McFarlane, Brian (2009). The British 'B' Film. London: BFI/Bloomsbury. p. 68. ISBN 978-1-8445-7319-6.
- ^ "Mark of the Phoenix". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
- ^ "Mark of the Phoenix". Monthly Film Bulletin. 26 (300): 138. 1 January 1959.
- ^ Quinlan, David (1984). British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959. London: B.T. Batsford Ltd. p. 345. ISBN 0-7134-1874-5.
- ^ Radio Times Guide to Films (18th ed.). London: Immediate Media Company. 2017. p. 593. ISBN 9780992936440.
External links
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