mark.waltz After a few flop movies and a short lived TV series, Julie Andrews needed a hit, and sadly did not get it with this spy drama, pretty much motionless and humorless. She's paired with the handsome Omar Sharif, playing a Russian litigation out to seduce her on order to recruit her. But for what? To get information from her since she works for an important British political figure, or perhaps to help him defect, or even perhaps he really loves her. In the hands of comedy master Blake Edwards, this turns out to be a convoluted mess. Sympathy is there for Julie, having tried but failed to save both "Star!" and "Darling Lily" where even with good notices, she couldn't escape critically dismissed weak films. This one came and went so quickly, it's not a notorious flop, just another beautifully filmed on exotic locations, rushed out, giving superstars a great vacation in addition to work. Julie seems out of her element here, too ladylike to be taken in by a dashing but dangerous man. Sharif, indeed, is charming and sexy, believable as a Russian, yet it's difficult to trust his motives especially after his character proclaims a loyalty to communism, a contempt for democracy and dismisses anything spiritual.There's so much talk about each form of governmental beliefs that little happens in the way of action and the point of view takes over the narrative. Too many minor characters also adds to the convoluted structure, with soap opera plot elements distracting from the main themes. Good supporting performances by Anthony Zerbe and Sylvia Syms help but a boring two hours with only some action at the end makes this quickly dismissable. The ending drags on to a predictable but ridiculous conclusion.

moonspinner55 It's nice to see Julie Andrews trying a straight dramatic role here--something she hadn't done in awhile--but her character of Judith (wise they didn't try to pass her off as a 'Judy') has the old refined manners and tomboyish hairstyle of yore, and Andrews enacts 'grown-up' as any other actress would interpret frigid. Surprisingly bland, unmemorable drama set in Barbados involves shady Omar Sharif (not the liveliest leading man around, not even in 1974!) hoping to make Andrews a spy while also slowly leading her into the proverbial bedroom. Woeful outing does have some camp value: the James Bond-like credits at the beginning are a cheesy hoot. As for Julie, she's quiet and contemplative, but that doesn't do much for the audience--or for the film. Director Blake Edwards paces the whole drab thing like a funeral. *1/2 from ****

amasse Wish the soundtrack were available on CD, also wish the movie were available on DVD. Not a big Sharif fan, but I have always enjoyed this movie. Really enjoy Anthony Quayle and Julie Andrews is very entertaining.

annie_robb One of my favourite Omar films....(then again, they are all my favourites, I'm very biased)...I wouldn't see the film for years as I couldn't imagine my Omar with Mary Poppins...a friend one day brought around the video and said 'watch it!'...I loved it...their convincing onscreen connection soon made me forget the Mary Poppins/Maria image and although still playing the squeaky clean innocent (as only Julie can), there was a lovely chemistry. I won't go into the plot as it's well described in many of the other reviews. My only criticism is the wardrobe...I know the seventies were bad but that white gown with the heavy necklace was hideous as were the prim and proper crisp polyester clothes they put Andrews in back in London....she's gorgeous and they could have done a lot more with her outfits...they could have lost Omar's peach shirt as well (but then again he tends to make anything look good!)...maybe the seventies were that bad...but I loved them and you should love this film.