Modesty Blaise (1966)

44% of critics liked it
(9 reviews)
38% of users liked it
(947 ratings)

A popular British comic strip series served as inspiration for this light-hearted espionage adventure, which if nothing else certainly shows the marks of its origins in the mid-1960s. A large departure for director Joseph Losey, better known for brooding interpretations of Harold Pinter works (The… More A popular British comic strip series served as inspiration for this light-hearted espionage adventure, which if nothing else certainly shows the marks of its origins in the mid-1960s. A large departure for director Joseph Losey, better known for brooding interpretations of Harold Pinter works (The Servant, Accident), the film is emphatically bright and colorful, taking on at times a nearly psychedelic feel. The strangeness is emphasized by the unusual casting, including Italian star Monica Vitti in her first English-speaking role as the title character and Dirk Bogarde, playing against type as her arch-nemesis. Essentially everything is played for its camp value, including the rather convoluted, James Bond-like plot, which concerns the hijacking of a shipment of diamonds heading for the Middle East. Like its mod-era sets and costumes, this unusual, inconsistent effort is certainly intriguing and attractive, but might seem rather dated to some. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 2 hr.
Directed By: Joseph Losey
Written By: Evan Jones
Genres: Art House & International, Mystery & Suspense, Classics, Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1966 Wide
On DVD: Jul 16, 2002
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

, Variety
Not merely a spy spoof, based on a book and a comic strip about a femme James Bond type, the colorful production gives the horse laugh to many different film plots and styles.
Bosley Crowther, New York Times
Too much of it is just foolish, labored and sometimes painful camp.
, Movie Talk
Joseph Losey weaves his own brand of magic with this psychedelic spoof.
Philip Kemp, Total Film
Joseph Losey didn't really do frivolous. Which is probably why his attempt at spoofy pseudo-Bondery is so direly unfunny.
Derek Adams, Time Out
under the non-stop stream of jokes lies a bitter edge of malice, directed not only against the genre itself but against a society which trusts its politicians and its generals.
Ryan Cracknell, Apollo Guide
At a running time of just under two full hours, the boredom becomes as exaggerated as the wallpaper.
Jeffrey Westhoff, Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)
I waited 20 years to see this movie, and boy was I let down! Terence Stamp was cool, though.

Read all 7 critic reviews

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

One of my least favourite spy movies. It's more about the whole mod female spy fashion and coolness, and focuses less on plot, characters, and anything else. I didn't care for it.
Stefanie C

So very camp. Great actors, fine director and lovely sets can't save a bad script. There are only two reasons to watch this film: 1) the fashions modeled by Vitti, and 2) die-hard fans of Dirk Bogarde or Terence Stamp.

Cast

            Monica Vitti as Modesty Blaise

            Terence Stamp as Willie Garvin

            Dirk Bogarde as Gabriel

            Harry Andrews as Sir Gerald Tarrant

            Michael Craig as Paul Hagan

            Scilla Gabel as Melina

            Alexander Knox as Minister

            Clive Revill as McWhirter

            Rossella Falk as Mrs. Fothergill

            Joe Melia as Crevier

            Lex Schoorel as Walter

            Sylvain as Pacco

            Jon Bluming as Hans

            Roberto Bisacco as Enrico

            Saro Urzì as Basilio

            Tina Aumont as Nicole

            Michael Chow as Weng

            John Karlsen as Oleg

            Patrick Ludlow as Under Secretary

            Oliver MacGreevy as Tattooed Man

            John Stacy as Tyboria Captain

            Robin Hunter as Pilot

            Wolfgang Hillinger as Handsome

            Denys Graham as Copilot

            George Fisher
            
See full cast