At first encounter this would seem as a rather flimsy concoction of muddled espionage pastiche with Dirk Bogarde as a decoding expert surrounded by a league of only very pretty girls - and there are lots of them. One of them is more obtrusive than the others, Susannah York, who importunes on his private life to become his mistress - with complications. The film really becomes interesting, however, when he loses his job, and there the action starts with increasing thickening of the plot, as the espionage business moves into higher gear. Everything is brilliant in this film, however limited it is to its times of the late 60s which makes it very outdated today, but the acting couldn't be better, by Dirk of course, always intelligent and interesting, Susannah York at her best, John Gielgud and Nigel Davenport in smaller but not less important parts, Lilli Palmer as the most experienced of them all and something of an odd key player, and even Donald Sutherland in one vital scene. Jerry Goldsmith is the name of the music vying with Johann Sebastian Bach as Dirk's only actual relief from his troubles, while it all ends with an odd twist, which neither Dirk, Susannah York nor the audience would have expected. It's not altogether a comedy, no thriller, although better than any later James Bond, no real spy thriller, but something of it all in brilliant combination.

When we first meet Sebastian, an Oxford don, he is running to a ceremony at one of the colleges in full regalia. He is followed by a pretty girl, Rebecca Howard, in a jeep. As it turns out both are attracted from the start. Sebastian's talent, aside from his academic knowledge, consists in being a master at breaking enemy codes. WWII has ended, but British intelligence is still interested in deciphering threatening secret messages.Sebastian who lands up in a government office in charge of the all female pool of code breakers, decides to employ Rebecca when she comes to him looking for a job. Things get complicated for him because Carol, the woman he has been seeing, turns out to be a royal pain. He realizes his interest in Rebecca is stronger than he realized.This 1968 British film turned up recently on cable. Not having seen it, we decided to take a look. The film captures the spirit that was prevalent in London during those crazy years of Mod everything. Director David Greene did a fairly good job with a film that never makes clear what it was all about. One of the best things are the opening credits and of course, the costumes of that era.Dirk Bogarde plays the enigmatic Sebastian, the man who can't see a puzzle without solving it. Lilli Palmer has a small role. Susannah York was lovely as Rebecca. John Gielgud and Nigel Davenport play government officers.The musical score by Jerry Goldsmith is an asset for a film with its catchy melodies. Gerry Fisher's camera shows London as it looked during that fun period.

One of my all time favorite movies about WWII. We forget that victory is gained on many fronts and not all of them involve the military. The minds that worked together to break codes are fascinating. Should be required viewing for all who love to do cryptograms.

The Coolest Of Them All...I have strong reasons to believe that is one of the best movies ever made, for it has achieved an accomplishment that was never achieved by any other so - called classics of the late 60s, like 'Blow-Up!' or even the hideously uneven 'Casino Royale'. It succeeds in exposing London's hypnotic late60s atmosphere as well as telling us, viewers, an interesting and rewarding story. It basically consists on the love story between Sebastian, a counter-intelligence agent that works on deciphering codes for England that recruits to work for him - while recruiting girls for his office, he encounters flashy, fashionable, London chick Becky Howard - played to perfection by Susannah York - who becomes one of his employees as well as his lover. She finds terribly hard to keep up with his cold, uninteresting, unappealing life-style, and of not at all being a priority to the man she loves. She leaves him - and it's his turn to find how difficult life is without her. He beguins to fail on his job, to the point of almost been killed by an enemy agent. He decides to leave his pride and go after her - only to find her living alone with a baby, who turns out to be his! He asks her to come back and events lead to a jolly happy ending.Trust me, this is the most exciting journey into 60s popculture that ever was. The coolest of them all, only topped by the also wonderful 'The President's Analyst', featuring great performances by both leads and for co-starring seniors as Lilli Palmer and Sir John Gielgud, and a beguiling soundtrack by Jerry Goldsmith - Listen closely to the tune 'Comes The Night', sung by Anita Harris. Do not, I repeat, do not, miss this one! Yours Truly - Ismar