Sure, Coleman Francis probably had cataracts and couldn't find his glasses, and he was standing in a dark tunnel, but we must give him credit, for this film tries desperately with a burning desire to tell the story of corruption, power, and chronicles of the evils of Communism and the beauty of planes, coffee, and cigarettes. And Cherokee Jack.
Those bad films which stand out the most are those who the makers considered art. Ed Wood's Glen or Glenda? Is a good example. Who would dare make a film revealing such shocking facts in that day and age? Transvestism was a no-no back then. And Phil Tucker even said of his own film, Robot Monster "For the budget and for the time, I thought I had achieved Greatness."
And what does this film try to convey to the public? Commies suck. Well, maybe not. Let's just start with the *uh-hum* plot . ..
Coleman Francis plays Griffin, a man who "ran all the way to Hell." But on his way, he picked up two bumbling farmhands (Producer Tony Cardoza and Harold Saunders of The Skydivers), who were on their way to fight in Cuba. After flying with the most memorable character of the film (Buddy Hackett look-a-like Cherokee Jack, who sadly only has two minutes screen time.) After talking to a guy named Justine (!), the soldiers-of-fortune train for battle for a couple minutes, and then walk along to the beach to Coleman Francis's idea of a PT boat, a family pontoon. Soon, they land in an extremely un-tropical Cuba (probably the Gulf of Mexico) and climb up the cliffs towards Castro's hideout. This segment is, by far, the most entertaining aspect of the whole film. It's supposed to be midnight, yet it's clearly daylight, the American Forces outnumber the entire Cuban population, and the HQ of Castro is an apartment complex. The music, however, is entertaining (probably they used stock themes.) But, sadly, our heroes get captured without even firing a shot. then, after being exposed to a lengthy segment of the rebels being shot and Coleman sniffing someone's pant leg, they break the neck of a guard (who, if you look closely enough, was the same actor who played an executed rebel a scene earlier!) and capture a crop duster, flying off to America and freedom. By the way, the jump-cut from Cuba to America is one of the most poorly executed in history. It looks like they just waited until they ran out of film and pasted on the next segment. Sadly, the rest of the film doesn't live up to the entertaining quality of the first part, dealing with the heroes throwing a restaurant owner down a well and shooting Justine's wife before being shoot by a posse of policemen (posse's were one of Coleman Francis's trademarks.) The End. Did I mention that John Carradine is the engineer who is telling the story, and that he ALSO sings the theme song? It's truly a career first for Carradine.
Finally, if you wanted my honest opinion (I know some of you won't), this film is barely a monument in the Bad Movie Hall of Fame. The first half of the film is worthy of anything Ed Wood or Al Adamson has ever made, if not better, but after the escape from Cuba, scenes are padded out needlessly, with trips to the grocery store, looking at the car, etc. It could've been great. Maybe Coleman should've just cut out the last part. But then again, that would make an incredibly shoddy film even shoddier.
On a final note, no normal human being can withstand the amazing levels of sheer stupidity radiating from this film. Best viewed on MST3K. If otherwise, congratulations. You're viewing the artistic work of a "genius". Good luck, and may our hopes be with you.
Those bad films which stand out the most are those who the makers considered art. Ed Wood's Glen or Glenda? Is a good example. Who would dare make a film revealing such shocking facts in that day and age? Transvestism was a no-no back then. And Phil Tucker even said of his own film, Robot Monster "For the budget and for the time, I thought I had achieved Greatness."
And what does this film try to convey to the public? Commies suck. Well, maybe not. Let's just start with the *uh-hum* plot . ..
Coleman Francis plays Griffin, a man who "ran all the way to Hell." But on his way, he picked up two bumbling farmhands (Producer Tony Cardoza and Harold Saunders of The Skydivers), who were on their way to fight in Cuba. After flying with the most memorable character of the film (Buddy Hackett look-a-like Cherokee Jack, who sadly only has two minutes screen time.) After talking to a guy named Justine (!), the soldiers-of-fortune train for battle for a couple minutes, and then walk along to the beach to Coleman Francis's idea of a PT boat, a family pontoon. Soon, they land in an extremely un-tropical Cuba (probably the Gulf of Mexico) and climb up the cliffs towards Castro's hideout. This segment is, by far, the most entertaining aspect of the whole film. It's supposed to be midnight, yet it's clearly daylight, the American Forces outnumber the entire Cuban population, and the HQ of Castro is an apartment complex. The music, however, is entertaining (probably they used stock themes.) But, sadly, our heroes get captured without even firing a shot. then, after being exposed to a lengthy segment of the rebels being shot and Coleman sniffing someone's pant leg, they break the neck of a guard (who, if you look closely enough, was the same actor who played an executed rebel a scene earlier!) and capture a crop duster, flying off to America and freedom. By the way, the jump-cut from Cuba to America is one of the most poorly executed in history. It looks like they just waited until they ran out of film and pasted on the next segment. Sadly, the rest of the film doesn't live up to the entertaining quality of the first part, dealing with the heroes throwing a restaurant owner down a well and shooting Justine's wife before being shoot by a posse of policemen (posse's were one of Coleman Francis's trademarks.) The End. Did I mention that John Carradine is the engineer who is telling the story, and that he ALSO sings the theme song? It's truly a career first for Carradine.
Finally, if you wanted my honest opinion (I know some of you won't), this film is barely a monument in the Bad Movie Hall of Fame. The first half of the film is worthy of anything Ed Wood or Al Adamson has ever made, if not better, but after the escape from Cuba, scenes are padded out needlessly, with trips to the grocery store, looking at the car, etc. It could've been great. Maybe Coleman should've just cut out the last part. But then again, that would make an incredibly shoddy film even shoddier.
On a final note, no normal human being can withstand the amazing levels of sheer stupidity radiating from this film. Best viewed on MST3K. If otherwise, congratulations. You're viewing the artistic work of a "genius". Good luck, and may our hopes be with you.