Assault on a Queen

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Moviecut—Assault on a Queen

Assault on a Queen

Assault on a Queen offers an intriguing, albeit far-fetched, caper on the high seas. To say "far-fetched" is a bit of an understatement really. Clearly all of the scenes underwater were shot in a pool (you can clearly see the sides of the pool). In addition, the scenes towards the end of the film are almost laughable. Still, since this film was not filmed with our modern technology, its understandable that some of these features are not up to snuff. However, there are far too many holes in the plot to make up for the lack of sophisticated filming. From the timetables used by the crew to the strategies to the final scene everything is just too hard to believe. The acting does not enhance the film either, making each character a bit predictable and wooden. Pros: Incredibly interesting narrative idea. Cons: Tired acting, unbelievable plot and low quality stunts. 5/10.

A harmless trifle directed by Jack Donohue. Frank Sinatra is oddly cast as a scuba diver(!) for hire who teams up with a band of criminals to hijack and rob the Queen Mary. Sinatra has great chemistry with leading lady Virna Lisi and there's some glossy cinematography by William H. Daniels. Duke Ellington provides the jazzy music score. All of this is really for naught since most of the film is spent on the planning of the heist and therefore fairly dull. The rag tag supporting cast includes Alf Kjellin, Richard Conte and Anthony Franciosa as the group's resident hothead. The script is by Rod Serling (from a story by Jack Finney) so one would expect a whole lot more than what one gets.

Although some of the underwater scenes in this film were pretty good, I am afraid I found the film a frightful bore. The only thing that raised me from my torpor was a glaring error. Anthony Franciosa is supposed to be impersonating a British naval officer. He is told to pronounce lieutenant "leftenant" the British way and not "lootenant" the American way. But Anthony Franciosa let's a "lootenant" slip out, and nearly ruins the whole operation, getting away with it by claiming a Canadian connection. Only one problem: in the Royal Navy it is correct to leave the f sound out, so, by saying "lootenant", Anthony Franciosa was doing nothing wrong. This is just careless by Rod Serling the scriptwriter, and, as another commenter said, Rod Serling should have stuck to The Twilight Zone. And I'm not impressed with Mr Franciosa's research for his part either.

With the help of a German submarine Captain, and, a mixed bag of others...Frank Sinatra attempts to recover an old, sunken World War II German submarine and use it to rob a cruise liner!?!? This is so absolutely ridiculous...it's genius! Most everything about this plan is preposterous...but, that's why this movie works so well! With a cast starring the talented and brilliant Frank Sinatra; the elusive and dangerous Richard Conte; the mysterious and knowledgeable Alf Kjellin; and, the beautiful and alluring Virna Lisi...how will this pan out!?!? With a "PERFECT" screenplay written by the multi-talented Rod Serling ("The Twilight Zone;" "Seven Days In May;" "The Planet of the Apes;" "The Night Gallery;" etc.), anything can happen in this wonderful epic adventure! I give this movie NINE STARS! :)

This is a remarkable enjoyable adventure. I first saw this movie when I was a small boy of 8 years old. I have seen it several times since and I am still amazed by how much I like this movie. To an 8 year old this is a tale of adventure , risk , reward , and right over wrong. The musical soundtrack while limited is truly inspired by the plot. If you release yourself from the everyday roll of life and just let that little child in you come out with an awe of the impossible you will totally be absorbed by the picture. The acting is OK , the cloths dated , the bravado overacted but no matter how many things about this movie are just plain bad - the overall premise is inspiring . I am finding it hard to not give away any plot but I would not want to spoil this experience for anyone. Give it a try - you will not be disappointed.

As a lifelong Sinatra fan I long ago learned to distinguish between fan as in admirer and fan as in fanatic and there are plenty of the latter who would find something praise-worthy in this pedestrian heist movie which definitely belongs in the same category as Four For Texas, The Kissing Bandit, Double Dynamite etc. The premise is simple not to say simple minded. Sinatra and Errol John are partners in a boat they charter by the day, much like Jack Lemmon and Robert Mitchum in Fire Down Below. Short of cash they agree to dive in search of sunken treasure on behalf of Tony Franciosa and Virna Lisi. Whilst diving Sinatra stumbles on a U-boat on the ocean floor and unbelievable as it sounds the group decide to raise it to the surface, refurbish it and rob the Queen Mary. It ends in tears. Nuff said.

Were they really serious when they tried to make a watchable, entertaining heist caper that otherwise resulted in Assault On A Queen? I couldn't help but wonder the deeper back story to this production. This has the look and feel of what might have been intended to be a reuniting of the famous Rat Pack clan that Dino, Sammy and Joey wisely decided to pass on (we know Peter Lawford wouldn't have been asked with The Chairman at the helm). If that was indeed the case, Frank had to muddle on with a cast of substitutes, all playing below their game to live down to his expectations. The climax scenes are so laughably inept, with terribly executed effects...and dialog, that period audiences must have squirmed in their seats. There are far better fish in this sea to catch. Throw Assault On A Queen back.