Gripping

This film was surprisingly good and gripping so all credit to Bryan Forbes for his direction. Nobody stole the film - it was a good ensemble piece. George Segal and James Fox were good contrasting characters, Segal being so 'smart' and American and out to make a fast buck which you can see as corruption or survival. James Fox plays along, looking beautiful, but his acting is impeccible. Others have smaller roles but still stand out e.g. John Mills, Leonard Rossiter, Denholm Elliot and others.

The only flaw for me was the lone man coming to liberate the camp. Could that happen? Surely it would have been a line of jeeps as you did see later.

However, that aside, it's a good study of the human condition, the British class system, the ease of falling into corrupt ways as a means of survival. And then we have the superb Tom Courtenay who stands out as the only incorruptible man in the camp sticking doggedly to his principles and finding disappointment all around him as he sees that those he looked up to in rank are just as corrupt as those below him. Fine performances all round.