Made at an early stage in Anthony Hopkins's film career, this Alistair MacLean adventure gave him a rare opportunity to play an action hero. In a story about piracy (adapted by MacLean himself), he plays a single-minded naval agent who's intent on doing the job without falling for the high-life distractions that other spies are prone to. Consequently, he comes across as rather charmless and we find ourselves longing for more of Robert Morley's delicious comic turn as Hopkins's spymaster.

Italian World War II flick direted by Luigi Batzella.