Customer Reviews

High Bright Sun (Digitally Remastered) [DVD]

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"The High Bright Sun" aka "McGuire Go Home", is one of the few films to be set during the Cypriot struggle for independence from British rule. Like many films it could have chosen to either become embroiled in ideology or to avoid being mired in such risky matters. In this one the makers take the safe course, and in so doing lose the opportunity to make something really worthwhile. Director Ralph Thomas collaborates again with Dirk Bogarde who plays a British intelligence officer on the trail of a well known terrorist. One mans terrorist, another mans freedom fighter! An American archaeologist played by the strikingly attractive Susan Strasberg, daughter of Lee, plays the woman who inadvertently gets dragged into the independence struggle. George Chakiris plays a suave villain who is happy to bump Miss Strasberg off despite her good looks. Denholm Elliott also provides interesting support as an alcoholic undercover officer.

Whilst the film provides quite interesting entertainment, it is of the type that does not exactly challenge the senses, which is okay if that is what you want. All the characters are too one dimensional to care about. They are of the cardboard cut out variety, which hardly challenges Bogarde's acting abilities fully. Susan Strasberg is perhaps the highlight, as she runs around in her suspiciously sixties looking attire trying to avoid Chakiris's nasty hitman. Chakiris merely has to give a few sinister smiles in his role. Elliott provides us with an unintentionally funny impression of a dying swan. Nice one Denholm! There is a barely believable romance between Bogarde and Strasberg, and that is not because of Bogarde's well known preferences! It is a film that I have never seen before, and would not go out of my way to see again. Average at best.

A GOOD ACTION FILM, WITH DIRK BOGARDE IN AND GEORGE CHAKARIS AND LOVELY SUSAN STRASBERG AS THE LOVE INTEREST. ALL SURROUNDED BY THE STRUGGLE FOR CYPRIOT INDEPENDENCE, IT HAS IT'S action moments and it's slow moments. But it's a good film for a lazy day.

A young American woman archeologist of Greek Cypriot descent witnesses the visit of a highly wanted terrorist leader to the home of the family she's staying with. She is offered safe conduct out of Cypress and her life will be spared if she says nothing, but can the terrorists be trusted to keep their word. Meanwhile, a British Army officer (Bogarde) attached to the local garrison becomes convinced that she's not letting onto him about what she has seen and knows.

I hadn't seen this in a long while so I was glad to catch up with the story. However, I found the Dirk Bogarde character to be rude and boorish. The locations were good however. The picture quality is mostly so-so and there are no extras.

I really like this Dirk Bogarde film; I've been a Sir Bogarde follower for the past 13 years now. Plus, the image quality is really good.