Tag: Kirk douglass

The Master Touch

The Master Touch is a 1972 movie directed by Michele Lupo.

The Master Touch tells the story of a thief who decides to do the proverbial “last job” before retiring. Kirk Douglass plays Steve, a technologically sophisticated criminal who recruits Giuliano Gemma’s Marco, a trapeze artist, as his protege. Typical of many Euro offerings of the time, Gemma does the heavy lifting while Douglass sleepwalks through much of the movie. Gemma’s highlights include several fun fight scenes and a tremendous car chase sequence. His usual affable personality fits with Douglass’ easy charm. Yet, Douglass turns on the intensity over the movie’s final act, revealing a gritty darkness.

THE BEST – That Badass Car Chase

The Master Touch features one of the wildest Euro Crime car chases you’ll find. Gemma’s Marco and a Mafia tough rampage through “German” streets, destroying cars, scaling steps and defying physics. One of the cars carries another flipped vehicle before getting shredded into a convertible.

THE BEST Part 2 – Early 70’s Technology

The style and imagination of 70’s technology is fascinating. Douglass’ Steve employs a variety of gadgets – including “electronic computers” – that are now laughably outdated but wildly inventive and chic at the time.

THE WORST – Steve Constantly Incriminates His Wife

Typical of most Euro Crime plots, the relationship between Steve and Florinda Bolkan’s Anna makes no sense. Anna wants Steve to not lie to her about his upcoming heist, yet she plays a major role in the scheme. It’s a confusing, frustrating hole in an otherwise solid movie.

FOX FORCE FIVE RATING – 3.75/5

The Master Touch is an interesting Euro Crime offering. Gemma’s action scenes are fun, the technology and 70’s style are impressive and Douglass shines during the movie’s climax.

Paths of Glory

Paths of Glory is a 1957 movie directed by Stanley Kubrick.

Paths of Glory tells the story of Colonel Dax, a unit commander in World War I, who leads his men on a dangerous mission. After an unsuccessful outcome, he is then forced to defend three of his soldiers from a vindictive court martial.

Like a lot of movie fans, I hesitate to watch anything predating 1960. There is a rhythm and tone to classic movies that always feels unnatural – or at least aged. From a purely aesthetic view, dreamy, soft focus black and white removes the kind of Neo-reality I seek in movies.

Paths of Glory is an exception to my overly rigid qualifications. Stanley Kubrick delivers a simply outstanding movie that doesn’t feel dramatically dated.

Similar to The Killing, Paths of Glory boasts a sharp, clean black and white environment. This look accentuates the brutality and systematic destruction of trench warfare. Kubrick’s closeup shots of battered and traumatized soldiers further this theme. They appear dazed and almost corpse-like as death swirls around them.

The movie’s sounds contribute to this mayhem. Continuous bomb blasts create a jarring effect – jolting soldiers and rattling debris from the trench walls. Boldly advancing through this chaos is Kirk Douglass’ Colonel Dax, whose natural poise and calm establish him as a genuine leader – rather than a stock figure of empty heroism.

Douglass’ walk through the trenches is the stuff of movie legends. Kubrick employs a single, winding tracking shot – before Douglass disappears into a cloud of smoke. There is no compromise in Dax’s character – only the resolve of a man trying to accomplish an impossible mission that will likely kill the men he’s responsible for leading.

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