Mark of the Phoenix

2/9/2023

This has a surprisingly decent cast for a cheap and cheerful cold war espionage thriller. A special metal that could change the whole future of warfare is crafted into a cigarette case that accidentally falls into the hands of American jewel thief "Martin" (Sheldon Lawrence). Needless to say, those sinister folks want it back and what ensues over the next hour is a rather feebly constructed drama that rather joins the dots before an ending that offers little by way of suspense or jeopardy. It's quite dialogue heavy too, with little chemistry between Lawrence and the unremarkable Julia Arnell ("Petra") and though it passes the time effortlessly enough, it's all quite forgettable.