Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

Close shines in drama with strong language, adult themes.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

There is definitely an excellent idea hidden in the background of the film. Unfortunately, it's difficult to find it.

This is an overlong and fairly routine, but surprisingly enjoyable, tongue-in-cheek swashbuckler. I was interested in the film, firstly, due to an intriguing still from it found in an old British periodical of my father's called "The Movie" – but also because of its eccentric cast.Pier Angeli appears in the dual role of a novice and her twin (kidnapped as a child and brought up as a buccaneer!), Channing Pollock – the magician whose greatest claim to cinematic fame was to be the title role in Georges Franju's splendid 1963 version of JUDEX – is the dashing musketeer hero (banished by the French king for daring to woo his personal concubine!), Aldo Ray – fitted with an unbecoming wig – is an unlikely presence in this type of film and relegated besides to provider of the rather excessive comedy relief (as one half of a pair of lovable scoundrels), while Robert Alda contributes some effective sleek villainy (assisted by a bumbling Raymond Bussieres).The colorful scenery is further enlivened by numerous intrigues and action sequences, all set to a Carlo Rustichelli score…but the film, ultimately, emerges as nothing particularly special.