Jon Cleary's novel 'The High Commissioner' adapted to screen by William Greatorex, none too successfully. For some obscure reason, Australian cop Rod Taylor is sent to London to bring back statesman Christopher Plummer, who is believed to be a fugitive from murder; only he's now involved in an international conference of some significance, and he and Taylor bond. There's murder attempts (not sure why really), women, spies and other assorted types you find in films like these. They are populated by wife Lili Palmer, high class tart Daliah Lavi (in unforgiving makeup), drippy assistant Camilla Sparv, butler Clive Revill, cop Lee Montague, suspicious American Calvin Lockhart, Derren Nesbitt (
Where Eagles Dare, Monte Carlo or Bust, Innocent Bystanders) and Bert Kwouk.
Some nice London locations, filmed by Ernest Steward. Music from Georges Delerue. The ending is stupid (the wife would have had a decent hearing and got away with not murder).
Rough Ozzie vs. posh Brits best caught in interactions with butler. ("What are these?" "Kippers" sort of thing.) Taylor seems a bit stiff, in contrast to more smooth roles like in Hotel. It's not one of his best.
Cleary wrote 'The Sundowners' and this was the first in a series starring Sydney policeman Scobie Malone.
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