The Black Windmill (1974 Don Siegel)

Self-controlled MI6 agent Michael Caine attempts to free kidnapped son with boss's diamonds. Donald Pleasance good as his immediate superior, with a great cast comprising Janet Suzman (his ex), Delphine Seyrig (who I stupidly didn't recognise under efficient English accent), John Vernon (baddy), Joss Ackland, Clive Revill, Catherine Schell and even Joyce Carey as a receptionist!

Liked scene where Pleasance is barely interested in kidnap story but more enthused by exploding briefcase; Tony Gibbs' cutting round a table where Pleasance inadvertently describes a target's name as 'Sean Connery'.

Leigh Vance's screenplay doesn't bother to wrap up the plot too well, but who cares? Source novel 'Seven Days to a Killing' is by Clive Egleton. It was shot by Ousama Rawi in Panavision (thus do not watch ITV4's cropped version), the only Iraqi cameraman I'm aware of, who is still working making prestigous TV mini-series. Roy Budd's music is the only non-event.