November 25, 2023

"Michael Martin" (Rock Hudson) is a low-key highwayman in early 1800s Ireland happy to rob the local gentry and contribute to Denis O'Shea's association that is peaceably pressuring for Irish freedom. The latter man isn't keen on accepting the fruits of crime, though, and so "Martin" leaves in a fit of pique and encounters a clergyman who takes him to a tavern. No room at the inn, but the preacher is a man of imagination and soon they are to shar… read the rest.

"Michael Martin" (Rock Hudson) is a low-key highwayman in early 1800s Ireland happy to rob the local gentry and contribute to Denis O'Shea's association that is peaceably pressuring for Irish freedom. The latter man isn't keen on accepting the fruits of crime, though, and so "Martin" leaves in a fit of pique and encounters a clergyman who takes him to a tavern. No room at the inn, but the preacher is a man of imagination and soon they are to share a room - if only the robber can convince the rebel-loathing landlord that he is worthy! Guess what? Folks ain't what they seem and in best "The Moonraker" tradition, the priest turns out to be the legendary "Capt. Thunderbolt" (Jeff Morrow) and swiftly the two become best friends, the former falls madly in love with the mischievous "Aga" (Barbara Rush) and a standard swashbuckling adventure ensues. To be sure, Hudson looks the part - but his acting is always the same - wooden with the occasional glint in his eye. There's virtually no chemistry with the almost as equally uninterested Rush and the presence of Scotsman Finlay Currie as the local balladeer doesn't quite convince either. That said, it's a colourful and reasonably paced film with just enough action, some duplicity, treachery and threat to temper the romantic slush and though maybe not a film I'll remember, I quite enjoyed it.

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