OUR MAN FLINT (1966)

Apparently, James Bond and BLOW-UP weren't the only influences on Austin Powers. In fact, Mike Myers probably based his Powers character and the look of the films more on OUR MAN FLINT than anything else. The odd thing is that FLINT itself was already a parody of mid-60's spy movies. James Coburn plays Derek Flint, superspy and superstud, who is called upon by ZOWIE (Zonal Organization World Intelligence Espionage) to help fight a group called Galaxy (as far as I could tell, not an acronym) which is trying to blackmail the nations of the earth by disrupting international weather patterns and causing much destruction (and promising more). The film has its share of lulls, as the central plot and action scenes aren’t all that compelling--though the final destruction of Galaxy's Pleasure Island works well, especially considering that in the days before digital effects, this movie used real sets and miniatures, real explosions, and real extras. What fun that remains is almost all in the details: Flint's tie turns into a stethoscope which he uses for breaking into a vault; he has four sexy women living with him in his ritzy bachelor pad; Galaxy is hypnotizing women into being "pleasure units," devoted solely to doing their men's bidding (clearly early versions of Fembots); a quick appearance by Agent 0008 (get it?). The best line comes when Coburn shows his boss, Lee J. Cobb, a nifty lighter which actually has 82 spy functions, "83, if you want to light a cigar." One other funny line (which has some resonance today given our country's recent intelligence problems) comes when Cobb tells off an agent who has messed up: "Great intelligence work--your next post will be Peyton Place." But witty dialogue is not abundant here.

What *is* abundant is "groovy" set design: lots of day-glow colors, psychedelic patterns, and elaborate headquarter sets for the good guys and the bad guys. There is also a giant red phone, the shrill ring of which is exactly like some cell phones today. The idea that Flint is saving women from being unthinking "pleasure units" is rather undercut by the ending, when he has five women oozing all over him, desperate to pleasure him. Coburn looks the part just fine, as does his main antagonist, Gila Golan. Edward Mulhare (who played the Ghost in the 60's TV series of "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir") is the main bad guy. Overall, I don't think this holds up all that well today: the satirical elements peter out after the first half hour, and the more traditional action elements don't kick in until the very end. However, the DVD print looks great: a sharp image with good color, though there aren't any extras except trailers. Recommended for Austin Powers fans. [DVD]