Our Man Flint (1966)

There's really been only one rival to James Bond: Derek Flint. That's because of James Coburn's special brand of American cool. He's so cool, in fact, that he doesn't care to save the world. That is, until he's personally threatened. He's a true libertarian, with more gadgets and girls than Bond, but with none of his stress or responsibility. Here he's totally unflappable as he thwarts mad scientists who control the weather--and an island of pleasure drones. Lee J. Cobb costars as Flint's flustered superior, and Edward Mulhare plays a British nemesis with snob appeal. For fans of Austin Powers, incidentally, the funny-sounding phone comes from the Flint films. However, Our Man Flint's best gadget remains the watch that enables Flint to feign death. There's a great Jerry Goldsmith score, too. --Bill Desowitz Amazon.com

I hate to rain on the parade, but...

When it first came out in the sixties, I thought Flint was really cool. I watched it in 2008, and it turns out that my memory of how cool the film was just shows how little I knew in the sixties, either about cool or about movies. The special effects are primative, the plot tedious, and the acting over. All that remains is James Coburn, who really is cool. But Coburn has been in much better films than this. Watch The Magnificent Seven instead. July 5, 2008

Intelligent, well-crafted spoof

I don't know how any fanatical follower of James Bond or the Man or Girl from U.N.C.L.E. could look at said icons in the same way after watching this exceptional movie. Loaded with brilliant gadgetry, special effects, costuming, acrobatic heroics, imaginative sets, and more importantly, pointed, even progressive dialogue, this one might be the best of the genre.
James Coburn is one cool cat, Gila Golan is shockingly sensual, Lee J. Cobb at his most hilarious - a great actor who can move a scene with a simple incredulous expression, and these players get the benefit of tight direction and expert editing. Small criticism: picture gets a bit frantic near the end and runs about eight minutes too long.
Edward Mulhare plays the gentleman nemesis in the perfect part for Michael Caine, and you won't miss Michael Caine.
Flint's omnipresence of mind and resourcefulness is powerfully projected: he's a Master in Eastern Meditatation, a Ballet Instructor, willing to cross continents to give a dance company a leg up, a champion of Feminism. And never breaks a sweat. Even his love scene with G.A.L.A.X.Y. agent Galon is more *suggested* than framed as an all-important plot element.
The script, by Hal Fimberg and Ben Starr, can only be considered decades ahead. March 11, 2008

Clint on Flint

James Bond might be 007, BUT!!!!!

Derek Flint is 10-1/2

And with 3 female housmates he needed it.

When will the Britts learn ( Jeeeez ) December 28, 2007

[Three and-a-half stars] Take that, James Bond!

James Coburn fans will love! The suave,
debonaire Flint parodies that unpercrust
Brit superspy in a very fine film! Leo K
Jacob (Lee J Cobb), who was outstanding
in Clint Eastwood's Coogan's Bluff co-
stars! Simply put - very good and funny!
Pick Up On It!
June 24, 2006

Our Man Flint......No 007

Our Man Flint is likeable. James Coburn is lacking the sophistication and suaveness that can only be the credentials of the one and only Sean Connery as James Bond. Coburn is good at what he does and he never lets anyone down. There is always plenty of action. It is not quite as intense as the car chases and death-defying stunts that James Bond not only attempts, but succeeds in making Spectre (007's bad guys) look and feel quite foolish. This is good entertainment. The language is bearable. Not a lot of advanced swear words. It is an appropriate length. Not a drawn out plot going nowhere situation. The clarity, color, and sound are amazing. I recently just purchased my first DVD/VCR and these three things really impress me. Although not as a polished as 007 it is still a very good movie. In the end the good guys win, and isn't that all we want anyway? February 25, 2006

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