When Eight Bells Toll

Author Alistair Maclean simultaneously wrote the novel and screenplay. I remember reading and enjoying the novel, but never got to see the movie. Until now. Typical of MacLean, there are unexpected plot twists and characters who are not what they seem.The plot concerns an investigation into the disappearance of ships carrying gold bullion off the coast of Scotland. Anthony Hopkins plays a British naval officer heading the investigation, who survives several attempts on his life and eventually exposes a piracy operation. Robert Morley adds a comedic element as his boss.The film is well acted and directed, and the location shooting on the rugged Scottish coast is spectacular. My one criticism is that the music is loud and intrusive, and should have been toned down. Otherwise, it is a very enjoyable movie, and I recommend it.

Having read a very glowing review here on Amazon and having loved The Guns of Navarone (Gregory Peck/David Niven/Bobby Daren/Anthony Quinn), I was strongly urged to find a copy of this film. Alas, only Region 2 copies existed that I could find. Then I got an E-mail from Amazon about forthcoming releases, and lo and behold this very flick is on display. And on Blu-ray, no less!Finally got around to watching this with my dad after awaiting its release for a while, and very glad I saw it. The film is indeed very Bond-like, and it doesn't do a bad job of it, with Hopkins giving a solid performance as a roguish investigative spy and Morley his superior (and Morley will make you think he's the inspiration for Vernon Dursley in so many ways).The location shots are really something, with great views of the Scottish coast (including some wonderful views of these impressive cliffs) and some castle scenes, and even a diving sequence into a sunken vessel.The action itself is solid, getting your attention right from the start with Hopkins infiltrating a ship via its anchor chain only to seemingly be caught. Was it just a training exercise? A betrayal? Or worse? You don't really think it's everything it may seem like until a key turn of events much later, but what happens in the first several minutes of the film are actually important clues. For an espionage film, Eight Bells knows how to work the system, and that's par for the course for Alistair MacLean.Overall, this is a must-see picture. It shows the earlier portion of an award-winning actor's career, was crafted by one of the best storytellers whose films I've seen, and it holds its own in a realm ruled by 007.Arguably the only weakness is a lack of extras: the Blu-ray contains only a series of trailers, for this film and several others (Juggernaut, The Satan Bug, The File of the Golden Goose). I assure you the transfer quality is superb, as expected of a Kino Lorber release.

I've been a fan of espionage films over the years, and I'm always seeking out ones that I've missed - both in their initial theatrical screenings and subsequent video releases. What gave me an additional interest in acquiring this video is that it's based on a novel by, and has a screenplay by one of my favorite authors, Alistair MacLean. I haven't yet read the original novel, and I can only imagine that it's an improvement upon this rather tepid spy thriller. To it's credit, KINO LORBER Video has given us an excellent HD restoration of this 1971 film. The movie is correctly shown in its original 2.35:1 Anamorphic presentation. The audio is very good and I'm happy with the look of the film. As to the content, that's a different story. The wonderful poster artwork on the case of the DVD is familiar to me when I saw the original poster years ago. I always thought , from initial viewing, that at some part of the film , there would be some volcanic explosion on an island with the hero and the girl escaping with their very lives while dangling from a rope ladder connected to a rising helicopter. SPOILERS : Upon viewing the film you find out: 1. There is no volcano, or an island involved. 2. There is a helicopter scene early on, but only upon which Anthony Hopkins is flying over an area searching for a hidden alcove or something… 3. There is no sexy, mini-skirted babe with a pistol helping out Anthony Hopkins - as a matter of fact, the main female costar is a rich, bored and generally useless character who you could care less what happens to her. Actually, considering the fact that she's connected with the bad guys and who's betrayal of our heroes and company puts them in great jeopardy, she should've been killed, but instead is is let go-with a bit of the treasure!- by a very lenient Anthony Hopkins. This last part was puzzling to me, but then no one asked me in the first place. There's many more inconsistencies in the story which I won't go into, but one last comment on this disappointing movie - the music score , by "Walter Stott" (aka sex-transgendered Angela Morley) is absolutely terrible. The music gets louder and soaring at the most inappropriate, mundane scenes in the movie. It makes me wonder if she/he even looked at the film that she/he was scoring or rather she/he just threw together a tape of music and send it off to the film producer to include in this uneven movie. All in all I can't recommend this video, unless you already seen it and have a particular affection for it. Again, I'd like to emphasize that the video of this film is done very well - perhaps too well, considering the source material.

A solid thriller from an excellent Alistair MacLean book, he also wrote the screenplay. An early outing for Anthony Hopkins, (with hair), who gives a good performance and the scenes with Robert Morley (played Oscar Wilde) as a pompous head of MI5; are very funny.This is a US import so you need a multi-region player (or a Region A player). If you have one it is well worth the import. It looks generally good, much better than my old DVD. My youngest son (17 years old) also enjoyed this version of it; -having already seen the DVD with his older brother.If you like your films, an investment in a good multi-region player is not a bad idea. The US has got so much more choice when it comes to Blu-ray's than we have. Are you a Hitchcock fan most of his film are available in the "Criterion" version. They cost a bit more, but no more than a trip to the cinema for 2 or 3 people. Treat yourselves.

This was a great 60’s action novel, and a good try as an action plot movie. It must be remembered that the plot is smaller in scale: the villains are pirates hijacking bullion from ships in the Outer Scottish northern isles. So nothing too grandiose a la 007.A very young Anthony Hopkins is no Sean Connery, but he is a good naval commando. The villains are ruthless, as they should be. No atomic weapons or secret agent equipment from Q branch. But it’s still good.I must say that I’m tired of Robert Morley, that large sized British actor who always plays the overweight “ always thinking of quality quantity eats” authority figure. Give me Dame Judy or Ralph Fiennes as M every day!Overall: the simplicity is a delightful early version of the action movie.

abit dated but alastair mclean writes good stories.

Anthony Hopkins in his younger days, trying to be James Bond - as in Sean Connery. Both are Commanders in Royal Navy, playing agents. Lots of fake machine gun sounds, acting is so-so and the story is not the best either.

A classic.

Movie not as good as it should have been. Disappointed.