Deep underground at the Sonderditch gold mine in South Africa, a team drills into rock and plants explosives. Something goes horribly wrong and the men are trapped under a cave-in. Underground Manager Rod Slater (Roger Moore) arrives at the mine and demands to know what has happened and why the mine's general manager was involved in the project; the general manager is administrative. King (Simon Sabela), a senior miner, was key in rescuing many of the injured. King and Slater bond during the crisis. Meanwhile, Director Steyner (Bradford Dillman) is nervous that his plot to flood the mine may be revealed. Manfred Steyner is married to Terry (Susannah York), who happens to be the granddaughter of Hurry Hirschfeld (Ray Milland), the owner of the mine. Oh, the tangled web!
The villains and their dastardly plot to flood the mine and thus raise the price of gold is revealed from the start. The movie shows how they plan to do it and whether it can be stopped. Moore is his usual charming self, though with a troubled backstory of brawling, college expulsion, an ex-wife who takes a third of his salary, and an illegitimate child that costs him as well. Of course, beyond hearing about these facts, none of it influences the rest of the movie. With his history of womanizing, his initial fling with Terry looked to be in character until it turned serious. Bradford Dillman is terrific as an oily executive, a role that he repeated in a couple of Dirty Harry films. That the character has an aversion to cigarette smoke and is constantly washing his hands was a great quirk. John Gielgud has a role as the chief conspirator, but is only seen in Europe or North America. Steyner is his agent in the field.
The first film that Roger Moore made after becoming James Bond (Live & Let Die - 1973). Of interest, Steven Spielberg was the first choice for director, but Moore vetoed the choice! Instead, Peter Hunt - who had directed On her Majesty's Secret Service - was selected.
A competent and enjoyable thriller and good popcorn fun.
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