The Poppy Is Also a Flower (1966)
I was aware that The Poppy Is Also a Flower (AKA Danger Grows Wild and a host of other titles) had a reputation as being cinematic oddity, but now having watched it, I would go further and say that it really is an utter mess of a film. Yet because of its movie pedigree both in front and behind the camera, it makes for morbidly fascinating viewing. The nuts and bolts of the plot certainly have legs; on paper at least. But the problems ultimately lie with the tonally inconsistent screenplay and the haphazard directing and editing. Despite the presence of Bond director Terence Young and a plethora of Hollywood stars from the time, the movie lurches from location to location, clumsily expediting the plot and extolling its anti-drug message with all the subtlety of a Rhinoceros horn up the backside. The score by Georges Auric sits uneasily with the on screen action and has been woefully integrated into the movie, quickly informing viewers that something is off about the entire production.
I was aware that The Poppy Is Also a Flower (AKA Danger Grows Wild and a host of other titles) had a reputation as being cinematic oddity, but now having watched it, I would go further and say that it really is an utter mess of a film. Yet because of its movie pedigree both in front and behind the camera, it makes for morbidly fascinating viewing. The nuts and bolts of the plot certainly have legs; on paper at least. But the problems ultimately lie with the tonally inconsistent screenplay and the haphazard directing and editing. Despite the presence of Bond director Terence Young and a plethora of Hollywood stars from the time, the movie lurches from location to location, clumsily expediting the plot and extolling its anti-drug message with all the subtlety of a Rhinoceros horn up the backside. The score by Georges Auric sits uneasily with the on screen action and has been woefully integrated into the movie, quickly informing viewers that something is off about the entire production.
The story begins with an undercover agent (Stephen Boyd) from the United Nations buying up the local opium harvest from a Nomadic Afghan Warlord. However, he is a captured and killed by the that crime syndicate that usually traffics the drug to Europe. The Iranian Army led by Colonel Salem (Yul Brynner) subsequently cross the border and irradiate the next opium shipment, so it can be tracked back to the cartel that distributes it. International Agents Sam Lincoln (Trevor Howard) and Coley Jones (E.G. Marshall) then follow the trail of the refined drugs through Italy, France and Monaco, encountering the victims it leaves in its wake. It soon becomes apparent that millionaire businessman Serge Marko (Gilbert Roland) is a major player in the drugs smuggling business, using his various companies as a front.
The Poppy Is Also a Flower was financed as part of a multi motion picture deal, designed to promote the varied work of the United Nations. Funding partly came via the Xerox company who had a reputation for being a big business with a social conscience who regularly supported philanthropic and moral endeavours. Due to the rectitude of the subject matter an extensive catalogue of international stars were recruited for a cavalcade of extended cameos. Allegedly the cast were paid just $1 each as their fee. Director Terence Young prematurely left filming Thunderball, leaving post production in the hands of Peter Hunt, so he could helm this high-profile project. The film was specifically designed for a TV release on the ABC network in the US, with a longer version produced for an international theatrical release. The theatrical print is currently available on DVD and video on demand.
Despite Terence Young’s track record for managing such international projects, the final results are choppy and lacking in focus. The initial story conceived by Ian Fleming, was then developed into a screenplay by Jo Eisinger. It lacks any major character development, due the extensive number of celebrity cameos. The nearest the story has to main protagonists are agents Lincoln and Jones. However, they seem somewhat miscast due to their respective ages at the time (both being in their mid-fifties). Despite the serious nature of the films central theme, these two agents regularly lapse into light hearted banter and settle decisions by rock, paper, scissors. It all seems at odds the ongoing sombre proceedings. Agents Lincolns amorous advances towards various female cast members also raises an eyebrow. Whenever the script tackles the issues of addiction and the iniquities of drugs, it is hardly nuanced in its approach. The dubbing also works against the English language version of the movie, with poor lip-syncing and questionable voice acting.
Considering the scope of the story with murderous drug gangs and the deprivations of addiction, The Poppy Is Also a Flower is quite restrained in what it shows. Most murders take place off screen and we are shown a few ravaged addicts in an Italian police station but nothing much else. The torture and murder of various agents, along with the consequences of heroin abuse are mainly talked about in government departments or in conference rooms. The marketing of the film focused very much upon the James Bond connection of Terence Young and Ian Fleming, but apart from the glossy European locations, the film lacks the slickness and dynamics of an 007 movie. The theatrical release features an oddly out of place female wrestling match in a sleazy nightclub and an extended (and excruciating) musical performance by Trini López at a gala charity event. The icing on the cake for this odd, misfire off a movie, is a fight scene on a train between Harold Sakata (best known as Odd job in Goldfinger) and a E.G. Marshall. It is rapidly edited to try and cover its incongruous nature and is more of a source of bemusement than excitement, which in many ways is a succinct distillation of The Poppy Is Also a Flower in its entirety.
James Bond Novels
I recently started reading fiction again after spending half a year focused upon academic subjects and ploughing my way through numerous non-fiction books. I’ve always been a fan of the Bond franchise so decided it was time to familiarise myself with Ian Flemings’ the source material. The results so far have proven to be quite surprising and not at all as I expected. I managed to purchase the first seven novels in the series from a second hand book shop and have so far completed five of them. I also have audio book version available of the all of Fleming’s stories should I need to consume them in such a fashion.
I recently started reading fiction again after spending half a year focused upon academic subjects and ploughing my way through numerous non-fiction books. I’ve always been a fan of the Bond franchise so decided it was time to familiarise myself with Ian Flemings’ the source material. The results so far have proven to be quite surprising and not at all as I expected. I managed to purchase the first seven novels in the series from a second hand book shop and have so far completed five of them. I also have audio book version available of the all of Fleming’s stories should I need to consume them in such a fashion.
One of the first things that stands out when reading Fleming’s novels, is how the books notably vary from the films. The stories are often quite minimalist and not especially as epic in scope as the movies. The content is often quite adult and very much reflects the mood and prevailing sensibilities of the times. Remember that Fleming created these books during the 1950s which were a particularly hard time for the United Kingdom. The country was virtually bankrupt and dealing with the demise of its Empire. America was in ascendancy, both politically and economically and the Cold War dominated international foreign policy.
The Bond franchise focuses of many things that would appeal to the reading public of the time; namely the glamour and opulence that was missing from their lives. Fleming is a master at describing exotic foreign travel, fine cuisine and “playboy” lifestyle. The depiction of sexual activity is quite candid for the times, although it betrays the patronising attitude prevalent to women during that era. There are also a lot of themes that will strike today’s reader as simply xenophobic and racist. Context in key in not allowing such elements to impair ones enjoyment..
“Casino Royale” and “Live And Let Die” are both fairly straight forward thrillers. The events are far from incredulous and the stories progress at a rapid pace. The use of violence is striking and well written. Bond being tortured by having his genitals beaten still has the power to shock. But it is not until “Moonraker” that the books truly hit their stride. The storylines have become a little more complex and you feel that this is the Bond that you remember. “Diamonds Are Forever” and “From Russia With Love” further demonstrate this. The style is very compelling and the characters are well defined. The locations and organisations that feature are meticulously researched. Fleming shows a knack for maintaining tension.
The modern spy or espionage novels owe a tremendous amount to the legacy of Ian Fleming. His own experiences in Naval Intelligence and as a journalist afforded him the ability to create credible and absorbing stories. His own personality trait, such as his penchant for women and the “bon viveur” lifestyle, permeates his writing. For British readers enduring the hardship of the post-war austerity years, he gave glimpses of the world beyond their shores and a lifestyle they could only dream of.
It may be difficult for modern readers to connect to the world in which Bond exists, as it is now removed by several generations. It lacks a lot of the technology that people now associate with the franchise due to the movies. The books also showcase a lot of social conventions and geo-political outlooks that contemporary audience may struggle to identify with. However for those who are prepared to look beyond these points, and embrace the culture of the times, Fleming work provides an intriguing insight into post-colonial Britain that has long gone. He also still offers robust and entertaining spy yarns, especially in the later novels.