Dark of the Sun (1968)

Directed by Jack Cardiff. Starring Rod Taylor, Jim Brown, Peter Carsten, Yvette Mimieux, Kenneth More, André Morell, Bloke Modisane, Olivier Despax, Guy Deghy.

Mercenaries on a mission to save millions of dollars’ worth of diamonds from a Congolese mining operation under threat by rampaging rebels. Unusually mean and violent action film feeds off lowbrow stereotypes (the local populations, “helpless” women, an ex-Nazi cohort who predictably goes bad, etc.) and offers little of substance to hold interest between the scenes of carnage and macho posturing. However, its visceral impact is not to be overlooked, and the savagery of several sequences (including a lengthy and merciless climactic fight) manufactures a form of volcanic rage rarely seen coming out of a major studio during its era. Taylor and Brown are well-cast as blunt, no-nonsense tough guys, and Carsten makes for a sadistic heavy. Glossy, adventurous score by jazz pianist Jacques Loussier. Co-writer Ranald MacDougall went credited as “Quentin Werty”. Also known as The Mercenaries.