Hammerhead (1968) User Reviews (28)

A Human Shark Avoids the Germs

[Bogmeister · 5/10 · 10 May 2008]

MASTER PLAN: obtain the info on some secret papers. By this point in the late sixties, some filmmakers were getting a little carried away with all the psychedelia and decadence of the decade, including a few who jumped on the James Bond bandwagon. The first scenes seem to say that the director & his crew were dropping acid during the filming, though it turns out to be some bizarre performance art depiction. We're also introduced to Mr. Hood here (Edwards), the secret agent of the story, looking on bemused. He fits the profile - an American but working well within the British & other European locales as a handsome man of adventure. He's not all that impressive, however: though able to handle himself well in a fight, he does get knocked out a couple of times quite easily (one of these fights, in a dark garage, recalls a similar scene in "Deadlier Than the Male" of the previous year). As the very British girl who keeps popping up unexpectedly throughout the movie, Judy Geeson is an acquired taste and can be a bit annoying; I didn't blame Hood for wincing the 3rd time she reappears. I also kept thinking, what is she doing in this movie? This sense didn't change much for me by the end of the film. Much of the action at the forefront of this film takes place against the backdrop of the youthful generation doing their thing during those swinging sixties.

The plot involves the machinations of the very Bondian uber-villain Hammerhead (Vaughan), complete with peculiar eccentricities, such as white gloves to keep the germs away and especially sadistic tendencies towards females. The actress Adams plays the more interesting female character, in a brief role. Oh, and, to make sure we understand that this bad guy is a sleaze, he also has interests in pornography. His dastardly plans are hinted at during Hood's briefing in a train cabin; there will be a special meeting of top men from NATO nations and one of these men has papers that Hammerhead wants a gander at, involving defense plans. This offers a good dual role for versatile actor Bates, who plays the target and one of Hammerhead's key henchmen. The film meanders a bit in the first half, even with the intriguing scenes on the villain's huge yacht, with everything moving at an easygoing pace, as if the filmmakers were unsure of themselves or the story. But, it does all come together in the final half-hour, when the details of the villain's subterfuge are played out (though why Hood and his girl aren't simply shot instead of that protracted scene in the coffin...never mind). Watch for Dave Prowse, soon to be in "A Clockwork Orange" and future Darth Vader, as the huge henchman - the strongest man Hammerhead knows. The climactic action, especially the unexpected end of the villain, will either irritate or enthrall you, depending on how much you like darkly ironic, satirical endings. I thought it was a bit out of left field. Hero:5 Villains:5 Femme Fatales:5 Henchmen:6 Fights:6 Stunts/Chases:5 Gadgets:4 Auto:5 Locations:6 Pace:5 overall:5+

Eccentric low-key Bond imitation

[wilvram · 5/10 · 7 May 2020]

Hammerhead is a strange mixture, blending a determination to be bang up-to-the-minute with the trends of 1967/68 with a routine espionage story. A series of bizarre 'Happenings' and weird performance art, together with Judy Geeson's groovy young thing, the latter the highlight of the movie for me, hardly fail to disguise the kind of plot that had been churned out ad infinitum on TV. Vince Edwards is perhaps best described as adequate in the lead; he's OK but not particularly memorable. Peter Vaughan was born to play a super-villain, but his Hammerhead must have been on the screen for all of ten minutes. He doesn't even get to fight the hero and his demise is pretty nondescript. Neither William Mervyn nor Patrick Cargill, excellent character players both, are seen at their best, though Diana Dors is in her element as the proprietor of a dubious nightclub. The finale with Michael Bates in a dual role tends to drag on.

I really enjoyed the last 30 minutes

[bensonmum2 · 6/10 · 11 July 2017]

The governmental powers that be are concerned that a man known as Hammerhead (Peter Vaughn) will try to steal NATO secrets at an upcoming meeting. They also know that Hammerhead is an avid collector of pornography. To learn more about his plans and to get close to him, Agent Charles Hood (Vince Edwards) poses as a dealer with a large collection for sale. Complicating matters for Hood, he's picked up something of a hanger-on in the form of swinging Sue Trenton (Judy Geeson).

Hammerhead is another of those movie that I really wanted to love. It's not that the whole movie is a complete waste, but it only comes close to fulfilling its promise in the final 30 minutes. The ending is really enjoyable, fast-paced, and exciting. The chase scenes through the crowded Lisbon (I'm assuming it was Lisbon) streets is nicely filmed. Had the whole thing been that entertaining, Hammerhead might have launched another spy series. Unfortunately, Hammerhead is a 90+ minute movie. You have to sit through 60 lifeless, boring minutes to get to the good stuff. There are a couple of problems I'll cite. First, the plot is unnecessarily muddy at the beginning of the film. I'm guessing the filmmakers wanted to save a surprise or two, but how about giving the viewer a clue as to what's going on? Second, Vince Edwards might have been a decent enough actor, but he's not my image of a secret agent. His Hood is just too dull to pull off the lead.

Despite the flaws, overall, I enjoyed Hammerhead. Other than the exciting third act I've already written about, there are a couple of performances worth mentioning. Vaughn makes a wonderful villain. Like all good baddies, he's ruthless when he has a henchman or two around, but turns coward when he's alone. I also got a kick out of the white glove idiosyncrasy. Nice touch. Unlike some other comments I've read on Hammerhead, I really enjoyed Judy Geeson's performance. Yeah, she's annoying at times, but she's meant to be. Her character gives the film a nice 60s vibe that always appeals to me.

Groovy Sixties flick and one of my favorite LPs

[enterplan · 3 October 2003]

Like the first commenter, I discovered "Hammerhead" via the score LP in the 1970s. CBS-TV in the US used to show a heavily-edited version regularly; later, an uncut print was seen locally. (It was also spotted on cable during the 1980s.) It's a neat movie, with some good chase scenes (one involving a large hearse). The "Chelsea Happening" music accompanies an interesting performance-art show that was typical of the era. Judy Geeson's character manages to be both kooky and sexy as she and Vince Edwards scoot all over Europe in search of Hammerhead.

Note: the music on the LP is a different recording from that in the movie; the arrangements are, however, pretty much identical. The score rather predictably conforms to visual action: for example, those five rhythmic "hits" near the end of "Villa Fight" are cut to Charles Hood slamming a car door on someone's hand! This actually bolsters the charm of this picture.

Any chance to see "Hammerhead" should be seized upon!!

Sleepyhead more like it...

[djb896328 · 3/10 · 30 September 2011]

For years I thought Victor Mature was the most uncharismatic, untalented actor to have ever managed to succeed in Hollywood, but now, ladies and gents, I stand corrected. That dishonor must go to the, er, "star" of Hammerhead, Mr Vince Edwards. In short, he's an utter bore. As is the movie. But my God, is he dreadful. His face is like a catcher's mitt, just expressionless throughout the whole movie. His voice is one note of droning monotony and as for his physical presence, well, I suspect most of the action was performed by a double as they consisted mostly of suspicious close ups of legs and arms being thrust in the direction of bad guys without ol' Vince's hammerface in the shot.

Won't bother with the plot, critique the direction or soundtrack ... sufficed to say it all pretty much stinks.

I'm a massive spy movie fan - seen 'em all pretty much - especially the 60s adventure ones, and I must say this movie is easily one of the worst. Even the mostly incomprehensible Italian stuff of the same era is a lot more fun and watchable than this rubbish.

The only good thing from Hammerhead are the girls. Plenty of them and all pretty.

Yet another Bond-wannabe that is ALMOST good...almost.

[planktonrules · 3/10 · 14 February 2016]

I think with a bit better script, this could have been a pretty good spy film. As it is, I can see why Vince Edwards never went on to be the next Bond!

Edwards plays Charles Hood--an international man of adventure who is called upon to, what else, save the world from a baddie. The big difference is that Mr. Hammerhead is also a pervert with a taste for good old fashioned. The problem is exactly WHAT Hammerhead's plan is going to be is anyone's guess and through the course of the film, Hood puts the pieces together but almost gets killed in the process. Along the way, he's teamed up with one of the most annoying women in spy film history, a kooky idiot named Sue (Judy Geeson).

So why wasn't I thrilled with this film? The biggest reason was Geeson's character who was just annoying and made little sense. Additionally, nothing about the movie otherwise is outstanding--not Edwards, the script or the direction. The only standout, really, is the nice Portuguese location for the shoot.

Dreadful

[Derekflint-726-995720 · 1/10 · 30 June 2013]

Made at the height of the spy movie craze, Hammerhead commits the worst sin of all in the movie trade - it's monotonous. I enjoy an entertaining bad movie as much as the next, but a boring bad movie is unforgivable and forgettable. So why am I writing this review, you may ask? Because I'm a nice guy and I'm doing this as a public service. If you're a hard-core James Bond/spy movie fanatic like me, you HAVE to see every release that came out during that period. It's inevitable that you're going to track this one down. Don't say I didn't warn you.

Oh, I'm sorry-I forgot to mention the plot. Vince Edwards, who some of us remember. on TV as Dr. Ben Casey, doffs his O.R. scrubs and puts on his suit and tie to become... Well, that's the beauty of this incomprehensible film. When you watching you're not exactly sure what he's supposed to be. One minute he says he's an international jewel thief, the next minute, perky Brit flower child Judy Geeson accuses him of being a spy. Even though you never really find out what he is, by the end of the movie, you don't really care. From the beginning to the end, this piece of crap keeps going back and forth to scenes of "Flower power children", dancing in the streets, dancing on top of boats, dancing on top of cars, dancing up on stage...well you get the idea. Maybe if you take some hallucinogens, this movie will really be enjoyable for you. When I think of "dated" movies, I think some of the worst ones come from the "psychedelic age". This movie smells like stale pot. I recommend avoid at all costs.

Hoodwinked

[richardchatten · 6/10 · 25 February 2023]

As if the films of David Miller weren't already tough enough to fathom, his name appears on this, the sort of glossy nonsense that brought British cinema to it's knees in the late sixties.

Calling this film 'Hammerhead' is like calling a Bond film 'Blofeld' since the title refers to villain Peter Vaughan, described as "a completely evil man" who "deals in human depravity".

TV star Vince Edwards (who shows his prowess as a spy by admiringly attributing a room full of obvious copies to painters like Modigliani and Rubens and being told a man is a former jockey opines "a little man?") inhabits a world of yachts and glamour girls (including Judy Geeson as a nightclub singer - obviously dubbed - called Sue Trenton who considers teabags a "nasty American custom".

Any resemblance to the Matt Helm films is further confirmed by the presence of Beverly Addams who'd played Lovey Kravitz.

A long way from James Bond...more like a milder version of Matt Helm

[moonspinner55 · 3/10 · 11 June 2017]

American agent Charles Hood needs to stop international criminal Hammerhead from stealing a secret report on nuclear defense. British production has cheeky asides and a bouncy score from David Whitaker--as well as a curious obsession with erotic art!--but is so mild it barely makes an impression. Adaptation of the spy novel by James Mayo (aka Stephen Coulter) opens with a garish hippie happening in London that is liable to scare away the film's target audience. In the lead, Vince Edwards seems a little sheepish; he fills the bill but lacks the punchy personality to make Hood a three-dimensional hero. *1/2 from ****

Never has the Swinging Sixties seem so sordid

[tymbus · 7/10 · 18 August 2019]

NAILED IT!

Despite having bought a ticket for Quentin Tarantino's new movie, I felt out of sorts and decided to veg out watching TV which is how I came to see Tarantino Presents The Swing Sixties on Movies4men and, more importantly, that night's pick, Hammerhead, a film that I had not seen since I was 13 .

Hammerhead is a British spy thriller, 'Hammerhead' being the name of the villain and the title of the first book in a series featuring the art loving adventurer Mr Hood written by Stephen Coultier under the pen name James Mayo. I first saw the movie by accident when I went to see 'No Sex Please, We're British' with my class mates for my thirteenth birthday. My parents were not wise in the ways of cinema and my Mother, who was chaperoning us, was blissfully unaware that 'Hammerhead' would be shown as a 'b' feature.

To say that 'Hammerhead' came as a shock is an understatement. Even today, the film received a rating of 15 and Tarantino noted that it was the most controversial film in his selection. All I remembered was that one scene was so scary that the even the class thug ended up holding my mother's hand.It turned out that scene was the film's opening which features a 'happening' or piece of performance art featuring the exploding or melting heads of wax work women, nude cellists and a police raid.

The rest of 'Hammerhead' is barely comprehensible. In tone the film is an Austin Powers's adventure filmed with the sensibility of an episode of the hard boiled British series 'Callan'' , although a big budget version of the Sixties TV series 'The Saint' might be the closest comparison. Anyway, the film's narrative is rambling to the point of incoherence, although not so bad as other films of its ilk such as Puppet on a Chain or the Eiger Sanction.

The film does contain a veritable whose who of British action series including the marvelously villainous Peter Vaughan as Mr Hammerhead, Patrick Cargill, David Prowse as Hammerhead's enforcer and a ride-on part for Kenneth Cope of Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) as an un-named 'motorcyclist'. The female cast is also top-notch Sixties: Judy Gleeson plays a good girl mixed up in the whole mess while Diana Dors provides God tier slutty menace as Kit, the madam of a brothel.

Special mention should be made of Beverly Adams, the star of 'How to Stuff a Wild Bikini', wife of Vidal Sasoon who she met while filming 'The Torture Garden'. Adams plays Ivory, Hammerhead's reluctant squeeze and eventual doom in a clever but out of nowhere climax. Adams spends most of the movie acting as if her character were on some kind of amazing drug.

Halfway through the TV screening, Tarantino pops up to discuss why the protagonist Mr Hood let's the film down. Hood was played by Vince Edwards star of Ben Casey, but makes zero impression on the Big Screen. Tarantino gleefully points to Hood's terrible dress sense. Where Gleeson's clothes are on-trend Carnaby Street, Edward's costume is a hopelessly mis-matching blazer and trousers and, shock, a short sleeved shirt. Tarantin observed that the shirt alone made Hood look like a post office worker rather than a suave art collector and suggested there might have been many sequels if only they had cast someone like Robert Culp in the central role.

My theory is that the British production actually despised its American star. I thought this right from the moment Hood makes tea for Geeson. After a dramatic close-up on a tea bag, she dismisses dismisses tea bags as a "nasty American habit". When Geeson learns of Mr Hoods true vocation, she utterly contemptuous, "Oh God you're a spy! I was hoping you rally were an international jewelry thief".

Despite all that's wrong about 'Hammerhead' somewhere buried among the beautiful Portuguese locations, the hard core violence and the absurdly beautiful eye candy there actually is an intelligent sub-text. The film is a very Sixties celebration of bodily pleasure in the face of an up-tight establishment. Mr Hammerhead's belief that the Art establishment should not cover-up the sensual, erotic nature of female nudes chimes with the counter-culture's rejection of arid intellectualism and Establishment norms. The film underlines its message with a climax that inter-cuts a formal piano recital with another 'happening' on the beach.

Moderately amusing, but no ball of fire.

[Hey_Sweden · 5/10 · 30 May 2022]

The spy genre popularized by the James Bond series certainly gave fruit to a lot of attempts worldwide to play in the same sandbox. This British effort (with an American star) isn't anything great, but at least it is largely played tongue-in-cheek (while firmly dating itself as a 1960s piece), and ought to earn some smiles, or chuckles, if few real belly laughs. Vince Edwards plays Charles Hood, a special agent trying to get the goods on the title master criminal (played by top British character actor Peter Vaughan). This he does by using the cover of selling the man vintage pornography! As he gamely goes on his mission, Hood keeps encountering Sue Trenton, a jovial young lady played by the lovely Judy Geeson.

"Hammerhead" does ultimately get a little tiresome, and goes on a bit too long, but there ARE some pleasures to be had. Chief among them are the very sexy ladies on hand (also including Diana Dors as Kit, Beverly Adams as Ivory, Tracy Reed as Miss Hull, and Veronica Carlson as Ulla). The film is likewise attractively photographed by Wilkie Cooper & Kenneth Talbot, and is partly shot in picturesque Portugal. Vaughan is fun as a bad guy who knows how to make an entrance, Edwards is amiable as the hero, and the enticing Ms. Geeson is a lively leading lady (although some people might find her effervescent personality a bit much). They're supported by some excellent British actors, with Michael Bates standing out in a dual role. And that's David "Darth Vader" Prowse in the small role of Hammerheads' young muscleman. This viewers' favorite sequence involves Hood & Sue being trapped inside a coffin, on their way to certain doom (bad guys in these types of stories so often rarely kill the good guys when it is most advantageous to do so). They catch the attention of a young motorcyclist (Kenneth Cope) whose reactions are hysterical.

Decently guided by the American director David Miller ("The Opposite Sex", "Lonely Are the Brave"), this moves along adequately, doling out some entertaining action sequences while accompanied by a jaunty music score by David Whitaker. The oddest touch is the performance art playing out alongside the opening credits, presided over by an eccentric artist (Douglas Wilmer).

Five out of 10.

Hammerhead is one of the better spy films of the 60's post-Bond explosion.

[ekilbane007 · 9/10 · 14 March 2010]

"Hammerhead" fit very nicely into the 60's/70's explosion of spy flicks which were rushed into theaters following the success of James Bond. It was less humorous and over-the-top than either the Matt Helm or Derek Flint series, but less dark than the Harry Palmer films. It was a solid blend of humor and action and stands as one of the best productions of the era.

Vince Edwards did quite a very respectable job as Charles Hood, handling himself exceptionally well in the action sequences, making a credible two-fisted action hero. Peter Vaughn was excellent as the eccentric title villain and I have a memory of a very well done chase sequence with Edwards and a motorcycle that sticks in my mind. Judy Geeson as Hood's romantic interest, while cute and 60's groovy, was incredibly weak and was the film's major drawback, much like a large number of the Bond Girls of the Roger Moore era.

"Hammerhead" was based on the Charles Hood spy novel by Steven Coulter, writing as James Mayo. Coulter/Mayo was a friend and contemporary of Ian Fleming and even helped Fleming with the background material for CASINO ROYALE. Coulter finished five spy novels in the Hood series. They are actually quite good and it's a shame that Irving Allen only made one Charles Hood film. I recommend the novels as well if you can find any of them in print anymore.

I saw "Hammerhead" in the theater when it was first released and then remember seeing an edited version on TV some time later. Although it's been a very long time since I've seen "Hammerhead", I have very fond memories of it and would love to see a DVD release of it in the future.

I recommend "Hammerhead" as one of the better spy adventures of the 60's.

SOMETIMES SILLY...SOMETIMES FUN...SLICK SPY SPOOF...LOVE/HATE APPEAL

[LeonLouisRicci · 6/10 · 9 September 2021]

The James Bond Series of Films, the Longest Continuation in History, was a "Sixties" Invention.

Now, Die-Hard Fans "Take a Deep Breath"...The Body of Work as a Whole does Not Hold Up all that well.

With Exceptions for sure, there is a lot of Mediocrity with some Great and some, let's just say Not So Great when Viewed Today Objectively and Without Nostalgia.

The Bond Mega-Success Spawned Much to Answer for. Spin-Offs that Range from Clever to "WTF?".

Many Types Varying in Scope, Budget, and Talent. Film as well as its Baby-Brother "TV" were Ablaze with "Secret Agent" Mania.

Here We have a Feature Film with a Half and Half Approach.

Spoof and Parody along with some Intrigue and Genuine and Unfettered Mimicry with Gimmickry making an Appearance if Not on a Grand Scale.

That Became one of the Bond Series Iffy "Evolution" where the Producers and Filmmakers got a Bit "Big For Their Britches". Mostly in the "Roger Moore" Movies.

Vince Edwards seems somewhat Miscast. A Former Handsome Body Builder who made His Mark as TV's Ben Casey had a Pleasant if Limited Screen Presence.

He doesn't even Try and Stretch as "Hood" the Bondish Persona only Hinted at. Edwards Amiably goes through the motions with mostly a Smirk.

The Supporting Cast is Highlighted by a Spunky "Mod" Bond-Girl (Judy Geeson). She is (like the movie) a Love/Hate Affair. Her Performance is so Over the Top, but Having Fun, and Signals what the Tone of the Film is All About.

Some Appeal can be Had at the Hands of Middle Class Hippies and Their "Experimenting" with Art and Fashion. Something that Rarely Approaches Verisimilitude in a Movie.

It's a Loud, Brash, Colorful Attempt and Fans are Straight Down the Middle...

Yep, They either Love it...or Hate it.

Got a Mind...Don't Waste it...You Decide.

Old boy

[bbjzilla · 5/10 · 26 February 2023]

Zany spy caper with an American James Bond and an assortment of British b-movie stars.

It's bookended by two crazy freak out style montages of hippie youths doing dangerous antisocial things like dancing and taking off their clothes which the cops put a stop to, but it neatly introduces Judy Geeson who repeatedly shows up in each change of location so often I was convinced she would be revealed as some sort of British intelligence operative masquerading as a nymphomaniacal socialite junkie, stealing every scene she's in by giggling and pouting. Her omnipresence is so remarkable she is the mugaffin.

The rest of it was something about missiles and piano recitals and scenes of torture, the victim of which gets moved around almost as often as Judy Geeson but happily delivers his expository dialogue before expiring giving necessary depth to the hapless stooge before killing off everyone else without worrying about the ethical quandary.

Sadly it's neither funny enough to be a spoof nor serious enough to be a thriller. The violence/ action scenes are a bit unnecessary and the diabolical masterplan seems too fantastic and risky to be plausible. Happily there was no secret underground lair but there were henchmen wearing stripy T-shirts.

A host of familiar faces play small roles including David Prowse, Diana Dors, Kenneth Cope and Veronica Carlson and there's a bit of humour involving a hearse chase but like the diegetic theme song which appears at least 3 times including the hippy dance at the end, it's highly derivative and repetitive. Our man Hood in one scene names the artists of various paintings to demonstrate his cultivation; but does it so many times in succession the he ceases to resemble a gentleman and turns into a tour guide.

Like the crazy kid/ stoner at the end, lowering his caged self into the bay water while everyone dances; it all seems kind of random, dangerous and stupid and someone really should put a stop to it.

would like to see it again

[graywyvern · 9 February 2002]

i loved this when i saw it on tv umpteen years ago. as i remember it, it was among the more stylish of Bond ripoffs; & of course, tres-60's. but the only image that sticks with me (SPOILER ALERT) is a scene of mass dancing on the beach, while the timer ticks down that will destroy the world. and it does...

Ben Casey: Secret Agent?

[bsmith5552 · 5/10 · 18 August 2019]

"Hammerhead" is a real stinker. In the era of superspies this one doesn't fare well. To begin with the producers cast a rather dull expressionless Vince Edwards in the lead role of Charles Hood. Edwards had made his name playing Dr. Ben Casey on TV. The co-starred him with a rather loopy Judy Geeson as a 60s type hippie with a high pitched (and annoying) voice. Wait for the night club sequence where she suddenly bursts into a Shirley Bassey type song.

The "plot" has agent Hood trying to contact an international crook known as Hammerhead (Peter Vaughn) who is suspected of trying to steal NATO defense secrets. As a cover, Hood is bringing pornographic materials to Hammerhead for sale. You see Hammerhead collects such things. We are treated to his collection of semi-pornographic art from world famed artists. (Best part of the picture).

Anyway, Hood meets Hammerhead aboard his yacht. Interesting enough Hammerhead has hooked up with, you guessed it, Sweet Sue. Go figure. How would a worldly man such as Hammerhead hook up with such an airhead in the first place. Hammerhead goes ashore to arrange the theft of the aforementioned NATO secrets through a switching of identities between a Sir Richard and an impressionist named Andrews (both played by Michael Bates).

Hood of course, pursues Hammerhead. In a nightclub he sees Andrews and we meet the charming Kit (Diana Dors) who it turns out is another of Hammerhead's "ladies". It's here that we see Sue suddenly emerge as a musical songstress with a deep voice. The documents are stolen and Hammerhead flees but......................................................................

Others in the cast are Beverly Adams as Ivory who tries to seduce Hood aboard the yacht and Patrick Cargill as Condor, Hood's superior. The opening sequence has to be seen to be believed. The finale is equally over the top.

Dreadful movie.

I turned it off 3 times

[dvinzan1 · 1/10 · 19 September 2002]

This has to be one of the worst movies I have ever seen. I watched it on television years ago, my wife and I have used it as a standard for the worst ever sense. It was so bad, I turned it off, thought maybe it would get better, turned it back on, three times. Even the music was terrible. HammmmmmmmmmmmmmerHead, still rings in my ears.

Judy Geeson vs wet paper bag

[milliefan · 2/10 · 4 September 2015]

The other reviews are pretty spot-on in assessing this as utter drek, but oddly nobody has mentioned the ludicrous scene in which Judy Geeson - worst actress of 1968 without a doubt - suddenly bursts into song. After a good hour (which seems like a lifetime) of Geeson's high pitched, twelve year old schoolgirl voice, she appears in a nightclub 'singing', only her voice has been dubbed by a Madeline Bell soundalike (for those who aren't familiar with Miss Bell, she is a husky voiced jazz singer of the Shirley Bassey type). A more unsuitable voice double for Judy Geeson would be hard to imagine! The only plus in the entire film is the great Diana Dors, injecting interest and style into a project sadly lacking in both departments.

A film that can't make it's mind up

[adrienneenterprises · 6/10 · 26 February 2023]

I like to think I have seen every film of the James Bond genre, but this hidden gem turned up on Satelite TV the other day. From the start it wants to cash in on James Bond, right down to the music, but then the music becomes more pop/psych/flower power. In the middle section it sags and you wonder whether you would be better watching something else. Then it picks up with a car chase, and the plot gets more interesting. But here is where it gets weird, they all go down to the harbour and it looks like Roman & Martin outside or a Beach Movie. At the end, the bad guy is killed and the hero gets the girl, but you wonder what you have just watched and how it ever got released. Worth watching once for its kitsch value, but once watched its then deleted from my recorder.

Dated, and not in a good way

[Leofwine_draca · 4/10 · 25 August 2019]

I'm another one who watched this film on UK television as part of a '60s season tying in with the release of Tarantino's ONCE UPON A TIME... IN HOLLYWOOD. Tarantino champions it, but I'm afraid I don't see what the fuss is about. This is a typical kind of Bond rip-off, mired in '60s excess and some very silly and dated moments. The mannequin-smashing opening sequence is so overbearing that you almost feel like turning off, and if you persevere you end up in a typical story about a secret agent versus a criminal mastermind. The film does have some solid action sequences to recommend it, but they're outweighed by endless sexy dance scenes and Judy Geeson being annoyingly girlish (why this was amusing in the '60s I have no idea). Vince Edwards made his mark in Kubrick's THE KILLING but he seems ill at ease here, although Peter Vaughan is good value as the villain of the piece.

Do the plots of these films ever really matter?

[mark.waltz · 6/10 · 24 February 2024]

All that really counts is the grooviness, whether the oddball 60's outfits, hard as stone sprayed women's hair, gorgeous location footage, hip music, overly sexed men and amorous women, some using that with deadly intentions. The basic plot involves the determination to find and stop the title character, an evil one with their eyes on nuclear weapons. I found that there were far too many characters popping in and out, and after a while too much work to remember who is who.

The weirdness is apparent when two characters are trapped in a casket covered in gold, being driven by a gold crested van. Vince Edwards is an American "soldier of fortune" whom British intelligence asks for help in unmasking and stopping Hammerhead. I guess James Bond was busy, and Matt Helm not available, or some of the others turning in the many spy/international crime thrillers of the time.

Diana Dors, Beverly Adams, Judy Geeson, Tracy Reed and veteran actress Kathleen Byron are the bevy of beauties who pop up in this film, with Peter Vaughan a dapper heavy. The Portuguese location shooting is marvelously photogenic, and producer Irwin Allen and director David Miller give it a gloriously energetic pacing. Chase sequences with shootouts on narrow ancient roads, glamorous cabaret segments and sardonic comedy makes the confusion more tolerable.

Doesn't make it

[Tak005 · 3/10 · 21 August 2019]

I have just heard Quentin Tarantino give this film a good review, but I'm sorry I can't agree. It is just another B grade 60's spy genre film. It also appears to be another failed attempt by Hollywood to create an American James Bond but it doesn't make the grade. Edwards acting is wooden and unsuitable for the role, and the supporting casts acting is poor. Overall the movie doesn't have the style of Bond, nor the grit of Harry Palmer. But it's a bit of fun to watch

"Dig that crazy Valentine!"

[ShadeGrenade · 8/10 · 11 June 2010]

'Hammerhead' was a late addition to the seemingly endless cycle of James Bond imitations that swamped cinemas in the mid-'60's. Based on a novel by James Mayo, it stars Vince Edwards as American agent 'Charles Hood', who is assigned by Colonel Condor ( Patrick Cargill ) of British Intelligence to investigate the activities of evil millionaire Mr.Hammerhead ( Peter Vaughan ). Hood travels to Lisbon with a crate of pornography ( Hammerhead is fascinated by the stuff ) which he hopes to sell to the arch-villain. Getting in his way at all times is lovely model Sue Trenton ( Judy Geeson ). Hammerhead has a palatial villa and a yacht called 'Triton'. One of his staff, Andreas ( Michael Bates ) is training to impersonate Sir Richard Calvert ( also played by Bates ) with a view to infiltrating a meeting of NATO chiefs of staff and photographing a top secret report into Western defense.

What distinguishes it from the Bond series - and indeed so many other similar films - are the squirts of hippie atmosphere that book-end the movie. 'Hood' is a colourless character, but Edwards makes a decent fist of it. Peter Vaughan enjoys himself hugely as the titular villain ( 'Espiritu Lobar' in the book ), a sort of cross between 'Auric Goldfinger' and Howard Hughes. Michael Bates is especially good, and Diana Dors and Beverly Adams add to the glamour. Strangely, despite all the beautiful girls around, Hood does not get to bed any of them ( though its hinted he and Sue will be heading for bed as the end credits roll ). William Mervyn, known mainly for comedy roles ( such as in 'All Gas & Gaiters' ), plays one of Hammerhead's men, and Dave 'Darth Vader' Prowse is a super-strong henchman.

Irving Allen, the producer, was also responsible for the 'Matt Helm' series starring Dean Martin. While I liked this movie better than the last three Helm pictures, it did not quite come up to the standard of the first - 'The Silencers'.

In the action stakes the movie is okay but not particularly outstanding. The Triton yacht is so impressive I was looking forward to seeing it blown up at the end, but it does not happen. Neither does Hood get to fight the Prowse character. The villains have a few gadgets, such a lipstick radio and a tape recorder in a matchbox, but Hood has none! Some good fights though, and a couple of exciting chases through the back alleys of Lisbon. There is one hilarious moment when Hood and Sue, trapped in a coffin, try to summon help from a passing motorcyclist ( Kenneth Cope ). As soon as he sees them, he keels over from shock!

Hood made no further appearances on the big screen, which is kind of a pity as the next two books in the series - 'Let Sleeping Girls Lie' and 'Shamelady' - would have in my view made good movies.

Hammerhead? See this, you'll think somebody did?

[Tony-Holmes · 3/10 · 19 May 2023]

Saw this on the Talking Pictures channel - UK, old films and TV shows. They show a lot of good stuff from yesteryear, but sadly included in that is quite a bit of dross - though I suppose some viewers will see that and mark it up for nostalgia value?

This one may count for nostalgia, but I'd say neuralgia is a more logical reaction.

As other reviews have said, lots of spoof Bond films came out in the 60s and 70s, mostly with a comic element, mostly I suppose quite good fun if seen after you'd been to the pub. Don't include in that grouping the dark and brooding films like Funeral in Berlin, Spy who came in from the cold, etc, no parody elements there!

This one had an American agent hero (from a US medical series), comic villain Peter Vaughan, and lots of Btitish stars like Michael Bated (Last of the Summer Wine), Diana Dors, Patrick Cargill, Dave Prowse (became Darth Vader), and Judy Geeson to please any teenage guys watching, fluttering her eyelashes, smile, legs, and where possible knickers.

The plot involved some secret papers, and an agent who was (such luck) the double of a scientist, used to try and steal them. I say 'plot', the story could have been dreamed up in a pub one night, after a couple of dodgy pints, with a lot of toing and froing around quite pretty Portuguese scenes, augmented by a few flower-power extras and Peter Vaughan wanting world domination (this before he was a powerful support in classic comedy sit-com Porridge).

I marked the film 3 out of 10 -- it was harmless enough, but on balance you needn't waste time with it.

Love the soundtrack

[imp1983 · 16 March 2003]

While I have not seen the Hammerhead movie, I do have the soundtrack album.

I ended up ordering it by mistake about 25 years ago, and when I got it, I opened it anyway as I collect soundtracks, and had never heard of the movie Hammerhead.

There is a catchy theme song, and some cool chase music, as well as other tunes, and even a Hammerhead 'concerto' on the record.

If this movie ever comes out on video, I would like to see it in order to associate the music with the scenes.

The music is typical of the 60s and is very light-hearted and fun to listen to.