Dark of the Sun

1968

Action / Adventure / Drama / Thriller / War

12
Rotten Tomatoes Critics - Rotten 75% · 6 reviews
Rotten Tomatoes Audience - Upright 75% · 250 ratings
IMDb Rating 6.8/10 10 3860 3.9K

based on novel or book congo mercenary heist chainsaw

Plot summary

A band of mercenaries led by Captain Curry travel through war-torn Congo across deadly terrain, battling rival armies, to steal $50 million in uncut diamonds. But infighting, sadistic rebels and a time lock jeopardize everything.

Director

Jack Cardiff Photo
Jack Cardiff

Top cast

Rod Taylor Photo
Rod Taylor as Capt. Bruce Curry
Kenneth More Photo
Kenneth More as Doctor Wreid
Jim Brown Photo
Jim Brown as Sgt. Ruffo
Yvette Mimieux Photo
Yvette Mimieux as Claire
720p.BluRay 1080p.BluRay
837.14 MB
1280*544
English 2.0
NR
Subtitles us  
23.976 fps
1 hr 40 min
Seeds 4
1.59 GB
1920*816
English 2.0
NR
Subtitles us  
23.976 fps
1 hr 40 min
Seeds 22

Movie Reviews

Reviewed by ma-cortes 7 / 10

Spectacular and violent motion picture about African wars and intervention of avaricious mercenaries

This Africa-set picture concerns about some mercenaries (Rod Taylor, Jim Brown and Peter Carsten) hired by a Congo leader (Calvin Lockhart) to retrieve diamonds from a besieged city by the Simbas . As the movie's MacGuffin is a cache of uncut diamonds valued at US $50 million . They risk their lives facing off nasties and rebel warriors ; confronting several dangers and adventures . Besides , they must help out various inhabitants (Ivette Mimieux , Andre Morrell and others) lay siege and only backed by a boozer doctor (Kenneth Moore). Meanwhile , a locomotive travels through a treacherous countryside in Africa taking on a lot of risks . The movie is based on real events and dealing with a train-in-peril across hostile landscapes . From start to finish the exciting warlike action is nonstop . In the movie there is tension , suspense , emotion , frenetic action and a little bit of violence when the fights happen ; besides , being fast movement , for that reason results to be entertaining . The movie was made and released about three years after its source novel "Dark of the Sun" by Wilbur Smith had been first published in 1965 . The book was Smith's second novel with this film being the first ever screen adaptation of a Wilbur Smith story and being adapted by screen-writer Ranald MacDougall . Based on historical facts ; thus , creating the independence Republic Congo (1960) with Lumumba , though later there took place a state coup by Mobutu Sese Seko . Tshombe proclaimed the Republic Katanga with the supporting of mercenaries , mine companies and European countries . The civil war bursts and causes destruction , starvation , rampage and millions of deaths . In fact , publicity for this picture declared that it was the first major motion picture to examine the Congo Rebellion which is aka the Congo Crisis aka the Congo Uprising .Rod Taylor as the tough and two-fisted mercenary is top-notch . However , Clint Walker was the early choice for the lead Captain Bruce Curry role which in the end was cast with Rod Taylor . Ivette Mimieux is enticing and marvelous . This movie re-unites Rod Taylor with Yvette Mimieux eight years after they co-starred in 1960's "The Time Machine" . Furthermore , Jim Brown as the loyal and hunk pal is splendid and agreeable appearance by Kenneth Moore as drunken doctor . Special mention for Peter Carsten who interprets a first-rate villain . Original and thrilling Music by Jacques Loussier , including catching leitmotif . Edward Scaife cinematography is colorful and glittering , as it is splendidly reflected on the awesome jungle outdoors . Picture was lavishly produced by George Englund and well directed by Jack Cardiff , famous cameraman who photographed a lot of classic films . Rating : Above average . Very well worthwhile seeing .
Reviewed by AlsExGal 8 / 10

Violent fast moving thriller...

...about mercenary Curry (Rod Taylor) and his partner Ruffo (Jim Brown). They are both in 1960's The Congo, ready to carry out a mission for Congolese dictator Ubi (Calvin Lockhart). Curry is to get troops together and rescue the residents of Port Reprieve, along with 50 million in diamonds. In the troop he gathers together are an alcoholic doctor (Kenneth More) and a Nazi ex-officer (Peter Carsten). All set out on a makeshift train. On the way, they meet refugee Claire (Yviette Mimieux), whose husband has just been murdered. Complications ensue.This action film gives little chance for characterization. Taylor is fine, especially before movie takes the turn toward action thriller. You can read his eyes to see what his character is thinking, and he has a way with a sarcastic line. Brown is also good. Mimieux never gets a chance to develop her character; she's basically the sex interest or walking plot device.For 1968, film is remarkably violent. Don't get too fond of the characters. If you want to look for themes, the film has an interesting one spelled out. Listen to the tales of superstitions, and a character's behavior near the film's end. This is a good action film that gives food for thought and is worth a watch.
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