Shout at the Devil (1976)

SHOUT AT THE DEVIL is the splendid adaptation of the splendid Wilbur Smith novel about a British gent and an American poacher who take on the might of the German Empire in Africa in the First World War. As expected given the source material, it's an exotic and action-packed adventure yarn, delightfully old fashioned with it.The film wins plenty of kudos for the central pairing of Roger Moore and Lee Marvin, two larger-than-life actors who make for a great combination. Moore plays a slightly more serious riff on his usual persona, while Marvin is all swagger and drunken behaviour. The film wisely uses their potential for comedy by pairing them in lots of hilarious scenes, not least the never-ending fist fight.Of course, there's a serious story buried in here too, along with one or two devastating plot twists that only Smith could have come up with. Reinhard Kolldehoff is a thoroughly despicable villain, both pompous and cruel, and the countdown-timer denouement is as exciting as it was when I read the book years ago.If you like films that celebrate good, old-fashioned derring do, Dutch courage and thoroughly caddish behaviour, then you'll be sure to enjoy this one too.

See it- This superb actioner is very light-hearted, but packs quite a punch. Adventure meets war when hunters in Africa run into Germans during World War I. This underrated film starring Lee Marvin and Roger Moore has a recipe with just the right blend of comedy and action. But its Marvin who offers the lions share of the hilarity in the first half of the movie. The second half of the movie is much more serious, as the two main characters volunteer to go on a dangerous mission with the objective of blowing up a German battleship docked for repairs. To those who don't like this movie, I say, in the words of Lee Marvin, "See you in a minute…We'll shout at the devil together!" 3.5 action rating

Despite the learned commentators preceding, I have a fear that anyone who despises the wanton murder of elephants (for their Ivory) willshout at their TV for not being warned of the realistic shooting scene early in the picture. (I have yet to see the scene with the baby). It is no wonder women have no use for this storytelling-gone-awry. Just be warned. Shaggy silver-haired, lead ball-to-the-leg-wound survivor Lee Marvin appears in the vintage of Monte Walsh but this picture lacks a theme song by Mama Cass. If it did, it would be titled "Save the last sandwich for me""This" is a TV network airing on secondary digital channels that runs full-length "turkeys" from the '70s and '80s and also episodes of Mr. Ed and Patty Duke -both of which feature talking horses. The picture quality is excellent if you get your rabbit-ears correctly aimed, the wind doesn't blow tree branches around and if the atmosphere is clear from you to the transmitting tower.

If C S Forester had not written The African Queen the fact that Germany once had a colonial empire would be totally unknown. This little known theatre of WW1 has been the background to The African Queen and this film as well as an episode of Young Indiana Jones. Contrary to what some commentators have said Fleischer is not meant to be based on Lettow-Vorbeck. He holds a different position, namely that of commissioner for the southern district. Lettow-Vorbeck was commander of the Schutztruppe. It is a cracking good yarn but like many people who have seen it I don't like the part where the baby gets killed. The special effects are some of the best pre-CGI effects I have seen.The editing of the film leaves a bit to be desired.Lee Marvin basically reprises Ben Rumson and Roger Moore plays James Bond as an Edwardian adventurer. As I said the special effects are good for their time but when the battleship blows up the hull remains in the same position. It doesn't sink or even list. Also, if there was a bomb right in the ship's magazine the explosion would be a lot bigger and Rosa and Sebastian would not have much chance of survival being just across on the opposite bank. But still a very good film.