A very nice repackaging of the Flint movies, well worth purchasing by diehard fans. All the principles of the films are now unfortunately dead (including the late great James Coburn, who would've added immeasurably to any commentary tracks), but the commentary tracks included are definitely the highlight of this new edition. Two uber movie geeks (sorry, can't remember their names) bring tons of charm, enthusiasm & wit to the commentaries which are chockablock with endless fun spy-movie/TV trivia. (They, along with the rest of us Flint fans, whine long & hard about the fact that Coburn chose not to continue the series after a mere 2 films---hell, he could've at least made it a trilogy.) Additional features on a 3rd disc are pretty lame (including the SUPREMELY lame 1977 made-for-TV movie---a Flint flick in name only with virtually no connection to the Coburn films). Again, the commentaries are what make this collection worthwhile. Highly recommended!!Update: The more recent limited edition Blu Ray version is a MUST for Flint fans! It's visually a HUGE improvement over previous editions. The Twilight Time Company has obviously treated this as a labor of love, producing a pristine, digitally remastered print of the film. The fun, '60's-era, day-glo/pop-art colors DO pop and the level of visual detail is amazing, probably looking better than when the flick was originally released theatrically. Throw in DTS sound and a whole bevy of new extras (including the very good commentary track from the earlier version)and you've got a great package, well worthwhile for fans of the Flint series.
That said, if you have not seen the Flint movies, do so! Envisioned as a competitor to the James Bond franchise, the Flint movies follow the adventures of secret-agent, super-playboy, part mad-scientist Derek Flint. Played by James Coburn (one of the last people to be personally trained by Bruce Lee), the movies are part tongue-in-cheek with plenty of action. Yes, the special effects are dated, but the plots are still pretty darn good. May people consider the movies to be a simple spoof on James Bond, kinda like the Dean Martin Matt Helm movies. The Austin Power's telephone ring taken right off the Flint movies. It's the telephone ring on the Presidential Hotline to Lloyd Cramden's. The soundtracks from both movies were recently released by popular demand. Not bad for 30 year old movies!
In Like Flint: The last film that 20th Century Fox filmed in CinemeScope, this sets Flint against some of the world's wealthiest women, bent on world domination. How? By brainwashing them with hair-dryers at the Fabulous Face salon, located on a private island.....
Our Man Flint: This sets Flint against some of the world's brightest scientists, bent on world domination. How? By controlling the weather. The machine is located on a, well, a private island.....
OK, so the plots are similar, but come on. Flint making "bloooba, bloooba" sounds communicating with dolphins. Moving around in space via his sonic belt buckle. Nailing a fly with his cigarette blow-gun. The gymnastic fight scene. The weightless battle in space. All priceless moments. Watch these two movies and you'll be thinking "so that's where (insert movie name here) got the idea!"I was born the same year this movie came out (1965), but I remember how much I loved it as a kid in the 70s. When the DVD came out I jumped at the opportunity to see it again.
What I didn't expect was how I was seeing it from an entirely new perspective. In my younger years, I saw Fint as another James Bond; I didn't consider it a parody or spoof of any kind.
Seeing it as an adult I realize just how well thought out it was. It's not an in-your-face spoof like Austin Powers is, but rather an exaggeration of traditional spy films in such a way that you can't help but laugh.
As Flint's boss (played by Lee J. Cobb) explains a standard issue spy briefcase to Flint filled with some 62 hidden weapons, Flint insists he doesn't need it because all he uses is his tiny cigarette lighter, which contains 82 functions (83 if you want to light a cigarette).
All in all, if you enjoy Bond films, you'll love Our Man Flint (and the follow up "In Like Fint").
Read Best Reviews of Our Man Flint (1966) Here
Even as a spoof of James Bond and his world, Derek Flint is a superior hero. First, this film, and its sequel, have much more humor than any Bond film yet. Bond may lay down a few funny lines at the right moment, but Flint is witty more often, and in a more intelligent, less demeaning way. Second, Bond takes orders, Flint chooses his assignments. This gives Flint an edginess Bond lacks. In fact, in this film, Flint initially refuses to save the world because he's too busy conducting research or something. Third, Bond is given gadgets by M, but Flint makes his own. In fact, when he is asked to memorize the government's secret code, he asks the government agents to learn his code to save time (because he already knows his own code). Finally, and most importantly, Bond wouldn't be Bond without the so-called Bond women. Flint is also constantly surrounded by admiring women, but that is not what motivates him or holds his interest and attention. He is first a scientist and humanitarian. All real men are whole men without the need for women to complete them. I could go on favorably comparing Derek Flint to James Bond, but the result would be the same. Flint is superior, and this film, and its sequel, will never lose their advantage or their audience to that other sissy.Want Our Man Flint (1966) Discount?
The new regime at Fox has put out The Flint movies in a great set with a low price.Fox Home Video has announced the release of the Ultimate Flint Colleciton, which bundles the James Coburn starring films Our Man Flint and In Like Flint with an added disc of special features, which also includes the previously unreleased 1976 made-for-television movie Our Man Flint: Dead On Target starring Ray Danton. The three-disc set will be available to own on the 7th of November at a retail price of $19.98. We've included a listing of the set's features below, along with the artwork for the release.
Our Man Flint (Disc One)
Commentary by Film Historians Eddie Friedfeld & Lee Pfeiffer
Theatrical Trailer
Fox Flix: In Like Flint, Fathom, Modesty Blaise
In Like Flint (Disc Two)
Commentary by Eddie Friedfeld & Lee Pfeiffer
Theatrical Trailer
Fox Flix: In Like Flint, Fathom, Modesty Blaise
Special Features (Disc Three)
Our Man Flint: Dead On Target TV-Movie
The Musician's Magician
Future Perfect
Spy School
Spy Vogue
Feminine Wiles
In Like Flint Puerto Rico Premiere
Spy-er-rama
A Gentleman's Game
Spy Style
The Making of Bouillabaisse
Screen Tests: Gila Golan for Our Man Flint, James Coburn & Gila Golan for Our Man Flint, Deanna Lund for In Like Flint
Trailers: The Chairman, The Quiller Memorandum, Deadfall, Peeper, The Magus, Beyond The Valley Of The Dolls
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