Mark of the Phoenix


Mark of the Phoenix is a 1958 British second feature ('B') drama film directed by Maclean Rogers and starring Julia Arnall, Sheldon Lawrence and Anton Diffring. It was written by Norman Hudis. An American jewel thief comes into possession of a newly developed metal.

Plot

A newly developed and valuable metal is stolen and formed into a cigarette case for transportation to East Germany, but an American jewel thief comes into possession of it and finds himself a target.

Cast

The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "This spy story has all the usual trimmings as tough, handsome American jewel thief, portly art-collector gang leader, shot scientist, secret formula and brutal foreign agents as but almost makes up for their familiarity by lively pacing. This turns out to be the film's sole virtue, however, since direction, dialogue and performances are on a distressingly amateurish level."
Picture Show wrote: "There's plenty of action in this exciting spy drama ... Sheldon Lawrence ably plays the confident thief and Julian Arnall supplies the slight romantic interest."
Picturegoer wrote: "The idea's all right; but the plot's too complicated. Long before the end it's impossible to sort out who is who."
In British Sound Films David Quinlan wrote: Feverishly complicated thriller, not too well acted.
The Radio Times Guide to Films gave the film 1/5 stars, writing: "This dismal low-budget thriller has a corkscrew plot involving rare metals, jewel thieves, international blackmail, the Cold War and much else. ... The mediocre cast is typical of British B-movies of the period, with the sole exception of Anton Diffring."