Spaghetti western and sword-and-sandal star Richard Harrison does an admirable job of spoofing himself in this action-packed Italian-Spanish-produced caper film. Harrison stars as a vain American bit player in European Westerns whose resemblance to a British diamond market official embroils him in a police sting operation to apprehend a ring of dangerous jewel thieves. His reluctant cooperation soon lands him in a convoluted web of double-crosses, false identities, and mortal danger. Master Stroke's pulp-novel pace and breezy mix of gunplay and intrigue with light comedy and romance should appeal to fans of spy thrillers and, in particular, the James Bond franchise (a parallel underscored by the presence of Thunderball's Adolfo Celi). Meanwhile,'60s Eurocult aficionados will delight in the swinging London locations and kinetic score by Francesco De Masi, as well as the presence of such familar faces as Eduardo Fajardo and Luciano Pigozzi as a pair of hissable heels, and the beautiful Margaret Lee as Harrison's love interest.
A Master Stroke (1920)
Directed by Chester Bennett
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