The House of the Seven Hawks
1959 British film
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The House of the Seven Hawks is a 1959 British mystery film directed by Richard Thorpe and starring Robert Taylor, Nicole Maurey and Linda Christian.[2][3] It was written by Jo Eisinger based on the 1952 Victor Canning novel The House of the Seven Flies.[4] It was the final film by Robert Taylor under his twenty five-year contract with MGM.[5] The film follows an American captain searching for sunken treasure who becomes entangled with criminals and is arrested by the Dutch police.
1952 novel
by Victor Canning
| The House of the Seven Hawks | |
|---|---|
Theatrical Film Poster | |
| Directed by | Richard Thorpe |
| Screenplay by | Jo Eisinger |
| Based on | The House of the Seven Flies 1952 novel by Victor Canning |
| Produced by | David Rose |
| Starring | Robert Taylor Nicole Maurey Linda Christian |
| Cinematography | Ted Scaife |
| Edited by | Ernest Walter |
| Music by | Clifton Parker |
Production company | Coronado Productions |
| Distributed by | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer |
Release date |
|
Running time | 92 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $535,000[1] |
| Box office | $1,065,000[1] |
Plot
American skipper John Nordley becomes entangled with the Dutch police and international crooks over sunken Nazi treasure but survives and finds romance.
Cast
- Robert Taylor as John Nordley
- Nicole Maurey as Constanta Sluiter
- Linda Christian as Elsa
- Donald Wolfit as Inspector Van Der Stoor
- David Kossoff as Wilhelm Dekker
- Eric Pohlmann as Captain Rohner
- Philo Hauser as Charlie Ponz
- Gerard Heinz as Inspector Sluiter
- Paul Hardtmuth as Beukleman
- Lily Kann as Gerta
- Richard Shaw as Police Sgt. Straatman
- André van Gyseghem as hotel clerk
- Leslie Weston as Tulper
- Guy Deghy as Desk Lieutenant
- Peter Welch as Gannett
- Peter Lannagan as Peter
Reception
Critical
The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "The plot is over-complicated to the point of confusion, and much time is wasted as the characters try to explain it to each other. In all other respects, despite the Dutch setting and a prolonged night sequence on tinted stock a little hard to look at, this is the usual thriller about an American adventurer's skirmishes with dishonest Europeans, briefly enlivened by David Kossoff's performance as a fussy, timid little crook."[6]
Picturegoer wrote: "It's the kind of unpretentious, fast, unfussy modern swashbuckling that is wholly entertaining. And is due to a workable, if corny, plot served up with an acid twist of humour. Heading a first-rate supporting staff is David Kosoff, as an efieminate thug, and Philo Hauser, as a spiv Dutch dealer. Nicole Maurey and Linda Christian amply serve the glamour department. But it's Taylor's comeback as an animated actor that makes this jaunt across the North Sea a joy."[7]
The New York Times called the film "an unpretentious but satisfying entertainment."[8]
In The Radio Times Guide to Films Adrian Turner gave the film 2/5 stars, writing: "Workhorse director Richard Thorpe had just completed some uncredited second unit work on MGM epic Ben-Hur when he was sent by the studio to Britain and Holland to direct this bland 'B' movie."[9]
Box office
According to MGM records, the film earned $415,000 in the U.S. and Canada and $650,000 elsewhere, resulting in a loss of $20,000.[1]