Watch A Twist of Sand

A Twist of Sand is a British thriller film directed by Don Chaffey, released in 1968. It is based on a novel of the same name by Geoffrey Jenkins. The movie stars Richard Johnson, Honor Blackman, and Jeremy Kemp. The story takes place during the early 1960s in the fictional country of Zangaro, in Southern Africa. A group of British mercenaries led by Captain Ben Connor (Richard Johnson) are hired to retrieve a cache of diamonds stolen by German soldiers during World War II. The diamonds are hidden in a shipwreck off the coast of Zangaro.

The team includes the tough and experienced veteran Charlie Bray (Jeremy Kemp), the linguist and expert navigator Garry (Peter Vaughan), and the beautiful American widow Julie Chambois (Honor Blackman), who is an expert in underwater diving. Once they reach Zangaro, they team up with a local African guide named Koko (Sidney Poitier) to look for the diamonds.

However, when they arrive, they find that Zangaro is in great turmoil. A coup d'état has just taken place, and the country's new leader Colonel Mboya (Walter Gotell) is a dangerous dictator who has banned all foreigners from the country. The mercenaries must navigate through dangerous terrain, hostile locals, and covert operations to find the shipwreck and retrieve the diamonds.

The film is a classic action-packed adventure story, set against the backdrop of a volatile political situation. It is a blend of the spy thriller, war film, and heist movie genres. The movie captures the atmosphere of Africa in the early 1960s, with stunning landscapes, exotic cultures, and intense violence.

Richard Johnson gives a commanding performance as Captain Ben Connor, a stoic and no-nonsense leader who will stop at nothing to get the job done. Jeremy Kemp is equally impressive as Charlie Bray, a gruff and cynical soldier who provides much of the film's humor. Honor Blackman brings a formidable presence as Julie Chambois, a resilient and resourceful woman who challenges the male-dominated world of the mercenaries.

The cinematography by Tony Imi is excellent, particularly the underwater scenes. The score by John Dankworth sets just the right tone of adventure and intrigue.

A Twist of Sand is a well-crafted and enjoyable film that will appeal to fans of classic action-adventure movies. It is a must-see for those who enjoy films set in exotic locations, as well as those who enjoy stories about treasure hunts, secret agents, and daring escapades.

A Twist of Sand is a 1968 adventure movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.4.