Watch The Wrecking Crew

The Wrecking Crew is a 1968 American spy comedy film directed by Phil Karlson and starring Dean Martin as Matt Helm, a secret agent. The movie is based on Donald Hamilton's novel of the same name and is the fourth in the Matt Helm series. The story revolves around Matt Helm, a dashing secret agent who is assigned the task of retrieving a billion dollars' worth of gold from an evil mastermind named Count Contini, who plans to use it to finance a new weapon that could potentially destroy the world. However, the mission proves to be an arduous task as Helm is constantly thwarted by Contini's beautiful and seductive assistants, including the sultry Linka Karensky (Elke Sommer) and his own former flame, Freya Carlson (Sharon Tate).

The film's plot is full of twists and turns as Helm and his team of agents race against time to stop Contini's diabolical plan. Along the way, they encounter a variety of dangerous obstacles, including deadly laser beams, explosive booby-traps, and deadly killer automobiles.

One of the distinguishing features of The Wrecking Crew is its high level of camp and humor. The movie is full of cheesy one-liners and over-the-top action sequences that are meant to be taken as tongue-in-cheek. Dean Martin's charismatic performance as the suave and debonair Matt Helm is a perfect fit for the film's tone, and his chemistry with Elke Sommer and Sharon Tate adds an extra layer of fun to the story.

Another noteworthy aspect of The Wrecking Crew is its musical score. The film features a number of catchy and upbeat songs by legendary composer Hugo Montenegro, including the title theme, which became a hit single in its own right. The movie also includes a memorable musical number featuring Sharon Tate performing the song "The Look of Love" in a smoky nightclub.

In terms of production values, The Wrecking Crew is a well-crafted example of 1960s spy cinema. The film's set design, costumes, and special effects are all top-notch, creating a believable and immersive world for the characters to inhabit. Additionally, the movie features some impressive location shooting in places like Copenhagen, Denmark and Southern California, adding to its sense of grandeur and adventure.

Overall, The Wrecking Crew is a fun and entertaining spy movie that perfectly captures the spirit of the 1960s. Its blend of action, humor, and musical numbers makes for a memorable cinematic experience that will delight fans of the Matt Helm series and casual viewers alike. With its stylish visuals, charismatic performances, and catchy soundtrack, The Wrecking Crew is a classic example of the spy movie genre at its best.

The Wrecking Crew is a 1968 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 45 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.4.