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Modesty Blaise

Monica Vitti (Actor), Terence Stamp (Actor), Joseph Losey (Director) Rated:
NR
Format: Blu-ray
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 259 ratings
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August 23, 2016 		—
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$34.99 $14.99
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Product Description

Her entire appearance changes in a finger snap. She thrashes villains without missing a spiked-heeled step. Welcome to the mad, mod world of sexy, stylish British super agent Modesty Blaise (Monica Vitti, L Avventura, L Eclisse). Hired by the government to prevent a diamond heist, Modesty recruits her wily sidekick Willie Garvin (Terence Stamp, The Limey) to help her battle crafty, colorful foes on the secluded island of a suave mastermind thief Gabriel (Dirk Bogarde, Death in Venice) and conniving partner Mrs. Fothergill (Rosella Falk, 8½). Grooving with mile-high hairdos and swinging, psychedelic wall patterns, Modesty Blaise is campy entertainment at its best. The great Joseph Losey (Eva, The Servant) directed this outrageous spy spoof featuring a stellar cast that includes Harry Andrews (Moby Dick), Clive Revill (Fathom) and Alexander Knox (The Vikings).

Bonus Features: Interview with First Assistant Director Gavrik Losey, Interviews with Screenwriter Evan Jones and Assistant Art Director Norman Dorme, Audio Commentary by Film Historian David Del Valle and Filmmaker Armand Mastroianni, Trailer Gallery

Product details

  • Is Discontinued By Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ No
  • MPAA rating ‏ : ‎ NR (Not Rated)
  • Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 0.7 x 7.5 x 5.4 inches; 5.92 ounces
  • Item model number ‏ : ‎ 35643809
  • Director ‏ : ‎ Joseph Losey
  • Media Format ‏ : ‎ NTSC, Anamorphic, Widescreen
  • Run time ‏ : ‎ 1 hour and 59 minutes
  • Release date ‏ : ‎ August 23, 2016
  • Actors ‏ : ‎ Monica Vitti, Terence Stamp, Dirk Bogarde
  • Studio ‏ : ‎ Kl Studio Classics
  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01FGRB1EU
  • Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 259 ratings

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
259 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Photoscribe
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the better Bond spoofs...
Reviewed in the United States on July 7, 2003
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This movie is so CHIC, I haven't got the exact words to describe it. The cast is sort of chi-chi: Monica Vitti, Terence Stamp, Harry Andrews, Dirk Boarde and Clive Revill, with Jospeh Losey directing, (Joseph Losey??) A hoi-polloi audience was almost assured! I saw this film in 1966 when it came out and was immediately struck by how different it was from the other Bond spoofs, such as "Our Man Flint" and those awful Matt Helm movies. "Modesty" is avant garde in that notoriously sanitized, late sixties style that made psychedelia palatable for the masses, with op art wallpaper everywhere and decadence celebrated by way of the villains portrayed by Bogarde and "Mrs. Fathergill".
The jazzy score is very reminiscent of the one for "The Tenth Victim", though the lyricked theme song used in the opening credits should do WITHOUT the words, since they're just a WEE bit too arch! The instrumental side, however, is done beautifully, and adds to the "chic" feel of the movie.
The fact that Monica Vitti has an accent so thick, you could choke on it, only adds to this flavor, as does Terence Stamp's prophetic "Alex the Droog" portrayal of her sidekick, Willie Garvin. The casual use of Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Citroens and multi-colored cigarettes make this a fashion-mongerer's wet dream.
It's been stated that this film had no plot....oh, it's got a plot, alright, but there's so much OTHER business going on while it's unraveling, you can miss it! Modesty and Willie's briefs are to make sure fifty million pounds of foreign aid, in the form of diamonds, are delivered to an arab sheikh without the inimitable Gabriel, (Bogarde,) getting his superciliously foppish hands on them. Revill plays his fawning sidekick, accountant and condifante, McWhorter.
Everybody involved seems to be having the time of their lives being in this flick, especially Stamp and Vitti.
Chic, funny, and unique, a DEFINITE change of pace for the classic Hollywood director who helmed it, (if he indeed ever existed)....this movie joins "Help!", "Lord Love A Duck" and a few other zany flicks as icons of sixties aesthetics and cinematic philosophy.
A museum piece of late sixties culture....
(Why ...does she have to be called "Modesty Blaise"?? How about "Modesty Ace" or "Modesty Aqua"?)
14 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars A fun '60s movie!
Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2019
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I first saw this movie on an afternoon TV channel and was charmed by the 1960's filming style and the general "secret agent" theme. I ordered the movie so that I can continue to enjoy this movie over and over. Granted, it's maybe not the best film ever, the plot is somewhat hard to follow at times but, if you grew up in the '60s or are in love with the 60's, then this is a great movie to have and enjoy.
Beautiful scenery, beautiful colors, beautiful women...all there to enjoy in one movie. It's always fun to go back to a better time when actors could act and there were no CGI's to spoil the film, everything you see was done with talent, not gimmickry. It's fun to see the styles and fads of the times, art work, etc. Monica Vitti is beautiful here and worth the price just to see her, in my opinion. There are a lot of funny things that go on in the back ground or slip right by you if you're not paying attention, some of the filming angles are terrific and show a style you just don't see anymore. Basically, it's just a good movie to enjoy and I find it to be a treasure from the '60s!
4 people found this helpful
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Byron Kolln
4.0 out of 5 stars enjoyable hotch-potch of [stuff]
Reviewed in the United States on November 8, 2002
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MODESTY BLAISE is an enjoyable, campy little gem that is quite fun. High in style and low in plot, the cast obviously had a ball working on this great film.
Based on the popular long-running comic strip character, the story concerns high-class jewel and art thief Modesty Blaise (played bewitchingly by Monica Vitti) who is called upon to investigate the actions of reclusive millionaire and criminal Gabriel (Dirk Bogarde) who lives on a foreboding island.
Modesty enlists the help of her associate and some-time lover Willie Garvin (Terence Stamp) and soon Modesty is up to her neck in psychedelic espionage and sexy costumes! However, there is always Gabriel's assistant to contend with: the man-eating, sadistic Mrs Fothergill (Rosella Falk)...
The plot is as wafer-thin as Modesty's silken dresses; between the time that Modesty is recruited to the final showdown on Gabriel's island, there is about 90 minutes of plot that I cannot even fathom. Dirk Bogarde relishes his role as the decadent Gabriel, wearing a John Inman-esque fright wig and drinking out of impossibly-sized glasses. Another hilaious scene is where Mrs Fothergill is holding "diving lessons". During the climactic battle, Modesty and Willie have a time-out to sing a rather annoying love song, and somehow Arabs on stallions are mysteriously transported to the island to assist Modesty in her showdown with Gabriel!!...Totally unbelievable and only possible in the 60's.
Nontheless, MODESTY BLAISE is a charming piece of fluffy eye-candy and should be savored as the harmless schlock that it was meant to be.
Highly recommended. (Single-sided, single-layer disc).
11 people found this helpful
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Bill
3.0 out of 5 stars A fun romp.
Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2023
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A fun fantasy spy romp. But the creator of Modesty Blaise hated the way this production did to his creation. I have to agree with him.
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Deborah Macgillivray
5.0 out of 5 stars Shakespear this ain't!!!!!! But a funny funny movie!!!!
Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2002
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This movie is nearly ruined by the two leaden performances by its lead stars (Stamp almost seems embarrassed to be in the movie!!). What save this and turns it into a glorious romp are the performances by Dirk Bogarde (yes, heavy drama Dirk!! with white blonde hair!!!!!) and Clive Revill doing camp in high style. Their to-the-wall campy characters are alone worth every penny of this. They are a riot as the mad menancing boss and his competitive right hand. Bogarde and Revill have a fine grasp of what camp should be, unlike the two leads that seem alternatively to take it serious (big mistake) or seem rather ashamed to be caught in this off-the-wall, odd ball film. Heavily weighed down by mod 60's culture (which Austin Powers now makes a fortune with), it obviously was ahead of its time!!!!
So pop some popcorn and ice the pepsi, and maybe buy you a big box of JuJu fruit, click back and enjoy. People that enjoy Austin Powers series of films, will go for this BABY!!!!!!!!!!
14 people found this helpful
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Michele D.
5.0 out of 5 stars Great movie
Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2022
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Brings back great memories. Love the 60's and miss them.
3 people found this helpful
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Vincent DeFeo
5.0 out of 5 stars Great movie
Reviewed in the United States on September 18, 2021
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DVD came quickly. Great movie, an old favorite.
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Pasquale Sciacqua
5.0 out of 5 stars Film bellissimo
Reviewed in Italy on February 14, 2022
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Anni che aspettavo di vederlo in versione italiana, finalmente l’ho trovato
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F. V. L. Buliciri
5.0 out of 5 stars TThe world of espionage - Psychedelic Sixties Style
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 6, 2017
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In this film adaptation of the comic script character created by author Peter O'Donnell that featured years ago in the London Evening Standard, Italian movie star Monica Vitti in her first English speaking role portrays the heroine Modesty Blaise.

Modesty Blaise is a fun filled trip into the world of espionage in the psychedelic world of the Swinging sixties. Blaise (Vitti) is a former criminal turned spy hired by the British secret service to protect a shipment of diamonds to a Middle Eastern sheikh. She is assisted by her faithful Cockney sidekick Willie Garvin (Terence Stamp) on her mission. However, a diamond theft ring headed by Gabriel (Dirk Bogarde) is hot on their trail.

I loved this film. Director Joseph Losey captures on film the essence of Modesty Blaise in this film adaptation. Monica Vitti is excellent as Modesty, the iconic Terence Stamp at the height of his fame in the Sixties is brilliant and funny as the charming Cockney agent, Willie Garvin. Dirk Bogarde is superb as the camp, arch villain Gabriel.

I recommend this film because it is a true cult classic that gets better with age. Take a trip into the world of espionage in the Sixties psychedelic style.
12 people found this helpful
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Frédéric Fénières
5.0 out of 5 stars pour amateurs de kitsch
Reviewed in France on October 5, 2015
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Film pas très facile à trouver. De grands acteurs (Monica Viti, Dirck Bogarde,..) dirigés par Joseph Losey dans une histoire fumeuse avec des décors et une bande sonore très kitschs. On adore ou on déteste. L'ayant vu une première fois il a bien longtemps, j'ai revu avec plaisir plaisir ce film original. Le son est assez moyen.
3 people found this helpful
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Francisco Benitez Espada
5.0 out of 5 stars Losey irreconocible.
Reviewed in Spain on September 6, 2014
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Si eres amante del buen cine recordarás "El sirviente", "Accidente", "El Mensajero" . . . . ¡Olvídate! Juerga padre presentada en envoltorio de lujo. Divertídisima.
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Hans-christian Lassen
5.0 out of 5 stars Superlady im Pop-Outfit
Reviewed in Germany on February 18, 2014
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Diese Verfilmung eines Trivialkrimis machte Joseph Losey zu einer sehenswerten Orgie des Pop, vor allem was die Farbpalette anbelangt, die hier zum Tragen kommt. Der Geist der nostalgisch beschworenen Sixties: hier ist er tatsächlich noch Gegenwart! Dazu kommt die starke Leinwandpräsenz der aus Antonioni-Filmen bekannten Monica Vitti. Die Handlung kommt ziemlich banal daher, etwa auf dem Niveau von John Steed/Emma Peel - aber auch die haben ja zu recht ihre Bewunderer!
2 people found this helpful
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