| Darker than Amber | |
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| Directed by | Robert Clouse |
| Written by | John D. MacDonald, Ed Waters |
| Starring | Rod Taylor |
| Cinematography | Frank V. Phillips |
| Release date(s) | August 14 1970 |
| Running time | 96 min |
| Country | U.S. |
| Language | English |
Darker than Amber is a 1970 film adaptation of the John D. MacDonald novel Darker than Amber. It was directed by Robert Clouse from a screenplay by MacDonald and Ed Waters. It starred Rod Taylor as the main series character: Travis McGee. Darker than Amber remains the only McGee novel adapted to the big screen as of 2010. Prior to her death in 2011, and with the exception of a documentary appearance in 2007, this film was the last made by actress Jane Russell.
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The film largely stays true to the plot of the novel. It begins with McGee and his close friend Meyer moored underneath a bridge while fishing, when a young woman (who we later learn is an ex-prostitute named Vangie) is thrown over it weighted with a cement block wired around her ankles. McGee dives in and saves, only to be surprised when she adamantly insists that there be no contacting the police. She admits that the reason for the murder attempt was her involvement in a prostitution ring and a murder scheme. The trio eventually travels to Nassau to investigate the still-continuing murderers, who work in male/female pairs and lure rich, lonely men traveling on Caribbean cruises in to their confidence. The climax of the story involves McGee and Meyer dismantling the operation.
Other actors considered for the role of Travis McGee were Jack Lord and Robert Culp. John D. MacDonald pushed for Steve McQueen or Vic Morrow. The movie was shot on location in Florida and Nassau.[1]
Though it did not gross well in the box office, the film was praised by such critics as Roger Ebert as "a surprisingly good movie".[2] The New York Times also gave the film reserved praise, stating that the screenplay lagged in parts despite the good material to work from (in the original novel), and that the real star of the film was its Florida setting.[3]
It is a cult film, due to its scarcity, and to the fact it is almost never shown on broadcast or on cable TV, and when it is, the fight scene is edited to some extent. If and when a print can be located, there are almost always missing minutes. Though many cuts of this film exist, pristine American prints disappeared years ago.
The film played a rare theatrical screening at Anthology Film Archives in New York City, New York, on August 14, 2009.[4][5][6]
Initially rated R in the United States, it later became rated PG. the film was considered graphically violent for its time, especially the fist fight scene that ends the film, between Rod Taylor's Travis Mcgee and the film's villain, Terry (played by William Smith). With the cameras rolling one actor accidentally struck the other (no one has ever revealed who struck the first real blow), the second threw a retaliatory punch, and a staged fight scene became a real fight, with real wounds, real lost teeth, and real blood all over their clothing.
After Darker Than Amber ran its course in theaters, both Rod Taylor and William Smith would reportedly be considered for the part of Caucasian martial artist Roper in the 1973 Bruce Lee blockbuster Enter the Dragon, which would also be helmed by Darker Than Amber director Robert Clouse.[7][8] The role would ultimately go to John Saxon, however.[9]
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