Cape Town Affair

Cape Town Affair from 1967, directed by Robert D. Webb, is an enthralling thriller with a surprising blend of mystery and romance that transports viewers to the unique scenery of 1960s South Africa. The ambitious plot keeps viewers hooked from scene one and, coupled with the beautiful filming locations and exceptional performances of the main cast, it serves as an enjoyable and engaging love letter to the genre.

One of the headliners is a talented young actor, James Brolin, who brings an inherent charm and charisma to his role. Brolin, who had garnered fame from his role on the soap opera "Marcus Welby, M.D.," shines brightly in this film as Skip McCoy. His character is an ex-soldier and a pickpocket, whose skills put him right in the middle of an intense, global political drama.

Jacqueline Bisset, in one of her early silver screen performances, stars alongside Brolin as the stunning and intriguing, Candy. Her performance adds grace and depth to her character as a complex woman who is entangled in a web from which she is desperate to escape.

The veteran actress Claire Trevor and the reliably consistent Bob Courtney complete the adequately rounded cast. Trevor graces the screen as Sam, a gritty, world-weary heroin addict. Her moments on screen are rife with tension and raw emotion rendering a memorable character.

The plot of Cape Town Affair is one of gripping intrigue. It’s a multi-layered narrative, where a simple act of pickpocketing plunges the characters into a whirlwind of events that tie into an international espionage plot. The film straddles an entertaining blend of thriller and the crime genre, touching on the lengths ordinary people are willing to go when they are pushed into extraordinary circumstances.

Director Robert D. Webb, well-known for his competence in handling thrillers, uses the everyday cityscape of Cape Town to construct a palpable tension, lending an ever-constant backdrop of suspense. Known for leveraging the thriller genre to induce political commentary, Webb carries his signature trend to this movie as well.

The location cinematography is a prominent feature of Cape Town Affair and plays as an unwritten character in the narrative, capturing the spirit and unique beauty of South Africa's Mother City. Shots of the city's tableau, Table Mountain, the dynamic city center, and the picturesque coastline are woven effectively into the plot, not just as aesthetic background, but reflecting the diverse and complex history of Cape Town.

Throughout the movie, the director uses these location shots, sets, and the performances of his cast to subtly convey underlying themes of morality, societal norms, and redemption. The clever intertwining of these themes gives the film a depth that would satisfy even the most discerning viewer.

For music lover, the film's theme song, "Cape Town," performed by the folk-rock duo Jennifer and Sylvia Saddle, weaves together the themes of romance and excitement that are integral to the story, while also capturing the city's vibrant spirit.

However, Cape Town Affair is more than a suspense movie. It cleverly weaves elements of romance into its action-packed narrative. As the two main characters, Skip and Candy, are thrust together by circumstances, their initial mistrust soon morphs into something more. Their evolving dynamic adds a softer, more personal touch to the overall high-tension plot, offering audiences moments of respite amidst the thrilling storyline.

Cape Town Affair from 1967 is not just an action-packed classic thriller, but a layered narrative that delves into deeper themes. Its spotlight on the culture, people and the beautiful landscape that make up Cape Town adds an additional layer of intrigue. With a strong cast delivering compelling performances and a plot that stays exciting from beginning to end, this film is an interesting addition to the 1960s cinema.