A great story by Mary Stewart is mutilated by Disney. Will we ever learn?

Nikky Ferris (a rather pudgy and blotchy Hayley Mills) is on holiday with her aunt Frances (Joan Greenwood). They find themselves unwanted by the local hotel owner (the famous Greek actress Irene Papas) and her abrasive brother (Eli Wallach). Little do they suspect that they will get involve in a nefarious international plot; One in which you can not tell the good guys from the bad until it is too late.

On the plus is a lot of good scenery. And how they could pay Irene Papas "Elektra" (1962) to be in this movie one can only guess.

The real problem with this film is that Disney got a hold of it and turned a mystery into a farce. Nikky spills the beans more than once and is bratty when called upon to be decisive. She is nave and quite bratty for her age. The other characters are quite sophomoric most of the time. And too many times we must suspend any logic in figuring out where the runners are hiding and how the hunters no right where to get them. The story has a swift and inconsistent sort of ending.

ディズニーの秘蔵ッ子スター、ヘイリー・ミルズと、ピーター・マッケナリーが一番輝いていた頃の作品。
共演者に、伝説のスター、ルドルフ・ヴァレンティノの最後の恋人だったサイレント時代の女優ポーラ・ネグり。

ディズニー映画らしい健全さに、マッケナリーのイギリス的翳りと、ネグりのおどろおどろしいハリウッドバビロンの世界がからんで、なかなかに見ごたえのある作品に仕上がっています。
観光映画としても楽しめる一級の娯楽作品です。