The Adventurers (1970 film)

The Adventurers
Company type	Film
Industry	Motion picture
Founded	1970
Founder	Lewis Gilbert (director, producer, co-writer)
Products	Epic adventure drama film
Parent	Paramount Pictures (distributor)

The Adventurers is a 1970 American epic adventure drama film directed, produced, and co-written by Lewis Gilbert, adapted from the 1966 novel authored by Harold Robbins.

This motion picture marks the American debut of Bekim Fehmiu and also stars Candice Bergen, Charles Aznavour, Olivia de Havilland, Fernando Rey, Ernest Borgnine, Alan Badel, and Leigh Taylor-Young. Shot on location throughout Europe and South America, the storyline loosely reflects the life of Dominican diplomat and playboy Porfirio Rubirosa.

Following the success of Alfie, Gilbert took on this film as part of a lucrative agreement with Paramount. In retrospect, he referred to The Adventurers as "the worst thing I ever did" and described the original novel as "impossible."

Plot

In the fictional South American nation of Corteguay, a young Dax Xenos witnesses government troops kill his mother and sister. His father, Jaime, a revolutionary leader, empowers Dax to execute those responsible. After deposing the dictator, Jaime assumes the role of ambassador in Rome.

Years later, upon Jaime's return, he discovers dictator Rojo has seized control. Jaime contacts El Condor, the new revolutionary leader, but is assassinated by Rojo’s security chief. Dax comes back for his father’s funeral and is manipulated by Rojo into persuading El Condor to surrender; subsequently, El Condor is killed. Seeking vengeance, Dax kills Gutierrez, confronts Rojo directly, then relocates to Rome where he becomes a gigolo and marries wealthy Sue Ann Daley—though their marriage ends in divorce.

When Dax returns to Corteguay for the unveiling of his father's statue, he becomes involved in another uprising led by El Lobo. The revolution triumphs after Dax assassinates Rojo. Learning that Amparo has given birth to his son, he sends her to Rome with plans to establish democracy; however, he is ultimately assassinated by El Condor's vengeful son.

Production

In 1963, Embassy Pictures secured the film rights to Harold Robbins' forthcoming novel for $1 million and enlisted John Michael Hayes to write an initial screenplay. Upon the novel's publication in 1966, Paramount Pictures organized a promotional sweepstakes soliciting casting suggestions from the public, awarding $500 to selected winners.

Producer Gilbert commissioned Robbins to write the screenplay but found it excessively explicit, violent, and lengthy. He also noted Paramount’s inclination toward casting lesser-known actors rather than established stars due to recent box office disappointments with star-led projects, though he acknowledged that the film assembled a strong ensemble.

Principal photography commenced on August 12, 1968, at Cinecittà Studios, followed by shoots in Rome, Venice, and a 12-day session in New York City. The production then relocated to Colombia for three months of filming in locations including Bogotá, Cartagena, and the Andes Mountains.

Music

The soundtrack was composed by Bossa nova legend Antonio Carlos Jobim. Among twelve featured songs, three—"Children's Games" (Chovendo na Roseira), "A Bed of Flowers For Sue Ann" (Sue Ann), and "Dax & Amparo-Love Theme" (Olha Maria)—emerged as some of Jobim’s most renowned works, first introduced on this album. The gentle and melodic score provides a stark contrast to the film’s darker narrative elements.

Additionally, a rare track titled "Young Love" by British group Family was used as background music during a fashion show scene but was never included on any official soundtrack releases.

Release and reception

The Adventurers had a distinctive debut on February 23, 1970, serving as the in-flight feature for Trans World Airlines' inaugural Boeing 747 Superjet journey from New York City to Los Angeles, with both celebrities and media representatives present. This event represented the first-ever simultaneous launch of a film and an airplane. Subsequent test screenings were held on March 4, 1970, in locations across New York and California. The initial 205-minute version was met with unfavorable reviews, leading to a hurried re-edit prior to its broad release across more than 100 theaters in the United States on March 25, 1970.

Critical

The film was predominantly criticized by reviewers. Howard Thompson of The New York Times found it lackluster when compared to Harold Robbins's original novel. Arthur D. Murphy from Variety dismissed it as "a classic monument to bad taste," condemning its over-the-top production, direction, script, performances, soundtrack, violence, and sexual content. Gene Siskel awarded it just 1 out of 4 stars, emphasizing its failure to entertain and its negative financial impact on studios.

Kevin Thomas of the Los Angeles Times criticized its sensational nature and subpar acting, while Gary Arnold of The Washington Post acknowledged its fidelity to the source material but called it clumsy and ineffective. The Monthly Film Bulletin described it as a "three-hour slog" filled with stereotypical elements.

By the early 2000s, the movie had developed a cult following as an unintended comedy. In 2005, it was featured in The Official Razzie Movie Guide among the Top Ten Best Bad films, recognized for its earnestness despite lacking credible characters or dialogue. Critic Paul Mavis characterized it as an "irresistible, frequently maddening mess," noting its blend of Third World political themes and jet-set lifestyle reminiscent of international playboy Porfirio Rubirosa.

Director Lewis Gilbert later reflected on BBC Radio’s Desert Island Discs (2010), admitting that The Adventurers was "a big, sprawling, very expensive film which was a disaster" and expressed remorse over undertaking the project.

Home media

Paramount Home Entertainment issued the film on widescreen DVD on July 12, 2005, followed by a re-release through the Warner Archive Collection on September 24, 2013. This DVD edition was edited and received a PG rating after substantial cuts were made to scenes involving violence against women.

References

External links