
This is a low-to-the-ground espionage story shot in the style before James Bond made the splash heard ’round the world in Dr. No, even though it was made two years later. The simple story, about a stolen nuclear rocket propellant called the SR 712, is told in a nuts-and-bolts manner and the low key hero will barely register on those brought up on the larger than life Bond.
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Action
Seven Miles from Alcatraz (1942) Edward Dmytryk, James Craig, Bonita Granville, Frank Jenks, Action, Drama

After Pearl Harbor, convicts at Alcatraz prison live in fear of bomb attacks, driving Champ Larkin and his pal Jimbo to a desperate escape attempt which lands them on a tiny lighthouse island, where they take over. The five inhabitants are stymied in their efforts to summon aid. But the island also figures in the schemes of a big Nazi spy ring; which will win out, the gangsters’ greed or their patriotism?
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Krull (1983) Peter Yates, Ken Marshall, Lysette Anthony, Freddie Jones, Action, Adventure, Fantasy

From the sky will come the Black Fortress. From the Fortress will come the Slayers to devour the planet of Krull. Then shall a girl of ancient name become queen…she shall choose a king…and together they shall rule the planet. And their son shall rule the galaxy.
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Sins of the Realm / Slaves of the Realm (2003) Lloyd A. Simandl, Rena Mero, Daniela Krhutova, Lucie Vondrácková, Action, Adventure, Sexploitation

In a distant time and place a country is divided into several kingdoms. The king of the richest has recently died and his son and heir will have a new bride selected for him from amongst the princesses by the high priestess. But before the selection can begin, the beautiful princesses must be freed from their jealous kidnappers, who have forced them to work in the silver mines!
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Victory (1981) John Huston, Michael Caine, Sylvester Stallone, Pelé, Action, Drama, Sport

In World War II, a group of Nazi officers come up with a propaganda event in which an all star Nazi team will play a team composed of Allied Prisoners of War in a Soccer (Football) game. The Prisoners agree, planning on using the game as a means of escape from the camp.
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Cien / Shadow (1956) Jerzy Kawalerowicz, Zygmunt Kestowicz, Adolf Chronicki, Emil Karewicz, Action, Drama

The plot consists of a Rashomon-like investigation into the life of a man found dead after having been hurled from a train. As security agents, policemen and a medical examiner begin to piece together his identity, three accounts emerge: one set during World War II, one in the immediate aftermath of the war and one in contemporary Poland. In each, the victim seems to have been a mysterious, ambiguous presence, of shifting loyalties and suspicious connections, who invariably set himself against the ruling powers of the time. Critics of the day attacked the film for its depiction of a world rife with secret agents and hidden enemies – a favorite Stalinist theme – yet the film seems rather to insist on how heroism or villainy are so often matters of point of view and timing.
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The Steel Helmet (1951) Samuel Fuller, Gene Evans, Robert Hutton, Steve Brodie, Action, Drama, War

During the Korean War, strong but worn and cantankerous Sergeant Zack is aided by a young, orphaned Korean boy. Together they encounter and join a small group of American soldiers. The group stumbles upon a Buddhist temple where they decide to hold up, believing it to be empty…
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They Live (1988) John Carpenter, Roddy Piper, Keith David, Meg Foster, Action, Horror, Sci-Fi

Nada, a down-on-his-luck construction worker, discovers a pair of special sunglasses. Wearing them, he is able to see the world as it really is: people being bombarded by media and government with messages like “Stay Asleep”, “No Imagination”, “Submit to Authority”. Even scarier is that he is able to see that some usually normal-looking people are in fact ugly aliens in charge of the massive campaign to keep humans subdued.
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Attack! (1956) Robert Aldrich, Jack Palance, Lee Marvin, Eddie Albert, Drama, War, Action

During the closing days of WWII, a National Guard Infantry Company is assigned the task of setting up artillery observation posts in a strategic area. Lieutenant Costa knows that Cooney is in command only because of ‘connections’ he had made state-side. Costa has serious doubts concerning Cooneys’ ability to lead the group. When Cooney sends Costa and his men out, and refuses to re-enforce them, Costa swears revenge.
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Shamus (1973) Buzz Kulik, Burt Reynolds, Dyan Cannon, John P. Ryan, Action, Comedy, Crime

New York private eye Shamus McCoy likes girls, drink and gambling, but by the look of his flat business can’t be too hot. So an offer of $10,000 to finds some diamonds stolen in a daring raid with a flame-thrower is too good to miss. His investigations soon get pretty complicated and rather too dangerous. At least along the way he does get to meet Alexis.
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