mark.waltz This sick themed war drama has a psychotic doctor exploiting the situation with Nazis by killing refugee wannabees and potential prisoners of war by having them convert all their money into gold with the promise of getting them out of France. James Robertson Justice (the sweets factory owner from "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang") is the nasty "Beast of Marseilles" who tells one Jewish undertaker desperate to meet his family over in England that he is saving him from the tortures of a concentration camp. While all of this is going on, the Nazis introduce much terror to the residents, including a lecherous fat soldier who after twice trying to rape the young heroine ends up having a date with the concrete below when he falls off a roof after having a fight with her lover.Generally unpleasant and slow-moving, this seems an odd story to be telling more than a decade after the end of the war. Stephen Boyd is the young hero fighting both the Germans and the evil Justice who enjoys his murderous ways as a painter would be uncovering his new artwork. This is an "A" version of the type of film that Tod Slaughter would have menaced in a decade before. The only thing that is of interest in this really is the manner in which the villain is exposed and ultimately dealt with.

nixonkg-1 Many films have ambiguous titles, but why "Seven Thunders"? Was this the title of the book from which this film was derived? Can anyone explain? Did I miss something in this slow and ponderous film? The whole storyline did not ring true. Where were the escapees going to from Marseilles? Spain would seem the obvious choice. Was this in fact an actual escape route for Allied POWs from Italy? The film was interesting from the fact that a lot of it was shot on location, but overall it was a very disappointing use of a talented cast! Interesting to see Stephen Boyd in an early screen role. Sad that his career appeared to peter out and that he died young.

ccmiller1492 A gripping, unusual study of the people of the port of Marseilles during Nazi occupation...the supporting characters are outstanding: James Robertson Justice as a secret murderer posing as a benevolent arranger for people desperate to escape, his several victims as he works to achieve an even 100, the plucky jeune femme who does her best to "capture" the English POW (Boyd), and each person right down to the German troopers (the overweight beastly molester, and the callow and nervous trigger-happy 20 yr. who kills a child.) Every performance in this film is meticulous and authentic, and helps in building to a very tense and suspenseful outcome. And there are moments of great pathos and excitement along the way. Don't miss this one, it's a neglected gem.

Neil-117 Not a stiff upper lip to be seen. Instead, French bordellos, bread sticks, wine, lust and seething emotions are on the menu as two British escapees from a German POW camp try to hide out in the occupied port city of Marseilles while waiting for a boat back to England.I say `try' to hide out, because their presence soon becomes an open secret - the Germans seem to be the only ones not in on it. And with all those friendly locals around, that's where the lust and other emotions come in – after all what's a chap to do while sitting around in a lively French city?As well as the highly original story line, other very striking features of this movie include the superb black & white filming which lovingly captures the teeming bohemian district of Marseilles. Also one can't help being struck by the astonishingly handsome cast of relatively obscure leading actors. The two British escapees in particular could have stepped straight out of a Mr Universe competition. The better known James Robertson Justice plays only a minor but memorable role.Just for sheer imagination, style and novelty, this movie stands out as a welcome variation on the wartime escape theme. By the way, don't switch off early because the Nazis provide a spectacular surprise ending.