The File of the Golden Goose

THE FILE OF THE GOLDEN GOOSE (1969) - June 6, 2007
Yul Brynner is the highlight in this dated and otherwise unspectacular film about a secret service agent who goes undercover to infiltrate a counterfeiting ring. It actually starts out pretty well, but is dragged down by a really dull midsection in which Brynner follows up various leads in an attempt to ingratiate himself with the gang. It picks up again at the end, but it's really too late by then. But there's one scene which almost makes it all worthwhile: at the beginning of the film, Brynner's boss is trying to get him to replace an undercover agent who was murdered in the field. Brynner is undecided at this point, and asks his boss, "Was he able to take any of those bastards with him?" His boss replies, "No." Brynner thinks about this for a moment, and then says, "Hopefully I can do better," at which point he stubs out his cigarette. If that's not badass, I don't know what is. **