Lightning Bolt (1966)

Lightning Bolt (1966): When Your Secret Agent's Weapon is a Checkbook (And Lasers Come from Beer Trucks)!

Dive into the wonderfully kitschy world of 1960s Eurospy cinema with Lightning Bolt (1966), originally titled Operazione Goldman, a film that epitomizes the global scramble to capitalize on the James Bond phenomenon. Directed by the prolific Anthony Dawson (aka Antonio Margheriti), this spy-fi caper thrusts us into a vibrant, if not entirely logical, espionage adventure where the stakes are high, but the gadgets are even higher. Our hero is the effortlessly cool secret agent Harry Sennitt, affectionately nicknamed "Goldman" for his seemingly limitless expense account – because who needs a Walther PPK when you have a platinum credit card and an unlimited budget for international playboy antics? The plot, a delightful exercise in mid-century absurdity, sees Sennitt dispatched to unravel a sinister plot involving the sabotage of US space program rocket launches. What he uncovers is a truly unique villain: a nefarious beer baron named Rehte, who's obliterating rockets not with conventional explosives, but with laser beams fired from his own beer trucks parked conspicuously outside the installation. If that doesn't scream peak Eurospy, nothing does.

Lightning Bolt fully embraces the stylistic flair and imaginative silliness characteristic of its era, delivering a gleefully over-the-top experience. While it clearly aimed to be Italy and Spain's answer to 007's Thunderball, complete with underwater sequences, exotic locales, and a secret agent who lives a lavish lifestyle, it carves out its own distinct niche through sheer audacity. The film, shot in Techniscope in 1965, benefits from a visible budget that allowed for sunny outdoor locations, some impressive (for the time) stunts, and surprisingly detailed model work and set designs that give it a polished, if not always plausible, gloss. The charm lies in its unpretentious commitment to spectacle and its embrace of far-fetched scientific concepts, making it a rollicking ride for anyone nostalgic for a simpler, more colorful brand of espionage. The film might have been released a tad late to fully ride the Bond wave, as Anthony Eisley himself noted, but that delay only adds to its cult appeal.

The performances, particularly from our suave lead, contribute significantly to the film's enjoyable campiness. Anthony Eisley, as Lieutenant Harry Sennitt, embodies the role of the laid-back, perpetually unbothered secret agent, giving off the distinct impression of a man who can't quite believe he's getting paid to drive fast cars and lounge with beautiful women. His nonchalant demeanor is perfectly complemented by the supporting cast, including Wandisa Guida as the capable Kary, Folco Lulli as the fantastically named villain Rehte, and Diana Lorys as the intriguing Captain Patricia Flanagan. Lightning Bolt might not be a cinematic masterpiece, but it's a wonderfully entertaining relic that perfectly captures the whimsical spirit of the Eurospy genre, a time when a checkbook could be your deadliest weapon and beer trucks held the key to global domination. It's an absolute must-watch for fans of vintage spy thrillers and anyone who appreciates a good dose of retro sci-fi absurdity.