Did you know that the legendary Kirk Douglas went overseas to star in a Eurocrime Thriller alongside Giuliano Gemma and Florinda Bolkan? Considering he never bothered with a spaghetti western perhaps the cleft chinned icon thought he’d jump onto the latest rush of popular genre films being made abroad with American stars like Bronson and Palance. Let’s not forget Kirk did make a 1954 Peplum feature in Italy when he starred in Ulysses long before Steve Reeves donned the Hercules toga.
Sadly I’ve no idea why Kirk took on the role of a safe cracker looking to make one final score due to the fact that the film and it’s costars are overlooked in his autobiography, The Ragman’s Son.
But don’t let that stop you from picking up a copy out of a second hand store bargain bin and watch Kirk as the master thief with The Master Touch.
As the film begins, Kirk, has just been released from a three year stint in prison. Before he can even get a welcome home kiss from his wife, Miss Bolkan, he’s strong armed by a gang of goons over to meet with Wolfgang Preiss who has a can’t miss opportunity to score over a million in cash from a hi-tech safe. Kirk’s last go around with Preiss netted him the three stay in prison so he kindly rejects the offer.
At lease that’s what he’s willing to let Preiss believe.
Through happenstance, Kirk, will meet and befriend Gemma. The young man is currently working as a trapeze artist at the local circus and his hi flying skills and agility could prove very handy in Kirk’s blossoming scheme. All against the wishes of his wife who fears another long separation should Kirk get caught once again by Reinhard Kolldehoff who stars as the local Police Inspector keeping his eye on Douglas.
All the while Kirk is working with Gemma to teach him the art of safecracking, his young protege is at odds with one of Preiss’ goons, Romano Puppo. The two engage in a number of altercations and most memorably in a required car chase in the classic style of guerilla filmmaking that Eurocrime thrillers are known for. It’s outrageous but damned if it isn’t entertaining.
The public domain copy I picked up ages ago runs just under 96 minutes yet the IMDB lists the film at 112 minutes. Sadly that’s not surprising if you’ve tried to hunt down some of these genre pictures from overseas. Perhaps the missing footage might offer up why Preiss disappears from the film after his lone scene with Kirk and maybe why the planning stage seems a might too quick at times. With a little luck maybe Master Touch will get picked up for restoration by Arrow or Kino Lorber Studio Classics in it’s full 112 minute version.
Having started his directing career in Peplum adventures in the early 1960’s, Michele Lupo, had just directed Gemma in another 1972 release, the western Ben and Charlie. Following The Master Touch he’d work with another American actor who had found everlasting fame working abroad, Lee Van Cleef, in the entertaining crime drama, Mean Frank and Crazy Tony costarring Tony Lo Bianco and the popular sex siren, Edwige Fenech.
The eventual heist that Kirk pulls off could have used a little more drama and while Kirk is stealing enough money to retire on, he has Gemma pulling off a small time safecracking job at a pawn shop to serve as a cover operation that he intends to incriminate himself with. A minor job that will score him a minimal sentence in jail while Bolkan waits for him with enough cash for them to retire on.
At least that’s the plan. What Kirk doesn’t see coming is one hell of a good plot twist leading to a violent confrontation and shootout as the film comes to close.
The 1970’s offered little in the way of Kirk Douglas “classics” though there were a few memorable turns with movies like A Gunfight, Posse and The Fury. Master Touch was released overseas in 1972 but it took a couple of years to find a distributor in National General Pictures to reach North America. While the cast around Douglas is dubbed into English, thankfully he isn’t as was the case with some foreign titles and well known actors hitting North American theaters.
Costar Giuliano Gemma was by this time an acting veteran having appeared in numerous westerns, Bond knock-offs and crime dramas. On a side note I once was dealing with a client at my office who mentioned he was a fan of spaghetti westerns and specifically Gemma. He was quite surprised I knew exactly who he was talking about. Another feather in the cap of this self proclaimed movie buff.
As for Miss Bolkan, I’ve only seen a small handful of her film appearances including Lucio Fulci’s A Lizard In a Woman’s Skin but it’s her wonderful turn as a sexy temptress opposite Malcolm McDowell in 1975’s Royal Flash that I think of when her name comes up.
Two names that jump off the screen if you pay close attention to the opening credits for film aficionados are Ennio Morricone and Tonino Delli Colli. Morricone’s musical scores are legendary while Colli was a noted cinematographer. Both men worked with Leone on Good Bad and Ugly, Once Upon a Time in the West and the director’s swan song, Once Upon a Time in America among numerous other titles.
Thankfully Master Touch was released in here in North America which has allowed me to add the lobby card set and the original one sheet to my collection of all things Kirk Douglas here in the vault at Mike’s Take.
Mike's Take On the Movies 
Not seen this one but it sounds intriguing. In an amazing coincidence, considering how many films I watch, the last one I saw was a Michele Lupo film – a Franco & Ceccio parody of ‘Fistful of Dollars’ called ‘For A Fist in the Eye’ or ‘Fistful of Knuckles.’ It’s probably their best film, although that’s a very low bar, unless you’re a fan! Interesting what you say about the running time of this one – you sure the longer version isn’t 106 mins? I know the IMDB lists it at 112, but I’m sure I’ve seen it listed somewhere at 106….
I’ve not seen that Lupo film and yes I did think you meant Franco Nero briefly…LOL. On the time I’ve really no idea only what I had in my hands vs. the IMDB. Don’t have a Eurocrime encyclopedia guide book like I do spaghetti westerns (of which there are many) to check out the details on.
Don’t even remember this coming out. With Kirk’s name attached it should have got a release. I dug around a bit and found it was filmed under the title A Man to Respect. It was acquired by National General in May 1973 with a view to late U.S. summer release. But that never happened and in 1974 Warner Brothers picked it up. Variety reviewed it on May 8, 1974, but I can find no sign of it getting any playing time in the US. Possibly it went out on the lower half of a double bill.
If Warners picked it up and if they still retain ownership here in North America I’m surprised it hasn’t been put out on Warner Archive division (maybe I should double check) with Kirk involved. The movie poster I have does show the National General company on it so I’ve no idea. No mention his autobiography always make me wonder why it or other films are sometimes omitted. Bad memories? Who knows.
Whole bunch of films omitted in the Kirk Douglas autobiography. Careful curating of his life I guess. WB does have a burn-to-order section. This seems readily available in Britain on Ebay going for as little as £1.
I have seen this quite some years ago on TV and I fondly remember it as a gritty B with some real good location shooting. It is actually titled A MAN TO RESPECT, which is a far superior title than the one used overseas. I guess I should give it a watch some time again. I am sure it can be found on YT or other sites.
I’m not familiar with that title. Not surprised though as plenty of films from the 60’s and 70’s went through different titles in various countries and releases.
I saw this film in the theater as a little kid in 1972. I just saw it again. I didn’t quite understand it then, particularly the end, such as why Anna was leaving, but it’s entirely clear now, 50 years later! I am now looking at Google Street View to see Hamburg 50 years later. A little of it is still the same.
Correction: I saw it in August 1973. I’m trying to find the building that portrayed the office building. It seems like everyone in the film has passed away except Florinda Bolkan, who is 81 years old.
An enjoyable effort and still to this day I find it surprising that Kirk appeared in a Eurocrime effort. An actor goes where the work and cash is I suppose.