Danger: Diabolik (1968)

How did I ever miss this one? John Phillip Law is like a GOD to me. He was Sinbad in 'The Golden Voyage of Sinbad' my all-time favorite childhood movie. And here is is playing super thief/anti-hero Diabolik. The character is based on an Italian comic book by Angela Giussani and perfectly captures the late 60s vibe in European Cinema.

I totally got into the whole thing. I mean come on - sexy girl in boots (Eva), Cave of Cool like hideout, unbelievably slick and cat cool Diabolik.

I also love the Jaguar E's that the couple drive. Hers is white and his is black, just like the black fetish suit and mask Diabolik wears.


You can only imagine the frustration the police go through (especially Inspector Ginko) being bested by this man every time. He seems to be able to steal anything he wants anytime he wants. Elaborate deceptions and heightened security are no match for the cunning of Diabolik. For example, he can be right under their noses and release a laughing gas without anyone suspecting what he is done.

Diabolik's actions force the police to reinstate the death penalty and Inspector Ginko is given special powers to crack down on organized crime, specifically the mob boss Valmont and his criminal syndicate. Valmont of course blames Diabolik for all his 'discomfort' and promises to capture Diabolik to get the police off his back.


To Diabolik this is all just fun and games and only pushes him to perform more elaborate thefts. I suspect that Inspector Ginko admires the style of Diabolik who really is just a thief who steals from those who can afford it - government and criminals.

Eva is his perfect mate. She knows how much he loves to plan giant heists and since her birthday is coming up she asks him to steal an emerald necklace from the wife of the British finance minister who are visiting Italy on the eve of Eva's birthday.

Of course he succeeds but the next day she is captured by Valmont and it's up to our hero to save her. You would think it was his birthday. This 'mission' is another gift, another chance to plan the impossible rescue and escape for both himself and Eva.


When filmmakers today are looking for a fresh unique franchise they can't do wrong by making a series of movies about this character. You have all the elements to make a really cool James Bond style action thriller trilogy. Lock the stars into three movies and film them all at the same time. With James Cameron's new technology you could do the story in 3-D and give the audiences an unbelievable thrill ride while putting them right into the action. Just find someone who knows STORY to write the script.


I could do it. I should do it.