This 1968 production has a great blend of cast and the outline of the film is well described in the comments of bampton. where Scobie Malone, an Australian outback detective Sargent is summoned by the Premier of New South Wales to go to London and safely escort an Australian diplomat(Christopher Plummer) back to Australia. Scobie(played by Rod Taylor) is annoyed to go to Sydney (the capital city of the state of New South Wales) after having just returned from there. This scene of when he is summoned also shows a unique and beautiful background of outback Australia at that time.
Rod Taylor plays the part of a rugged bushman exceptionally well, as he is outspoken, grumpy and speaks his mind without too much concern as to who may be present. I even like his Australian accent as it stands out at the London banquet amongst the upper class English gentlemen in their tuxedo, who pay more attention to their etiquette as they are tensely worried by his unpredictable outbursts of free speech. In contrast to his role in Time Machine" where he is much more docile and well spoken. This is what I believe makes a good actor, especially with the extreme diverse roles that they can perform and I believe that Rod Taylor performs brilliantly.
There is also a scenery of a tennis match at Wimbledon between an Australian and an Englishman where Scobie boasts to them that Australia is in front. Yet, Scobie also shows his Australian charm as he is a real softy at heart and his bark is louder than his bite, but is also an outstanding policeman where he surprises all those that underestimate his police skills purely by judging a book by it's cover.
Without giving too much away, I do recommend this movie and should be judged fairly as it is a late 1960's production and should not be compared to modern cinema. I do enjoy repeats of it as it seems to be more inspiring . A brilliant blend of cast which also include Leo McKern, Lilli Palmer and Charles Bud Tingwell. Worth watching!!!!
