The Poppy Is Also a Flower

The Poppy Is Also a Flower is an international spy thriller movie from 1966, directed by Terence Young. Starring some of the biggest actors of the time - Senta Berger, Stephen Boyd, Yul Brynner, Angie Dickinson, and Trevor Howard, among others - the movie is based on a true story of the global narcotics trafficking, a topic that was both timely and controversial in the 1960s.

The story revolves around the efforts of the United Nations, specifically the UN Narcotics Bureau, to counter the spread of opium and other drugs around the world. More specifically, the movie follows the case of a massive poppy field in Iran, where a group of international criminals has established a drug manufacturing facility, using the local farmers as their minions.

Yul Brynner plays the role of the enigmatic UN agent known only as 'The Dutchman', who is tasked with infiltrating the poppy fields and gathering enough evidence to bring the criminals to justice. He teams up with the beautiful and resourceful photographer Maxine (Senta Berger), who uses her charm and intelligence to help him navigate the treacherous world of drug trafficking.

As they gather more information about the operations of the drug cartel, they realize that the problem is much bigger and more complex than they imagined. The poppy fields are just one of many links in a chain that stretches from the Middle East to Europe and beyond, involving corrupt politicians, criminal gangs, and even terrorist cells. The UN team has to act fast and use all their skills and resources to prevent the drugs from reaching the streets and causing more damage.

However, the closer they get to the truth, the more dangerous the mission becomes. They are constantly under threat of discovery and violence, and the stakes get higher with every step they take. Stephen Boyd plays the role of a local freedom fighter who assists the UN team in their work, but his loyalties are often in question, adding another layer of intrigue to the plot.

The Poppy Is Also a Flower is a movie that tries to balance the action and suspense of a spy thriller with the educational and social commentary of a documentary. Interspersed with scenes of shootouts and chases are lectures and discussions about the devastating effects of drug abuse on individuals and societies. The movie also makes a point of showing the human side of the drug problem, portraying the farmers who grow the poppies as victims of poverty and exploitation rather than as criminals themselves.

The film features beautiful landscapes and exotic locations, from the rugged mountains of Iran to the elegant streets of Vienna, and the cinematography captures both the beauty and the ugliness of the world of drug trafficking. The score, composed by Georges Delerue, adds an element of tension and emotion to the scenes, making the audience feel invested in the characters and their mission.

Overall, The Poppy Is Also a Flower is a flawed but effective movie that tries to raise awareness about a pressing issue while still entertaining its audience. It may not be as well known or critically acclaimed as some of the other spy thrillers of the era, but it still has its place in the history of cinema and as a piece of social commentary.