this overly long film be base on one of jack higgins first novel and he have write many book since and nearly all of them have be far well . john sturgis direct this and it be his final directorial effort . he have a very mixed career . his best be the magificent seven and his worst be maroon . this effort be closer to maroon than magnificent seven . tom mankiewicz adapt this from higgins novel and tom write many screenplay and sometimes the apple fall far from the tree . tom father be the award win director or writer joseph ( all about eve ) and his uncle herman and work with orson welles on citizen kane . the cast include some of the top star of 1976 ( year of release ) micheal caine and donald sutherland and robert duval and donald pleasance and larry hagman and treat william and also jenny aguiter and jean marsh plus others . nearly every one be either miscast or vastly change from the original novel . in the book they all be flesh and blood and you be able to care for each one . in the movie they all seem lifeless and listless . there be one needlessly extend action scene at the end . i can understand now why i miss this in 1976 and i should have realize or remember that it be not a good film . rating represent ( out of 4 ) 54 point ( out of 100 ) imdb 4 ( out of 10 ) .