Nobody Runs Forever
Encyclopedia
Nobody Runs Forever also called The High Commissioner is a 1968 film directed by Ralph Thomas
based on Jon Cleary
's 1966 novel The High Commissioner. It stars Rod Taylor as Australian policeman Scobie Malone
and Christopher Plummer
as the Australian High Commissioner
in England caught up in corrupt dealings, during delicate negotiations. Taylor's production company was involved in making the film as was the American Selmur Productions.
Sergeant Scobie Malone
(Taylor) is summoned to Sydney by the Premier of New South Wales (Leo McKern
) who at the time was the controversial Sir Robert Askin
. The Australian High Commissioner in London, Sir James Quentin (Christopher Plummer) is wanted for a 25 year old murder charge, that the Premier, Quentin's gruff political rival, has discovered.
Upon arrival in London, Malone meets Lady Quentin (Lilli Palmer
) and her husband the sophisticated Sir James, as well as Sir James's secretary (Camilla Sparv
). Sir James offers no objection to the murder charges but demands several days before departure as he is conducting delicate peace negotiations. As Malone waits as a guest of the High Commissioner, he prevents assassination attempts against Quentin by a dangerous spy ring headed by Maria Cholon (Daliah Lavi
).
Filmed in Australia and London, the film was the last big screen appearance of Franchot Tone
who plays the American ambassador. Rod Taylor is memorable in one of the few roles where he played an Australian. He plays Malone as a tough single Outback
policeman unlike the married Sydney Detective Sergeant of the original books Taylor's unsophisticated integrity is contrasted with the London diplomatic scene throughout the film.
) is Rod's work.
Ralph Thomas
Ralph Thomas was an English film director, born in Hull. He is perhaps best known for directing the Doctor series of films....
based on Jon Cleary
Jon Cleary
Jon Stephen Cleary was an Australian author.-Biography:Cleary was born in Erskineville, Sydney. He wrote many books, among them The Sundowners , a portrait of a rural family in the 1920s as they move from one job to the next, and The High Commissioner , the first of a long series of popular...
's 1966 novel The High Commissioner. It stars Rod Taylor as Australian policeman Scobie Malone
Scobie Malone
Scobie Malone is a fictional Australian police detective created by Jon Cleary. Named after the jockey Scobie Breasley, he made his first appearance in Cleary's 1966 novel The High Commissioner. Cleary did not originally intend to create a series but brought the character back later for Helga's Web...
and Christopher Plummer
Christopher Plummer
Arthur Christopher Orne Plummer, CC is a Canadian theatre, film and television actor. He made his film debut in 1957's Stage Struck, and notable early film performances include Night of the Generals, The Return of the Pink Panther and The Man Who Would Be King.In a career that spans over five...
as the Australian High Commissioner
High Commissioner
High Commissioner is the title of various high-ranking, special executive positions held by a commission of appointment.The English term is also used to render various equivalent titles in other languages.-Bilateral diplomacy:...
in England caught up in corrupt dealings, during delicate negotiations. Taylor's production company was involved in making the film as was the American Selmur Productions.
Plot
New South Wales PoliceNew South Wales Police
The New South Wales Police Force is the primary law enforcement agency in the State of New South Wales, Australia. It is an agency of the Government of New South Wales within the New South Wales Ministry for Police...
Sergeant Scobie Malone
Scobie Malone
Scobie Malone is a fictional Australian police detective created by Jon Cleary. Named after the jockey Scobie Breasley, he made his first appearance in Cleary's 1966 novel The High Commissioner. Cleary did not originally intend to create a series but brought the character back later for Helga's Web...
(Taylor) is summoned to Sydney by the Premier of New South Wales (Leo McKern
Leo McKern
Reginald "Leo" McKern, AO was an Australian-born British actor who appeared in numerous British and Australian television programmes and movies, and more than 200 stage roles.-Early life:...
) who at the time was the controversial Sir Robert Askin
Robert Askin
Sir Robert William Askin GCMG, was an Australian politician and the 32nd Premier of New South Wales from 1965 to 1975, the first representing the Liberal Party of Australia. He was born in 1907 as Robin William Askin, but always disliked his first name and changed it by deed poll in 1971...
. The Australian High Commissioner in London, Sir James Quentin (Christopher Plummer) is wanted for a 25 year old murder charge, that the Premier, Quentin's gruff political rival, has discovered.
Upon arrival in London, Malone meets Lady Quentin (Lilli Palmer
Lilli Palmer
Lilli Palmer , born Lilli Marie Peiser, was a German actress. She won the Volpi Cup, the Deutscher Filmpreis three times, and was nominated twice for a Golden Globe Award.-Life and career:...
) and her husband the sophisticated Sir James, as well as Sir James's secretary (Camilla Sparv
Camilla Sparv
Camilla Sparv is a Swedish actress. She was briefly married to American film producer Robert Evans in 1965....
). Sir James offers no objection to the murder charges but demands several days before departure as he is conducting delicate peace negotiations. As Malone waits as a guest of the High Commissioner, he prevents assassination attempts against Quentin by a dangerous spy ring headed by Maria Cholon (Daliah Lavi
Daliah Lavi
Daliah Lavi is an Israeli actress, singer and model.Born in Shavei Zion, British Mandate of Palestine, she studied ballet in Stockholm, Sweden, where she appeared in her first film Hemsöborna...
).
Filmed in Australia and London, the film was the last big screen appearance of Franchot Tone
Franchot Tone
Franchot Tone was an American stage, film, and television actor, star of Mutiny on the Bounty and many other films through the 1960s...
who plays the American ambassador. Rod Taylor is memorable in one of the few roles where he played an Australian. He plays Malone as a tough single Outback
Outback
The Outback is the vast, remote, arid area of Australia, term colloquially can refer to any lands outside the main urban areas. The term "the outback" is generally used to refer to locations that are comparatively more remote than those areas named "the bush".-Overview:The outback is home to a...
policeman unlike the married Sydney Detective Sergeant of the original books Taylor's unsophisticated integrity is contrasted with the London diplomatic scene throughout the film.
Production
Rod Taylor accepted the role on the proviso he could rewrite some of the script. In particular, the opening scene where Scobie Malone arrests Jacko (Charles TingwellCharles Tingwell
In 1941, aged 18, he volunteered for war service overseas with the Royal Australian Air Force. Under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, personnel from Commonwealth air forces were part of a joint training and assignment system. Consequently, Tingwell trained as a pilot in Canada during 1942...
) is Rod's work.