James Yuond's cousin The first series of “Bondiana” had a huge impact on world cinema, especially on the entertainment part of it. In the mid-60s of the last century, many studios and directors rushed to create something similar in the hope that a couple of rays of fame from the adventures of "Agent 007" will illuminate their creations. Some tried to “go out” on parody, others – on following the “spirit and letter” of the original, and still others, which include the creators of “The Mysteries of the Yellow Monks”, quite organically combined both approaches. That’s why this film, even now, after exactly 50 years (!!!), looks with interest and causes smiles “where it is necessary”, and not only where we see some funny archaicity. A bitter sigh from true connoisseurs of the genre causes only that, alas, such good, albeit secondary, obediently following in the wake of the super battleship James Bond films have long been not removed, and if they try, it would be better not to try!
Shortly enough about "The Secret..." The synopsis here consists of one sentence. That's right, that's enough! You will see the rest yourself, otherwise the whole intrigue will go to hell. Just pay attention to some significant points. Our “Bond” (superagent is unknown to whom and what, but before which the police authorities literally wander; and we are used to Hollywood movies that the local police just slows down and forbids the case!) looks like a natural “daddy” “with gray hair on the temples”, and not a womanizer with the Ukrainian name Zaderiyubka, as his famous prototype. He also behaves with his client (even throws in a night bar: “Let’s go, because my daughter is going to school soon”), but then he does. No, it's for 12+ viewers! The main villain in our case is nicknamed “The Eye”, he is quite traditional for his brethren from Bond’s “Spectre”, and also, it turns out, is not the most-most... It is curious that his pseudo-monks are armed with American assault rifles from the time of the Allied landings in Normandy and (like some policemen) Soviet "PPSh", the fire of which patriotically warmed my soul.
Naturally, the budget and scope of the picture is far from Bond. But this was enough to make it quality, exciting and... cute. Seven points, stable. Don’t be greedy for assessments and respect the 50-year-old anniversary!
7 out of 10