Absolutely a strange, strained mish-mash that a number of IMBD reviewers seem to like for the manic energy that seeps out around its edges. As most of the pro reviewers note (in concurrence with you), the film would be much, much better if someone other than Desmond was occupying his slot--the weakness of his work is magnified when it's seen against the solid menace of Richard Devon, who has the face and mannerisms of a first-rate villain but was a bit too cold overall, thus lacking the charisma to make the leap into "A" pictures. (His consolation: steady work on sixties/seventies TV.)