While watching Modesty Blaise I realized I had read the book. It was one of the detective paperbacks with racy covers I accessed by sneaking into my parent's bedroom closet 40 or so years ago. So far as the film goes I think the greatest likelihood is the crew was buzzed during most of the filming. That would account for the chaos of plot, script and action wasting Vitti and Stamp's considerable talents. They had to know in editing what a mess was on their hands. I don't remember the release so it probably died a quick and well deserved death.
Review of Modesty Blaise
