The High Bright Sun (1965)

Set in 1957 during the EOKA uprising, a young American archaeologist (Susan Strasberg) is visiting the island of Cyprus and staying with Greek relatives. The family has ties with a national guerrilla organization that is fighting the British for independence. When she falls in love with a British intelligence officer (Dirk Bogarde), she finds her loyalties divided between the officer and her family. Based on the novel by Ian Stuart Black and directed by Ralph Thomas (DOCTOR AT SEA). The film can't hide its pro British leanings. While the Greek family Strasberg is staying with is portrayed sympathetically, the other Greek rebels are portrayed as terrorists. To be fair however, I didn't detect any traces of colonialism nostalgia. The romance between Bogarde and Strasberg doesn't come across as believable and Strasberg's character seems just a little too naive when it comes to understanding the predicament she's in. Otherwise, it's an agreeable political thriller although the film sidesteps any real political commentary. With George Chakiris, Denholm Elliott, Joseph Furst, Katherine Kath and Gregoire Aslan.