The Killer Elite (1975)

Director:

Sam Peckinpah

Writers:

Marc Norman (writer)
Robert Rostand (novel)

Release Date:

19 December 1975 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Thriller | Action

Tagline:

MEN WANTED. Private company with C.I.A. contract seeks men willing to risk life. Perfect physical condition. Experience with weaponry, incendiaries, Karate/Judo. No loyalties. No dependents. Long career doubtful.

Plot:

Mike Locken is one of the principle members of a group of freelance spies. A significant portion of their work is for the C.I.A...

Plot Keywords:

Slow Motion | Female Nudity | Assassination | Secret Organization | Shot In The Knee

Cast

James Caan	...	Mike Locken
Robert Duvall	...	George Hansen
Arthur Hill	...	Cap Collis
Bo Hopkins	...	Jerome Miller
Mako	...	Yuen Chung
Burt Young	...	Mac
Gig Young	...	Lawrence Weyburn
Tom Clancy	...	O'Leary
Tiana Alexandra	...	Tommie (as Tiana)
Walter Kelley	...	Walter
Kate Heflin	...	Amy
Sondra Blake	...	Josephine
Carole Mallory	...	Rita
James Wing Woo	...	Tao Yi
George Cheung	...	Bruce (as George Kee Cheung)

Runtime:

122 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Netherlands:12 | France:U | Argentina:16 | Australia:M | Canada:14A (video rating) | Finland:K-18 | New Zealand:R16 | Norway:16 (1976) | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:PG | West Germany:16

Filming Locations:

Bethlehem Steel Pier, San Francisco, California, USA

Company:

Exeter Associates

Trivia:

In preparation for the film, 'Robert Duvall (I)' and 'James Caan' took lessons in mastering their characters' skills with Duvall taking lessons in using a rifle with infra-red scope and Caan learning to disarm the film's villains with the use of a cane.

Goofs:

Factual errors: The opening disclaimer mentions an interview with character Lawrence Weyburn that took place on September 31, 1975. There are only 30 days in September.

Quotes:

Cap Collins: Weyburn will never put you back in harness. No way, Mike. And, uh, if you don't mind, don't drop around the shop, huh? The higher-ups don't like it, and it makes the boys nervous, y'know, clump-clumping around. Doesn't fit in with the Muzak.

Movie Connections:

Featured in The Slanted Screen (2006)

Unsuccessful Peckinpah revenge thriller. Overlong and uneven but still interesting.

I have been trying to find 'The Killer Elite' for quite some time. Directed by the legendary Sam Peckinpah in between two of his best and most underrated movies ('Bring Me The Head Of Alfredo Garcia' and 'Cross Of Iron'), and re-teaming James Caan and Robert Duvall, co-stars of 'The Godfather', I was sure that this was going to be one of those great lost 70s gems like 'Rolling Thunder' or 'The Yakuza'. Sadly, it isn't. Now I know Peckinpah often suffered studio interference and rarely got to get a movie on screen with his vision uncompromised, so I can only assume this is the case here. Caan, who is always watchable no matter what he is in, plays a CIA operative who is betrayed by his partner, Duvall (who only has a small supporting role to be honest). Wounded and written off by his bosses, he is manipulated into guarding an Asian politician (Mako, best known for the 'Conan' films) who Duvall is trying to assassinate. Caan and his hand-picked team (Peckinpah regular Bo Hopkins, and Burt Young of 'Rocky' fame) carry out there task in good faith until it becomes increasingly obvious that they are being used. Peckinpah deals with his frequent themes of loyalty and honour, and there is some characteristic bloody action sequences, but frankly the script leaves a lot to be desired, the plot sometimes wanders off track, and some golden opportunities are missed. 'The Killer Elite' reeks of compromise and therefore fails to completely satisfy. But hey, even neutered Peckinpah is still Peckinpah, and just about everything he directed wipes the floor with most of Hollywood's current lame output, so I still say give this one a try. For all its flaws it still stars James Caan, one of the most underrated actors of his generation, and even that in itself is enough to keep me watching.