The Hit (1984)

User Rating:

7.0/10   

Director:

Stephen Frears

Writer:

Peter Prince (writer)

Release Date:

8 March 1985 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

A Journey to Destiny [Australia Theatrical]

Plot:

Ex-gangster Willie Parker has betrayed his former "colleagues" and now lives in Spain where he thinks he can hide from their vengeance...

Plot Keywords:

Spain | Road Movie | Revenge | Philosophical | Hitman

Awards:

Nominated for BAFTA Film Award. Another 2 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

John Hurt	...	Braddock
Terence Stamp	...	Willie Parker
Tim Roth	...	Myron
Laura del Sol	...	Maggie
Bill Hunter	...	Harry
Fernando Rey	...	Senior policeman
Freddie Stuart	...	First Man
Ralph Brown	...	Second Man
A.J. Clarke	...	Third Man
Lennie Peters	...	Mr. Corrigan
Bernie Searle	...	Hopwood (as Bernie Searl)
Brian Royal	...	Fellows
Albie Woodington	...	Riordan
Willoughby Gray	...	Judge
Jim Broadbent	...	Barrister

Runtime:

98 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English | Spanish

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Australia:MA (alternate rating) | Australia:M | Finland:K-16 | Norway:15 | UK:18 | USA:R | West Germany:16

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Company:

Central

Trivia:

Joe Strummer was originally considered for the part of Myron, but his band mates (in The Clash) nixed the idea. Strummer then recommended Tim Roth for the part based on his appearance as "Trevor the Skinhead" in the TV movie Made in Britain (1982) (TV). "The Hit" was the 22 year old Roth's first theatrical feature and won him a BAFTA Award for Best Newcomer.

Quotes:

[in court, the barrister is asking Willie who took part in a robbery]
Willie: Riordan, Fellows and Mr Corrigan.
Barrister: Not Hopwood?
Willie: No, sir. I think Lennie had flu that day.
[chuckles]
Willie: Or cold feet!

John Hurt and Tim Roth make a wonderful team.

The writing and acting are outstanding -all the characters are imbued with distinct three-dimensional personalities. The humor is very dry, and there's a deep sense of irony that pervades this film. The thrust of the script, I feel, outlines how human intellect and instinct constantly play a game of one-upsmanship, and the nature of life is, ultimately, unpredictable and beyond our control. A personal favorite.