Callan (1974)

David Callan, top agent/assassin for the S.I.S., was forced to retired because he had lost his nerve. Now, Callan is called back into service to handle the assassination of Schneider, a ... See full summary »

Director:

Don Sharp

Writers:

James Mitchell (screenplay), James Mitchell (novel)

Stars:

Edward Woodward, Eric Porter, Carl Möhner

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Edward Woodward	...	David Callan
Eric Porter	...	Hunter
Carl Möhner	...	Schneider
Catherine Schell	...	Jenny
Peter Egan	...	Toby Meres
Russell Hunter	...	Lonely
Kenneth Griffith	...	Waterman
Michael Da Costa	...	The Greek (as Michael da Costa)
Veronica Lang	...	Liz, Hunter's Secretary
Clifford Rose	...	Dr. Snell
David Prowse	...	Arthur (as Dave Prowse)
Don Henderson	...	George
Nadim Sawalha	...	Padilla
David Graham	...	Wireless operator
Yuri Borionko	...	Security porter (as Yuri Borienko)

Storyline

David Callan, top agent/assassin for the S.I.S., was forced to retired because he had lost his nerve. Now, Callan is called back into service to handle the assassination of Schneider, a German businessman. His former boss promises Callan that he'll be returned to active status if he follows orders, but as always Callan refuses to act until he knows why Schneider has been marked for death. This film is a remake of the same story presented in "A Magnum for Schneider."

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Plot Keywords:

remake | spy | sequel | independent film | based on novel | 

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Taglines:

Your favourite undercover agent blasts the big screen

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Genres:

Thriller

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

1974 (UK)

Also Known As:

The Neutralizer

Filming Locations:

Lee International Studios, Wembley, London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Magnum Films, Syn-Frank Enterprises

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The possibility of a film version had been raised within a month of the teleplay's original transmission in February 1967, possibly as a German production.

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Goofs

The events of the film refer to the attempt on Schneider's life as taking place on Sunday 22nd October, which would date the film to 1972. The tax disc on his car, however, is dated Nov 73. This is also verified by a newsstand reference to Royal Wedding pictures - this was the marriage of Princess Anne to Captain Mark Phillips, also in November 1973.

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Quotes

Hunter: Did you rebuke Lonely?
David Callan: [depressed] Yes.
Hunter: Sufficiently?
David Callan: [angry] He thinks so!

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Connections

Follows Armchair Theatre: A Magnum for Schneider (1967)

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Soundtracks

"Bonnie Blue Flag"
(uncredited)
Traditional
Arranged by Marcus Dods

User Reviews

Tough,no-nonsense spy story

An acceptable expansion of the pilot episode of the celebrated TV spy series,CALLAN benefits from Edward Woodward's memorable characterisation of an unglamourous,seedy and brutish secret agent David Callan,helped and hindered by his even seedier sidekick,smelly petty crook Lonely,superbly played by Russell Hunter.Although not quite as good as the TV series,this film version is still very watchable and efficiently directed by Don Sharp,with a few interesting frisson's added,most notably Callan's ferocious disposal of a gangster's hit-man(played by Dave Prowse,later to become Darth Vader's physical form.As with Star Wars,Prowse's Bristol accent is dubbed over here as well)and the gangster's subsequent use for virtual human experimentation,which Callan observes to his disgust and horror.The series was always interesting for Callan's frequent clashes with his superiors,made more strident because of his working-class background;his colleagues were invariably upper middle-class,public schoolboys,as typified by the vindictive bully Toby Meres,played here by Peter Egan.Egan is adequate in the role but lacks the extra toughness,wit and humour provided by Anthony Valentine in the TV series(Peter Bowles played Meres in the pilot),and his boss 'Hunter',played in this film version by Eric Porter; the best 'Hunter' of all in the TV series was probably William Squire.

Many UK TV shows had film versions produced in the 1970's,mostly sitcoms like ON THE BUSES,LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR,MAN ABOUT THE HOUSE,etc. These and others were mostly dismal but CALLAN works far better despite having to add more footage from the original TV pilot,and works as a taut,terse and respectable film version of an excellent TV original.

RATING:6 and a half out of 10.