The Destructors (1974)
"The Marseille Contract" (original title)

When a US intelligence agent (Anthony Quinn) is unable to bring a ruthless drug baron (James Mason) to justice, he resorts to hiring a contract killer. But the man he is put in contact with... See full summary »

Director:

Robert Parrish

Writer:

Judd Bernard

Stars:

Michael Caine, Anthony Quinn, James Mason

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michael Caine	...	John Deray
Anthony Quinn	...	Steve Ventura
James Mason	...	Jacques Brizard
Maurice Ronet	...	Inspector Briac
Alexandra Stewart	...	Rita
Maureen Kerwin	...	Lucienne
Catherine Rouvel	...	Brizard's Mistress
Marcel Bozzuffi	...	Calmet
Patrick Floersheim	...	Kovakian
André Oumansky	...	Marsac (as Andre Oumansky)
Georges Beller	...	Minierini
Jean-Louis Fortuit	...	Fortuit
Jerry Brouer	...	Kurt
Georges Lycan	...	Henri
Pierre Koulak	...	Wilson

Storyline

When a US intelligence agent (Anthony Quinn) is unable to bring a ruthless drug baron (James Mason) to justice, he resorts to hiring a contract killer. But the man he is put in contact with (Michael Caine) turns out to be an old friend.

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Plot Keywords:

drag racing | wine | ballroom dancing | poker game | merry go round | 

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Taglines:

April in Paris is a time for lovers...but for 'The Destructiors' It's the killing season!

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

UK France

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 September 1974 (France)

Also Known As:

The Destructors

Filming Locations:

Cannes, Alpes-Maritimes, France

Box Office

Budget:

$2,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Kettledrum Films, PECF

Technical Specs

Runtime:

89 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This film was released as "The Destructors" and is listed as such in "The Films of Anthony Quinn" written by Alvin Marill.

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Connections

Referenced in GoldenEye (1995)

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Soundtracks

"'Round Midnight"
Music by Thelonious Monk & Cootie Williams
Words by Bernard Hanighen (as Bernie Hanighen)
Performed by The Fellings Quartet

User Reviews

Charming thriller, without many thrills. Could have done better!

As a fan of Micheal Caine and of action thrillers from the seventies I was looking forward to watching this film. I'd listened to the wickedly funky soundtrack by Roy "Get Carter" Budd, and spent a while tracking down a copy of the film on VHS.

Firstly i'll deal with the good points. Marseille is a good location to film a thriller, think of French Connection 2 for example, and it is well used. I'm in love with the Citroen DS, especially in black, so I was pleased to see them used throughout the film. There's a playful "cat and mouse" car scene, which was later copied in a more OTT style by John Woo in MI:2! There are a few interesting killings. Caine looks very seventies cool.

Now for the not so good points. Budds soundtrack although is efficient, it is too efficient for my liking, i'd like to hear more of it in the film. The music never really gets going. There are a couple more chase scenes thrown in for good measure, but they are boring. The acting is very very average, as is the film.

In my opinion I think that the director should have made a decision to go with either A) A gritty, hard hitting thriller. Or B) A more tongue in cheek, stylish caper movie. This film has both qualities at certain points within the movie, but it doesn't have the mix right. This is a shame because it could have been much better, perhaps a bigger budget was needed, who knows.

So to sum up, if Michael Caine in various seventies fashions such as roll neck sweaters, giant aviator sunglasses, a smoking jacket with cravat and the odd kipper tie floats your boat, this is the move for you!