Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Oliver Reed | ... | Ivan Dragomiloff | |
Diana Rigg | ... | Sonya Winter | |
Telly Savalas | ... | Lord Bostwick | |
Curd Jürgens | ... | Gen. von Pinck (as Curt Jurgens) | |
Philippe Noiret | ... | Monsieur Lucoville | |
Warren Mitchell | ... | Herr Weiss | |
Beryl Reid | ... | Madame Otero | |
Clive Revill | ... | Cesare Spado | |
Vernon Dobtcheff | ... | Baron Muntzof | |
Annabella Incontrera | ... | Eleanora Spado | |
Kenneth Griffith | ... | Monsieur Popescu | |
Jess Conrad | ... | Angelo | |
George Coulouris | ... | Swiss Peasant | |
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Katherine Kath | ... | Mme. Lucoville |
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Olaf Pooley | ... | Swiss Cashier |
The Assassination Bureau has existed for decades (perhaps centuries) until Sonya Winter (Dame Diana Rigg) begins to investigate it. The high moral standing of the Bureau (only killing those who deserve it) is called into question by her. She puts out a contract for the Bureau to assassinate its leader on the eve of World War I. Written by John Vogel <jlvogel@comcast.net>
This charming film, made when Oliver Reed and Diana Rigg were at the height of their appeal, is what they used to call a "romp", when it wasn't considered to be a putdown. Reed, as Ivan, born and bred to lead an international group of highly-placed assassins, is hired by would-be reporter Sonia (Rigg) to have his group kill him, and realizing that his house badly needs some cleaning out, Ivan accepts the commission. The rest is a whirlwind tour of Europe, taking out substantial portions of the terrain as they go, avoiding bungled attempts on his life as he tries to track down the traitors who would turn the Bureau into a political machine. The dialogue is refreshingly devoid of political correctness, but maintains a firm respect between the unlikely couple as they go from bickering rivalry to bickering fondness. Guest villains include Clive Revill as a gluttonous Italian, and sad stories include the accidental demise of Roger Delgado (Dr. Who, the first Master) while on location. Much worth the time and effort, although sadly almost never seen on TV, and abysmally represented in video release.