The Assassination Bureau (1969)

A woman causes a group of assassins to face their greatest challenge.

Director:

Basil Dearden

Writers:

Michael Relph (screenplay), Jack London (unfinished novel)

Stars:

Oliver Reed, Diana Rigg, Telly Savalas

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 1 nomination.

Cast

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
Katherine Kath	...	Mme. Lucoville
Olaf Pooley	...	Swiss Cashier

Storyline

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.

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Plot Keywords:

hitman | period drama | double cross | gondola | coffin | 

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Taglines:

Zeppelins. Bombs. Bordellos. Burials. You name it. We have it.

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Comedy | Crime | Thriller

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

Jack London's original novel was left markedly incomplete at the time of his death, and it was not until many decades later that the thriller-writer Robert L. Fish (also known as Robert L. Pike) finished it for publication, amidst much publicity. The novel is noticeably more serious in tone than this movie.

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Goofs

Obvious stunt double for Curd Jürgens in the wide shots of the fighting scene.

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Quotes

Ivan Dragomiloff: [appalled by her outfit] What on Earth?
Miss Winter: I am in mourning.
Ivan Dragomiloff: For your lost principles, I presume?

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Soundtracks

Students' Pledge Song
(uncredited)
Music by Ron Grainer
Lyrics by Hal Shaper

User Reviews

Holds up well over time

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.

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English French Italian

Release Date:

21 March 1969 (UK)

Also Known As:

The Assassination Bureau

Filming Locations:

Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Heathfield, Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1