The Executioner (1970)

A British Intelligence Agent must track down a fellow spy suspected of being a double agent.

Director:

Sam Wanamaker

Writers:

Jack Pulman, Gordon McDonell (story)

Stars:

George Peppard, Joan Collins, Judy Geeson

Cast

Credited cast:
George Peppard	...	John Shay
Joan Collins	...	Sarah Booth
Judy Geeson	...	Polly Bendel
Oskar Homolka	...	Racovsky
Charles Gray	...	Vaughan Jones
Nigel Patrick	...	Colonel Scott
Keith Michell	...	Adam Booth
George Baker	...	Philip Crawford
Alexander Scourby	...	Prof. Parker
Peter Bull	...	Butterfield
Ernest Clark	...	Roper
Peter Dyneley	...	Balkov
Gisela Dali	...	Anna
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Stefan Gryff	...	Shay Cell Group Surrvior

Storyline

Explosive international intrigue results when British Intelligence Agent John Shay (George Peppard) suspects Adam Booth (Keith Michell), a colleague, of being a double-agent. Although Shay's superiors warn him against an investigation, he travels to Greece and Turkey in order to check out his suspicions. There, Shay becomes involved with the beautiful Sarah (Dame Joan Collins), who was once his lover, and is now Booth's wife. Before long, Shay realizes that he is being used as a Communist pawn, and has fallen into grave danger.

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Plot Keywords:

espionage | british | intelligence officer | undercover agent | greece | 

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Taglines:

An exciting espionage and spy thriller

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

GP

Did You Know?

Trivia

This movie is also one of only five cinema movies directed by Sam Wanamaker who mostly directed in television.

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Goofs

At the start of the film one of the dead victims lying by the empty swimming pool is startled and moves when the car explodes, with his head and arm moving.

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Quotes

John Shay: I thought you guys used Pentothal.
Balkov: We ran out.

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Crazy Credits

During the closing credits, in the background is the final scene showing a tower with a light that rotates, shining alternately green and white light. The credits change colors repeatedly as if the tower light is shining on them.

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Connections

Referenced in The Executioner's Song: An Interview with James Bryan (2015)

User Reviews

very unremarkable B movie

Unremarkable B British movie. I don't know if it is the director or the acting, but there is no energy in it. It is watchable (once). You can see a glimmer of the charisma Joan Collins can bring to a nighttime soap opera. The blonde girl was a bit whiny for my taste. The dresses for she and Joan Collins were outstanding. I saw a blue number I wouldn't mind wearing myself. The movie had potential, if in the right hands. It was relatively painless, but kind of flat. You didn't feel you were at the Parthenon even though they splurged on location shooting. The movie cover looks far more exciting than the movie itself. There were areas where there should have been music to set the mood, but there was silence. In the proper hands this movie could have been a classic.

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Movie Channel [United States]

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 May 1970 (Finland)

Also Known As:

Călăul

Filming Locations:

Athens, Greece

Company Credits

Production Co:

Ameran Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1