Who Is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe? (1978)

One by one, the greatest Chefs in Europe are being killed. Each chef murdered in the same manner that their own special dish is prepared in. Food critics and the (many) self-proclaimed greatest Chefs in Europe demand the mystery be solved.

Director:

Ted Kotcheff

Writers:

Nan Lyons (novel), Ivan Lyons (novel)

Stars:

George Segal, Jacqueline Bisset, Robert Morley

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 2 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
George Segal	...	Robby Ross
Jacqueline Bisset	...	Natasha
Robert Morley	...	Max
Jean-Pierre Cassel	...	Kohner
Philippe Noiret	...	Moulineau
Jean Rochefort	...	Grandvilliers
Gigi Proietti	...	Ravello (as Luigi Proietti)
Stefano Satta Flores	...	Fausto Zoppi
Madge Ryan	...	Beecham
Frank Windsor	...	Blodgett
Peter Sallis	...	St. Claire
Tim Barlow	...	Doyle
John Le Mesurier	...	Dr. Deere
Joss Ackland	...	Cantrell
Jean Gaven	...	Salpetre

Storyline

Blessed with a delicate tongue and a biting wit, Max Vandervere, revered editor of Epicurus Magazine, has chosen the courses for the world's most fabulous meal and the four chefs who created them. Among them are the ravishing Natasha O'Brien, famed for her pastry, and Louis Kohner, whose baked pigeons are nonpareil. Murder suddenly darkens the gourmet world when Louis is found baked to death in London and suspicion falls on Natasha and her ex-husband Robby Ross, a fast-foods franchiser who is trying to convince the great chefs of Europe to lend their names to his chain of omelet shops. Max then sends Natasha to Venice to interview renowned lobster chef Fausto Zoppi for a fish course, but he, too, is found dead, drowned in his lobster tank. Clearly, the murders are connected to Max's ultimate menu.

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Plot Keywords:

woman wearing only a man's shirt | fat man | morbid obesity | reference to wallis simpson | vegetarian restaurant | 

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Taglines:

The mystery-comedy that tastes as good as it looks.

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Mystery

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

Final theatrical feature film (uncredited) of actor Ronald Leigh-Hunt.

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Quotes

Max: Don't tell me another cook has been murdered! Who is it this time, Aunt Jemima?

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Connections

Referenced in Law & Order: Criminal Intent: Probability (2003)

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Soundtracks

La Paloma
(uncredited)
Music by Sebastián Yradier
Arranged by Jack Hayes

User Reviews

Feasting any way you look at it

I noted that the only award recognition that Who Is Killing The Great Chefs Of Europe was from the Golden Globes with nominations for Jacqueline Bisset as Best Actess and Robert Morley as Best Supporting Actor. That was a mistake because this film is totally dominated by Robert Morley giving him a great role to chew on literally.

During the Sixties and Seventies Robert Morley became an international symbol of the United Kingdom with his commercials for British Airways and his promise that 'we'll take very good care of you' made to the world. I have no doubt that the films he appeared in and some of them were dreadful got a bit more revenue at the box office with Morley's appearances. But this film is far from dreadful.

In fact if you like Robert Morley this film is a treat for his fans everywhere. In this black comedy Morley plays a food critic who has the first requisite of being a food critic, he loves to eat. And he's got the girth to prove it. But along with all that good eating comes some health problems and his doctor says he has to go on a diet or else.

Right after that several of the chefs around Europe whose dish specialties have become Morley's favorites start dying in some very bizarre ways. On the list is Jacqueline Bisset whose specialty is pastries as desserts and there is a special method of dispatch earmarked for her.

Never fear Jackie has a protector in George Segal who is restaurateur/tycoon and coincidentally happens to be once married to Bisset. Can Segal figure it out, can the police figure it out, can he save the last of the great chefs?

For all that you must watch the film. But I guarantee that the laughs are there, the European photographed scenery is great, and Robert Morley is in top form. For his fans especially, this film is a must. Definitely in the top five of his best roles.

Details

Official Sites:

Bavaria Film [Germany]

Country:

West Germany USA Italy France

Language:

English French

Release Date:

13 September 1978 (France)

Also Known As:

Who Is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe?

Filming Locations:

Hotel Danieli, Venice, Veneto, Italy

Company Credits

Production Co:

Aldrich Company, Lorimar Productions, Geria Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

112 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (MGM Color)

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1