Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
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Freddie Stuart | ... | First Man |
Ralph Brown | ... | Second Man | |
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A.J. Clarke | ... | Third Man |
Terence Stamp | ... | Willie Parker | |
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Lennie Peters | ... | Mr. Corrigan |
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Bernie Searle | ... | Hopwood (as Bernie Searl) |
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Brian Royal | ... | Fellows |
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Albie Woodington | ... | Riordan |
Willoughby Gray | ... | Judge | |
Jim Broadbent | ... | Barrister | |
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Manuel de Benito | ... | Juan (as Manuel De Benito) |
Juan Calot | ... | Priest | |
Enrique San Francisco | ... | Kidnapper (as Quique San Francisco) | |
Will More | ... | Kidnapper (as Joaquin Alonso) | |
José Luis Fernández 'Pirri' | ... | Kidnapper (as Jose Luis Fernandez) |
Ex-gangster Willie Parker (Terence Stamp) has betrayed his former "colleagues" and now lives in Spain where he thinks he can hide from their vengeance. But one day, ten years later, two hitmen (Braddock (Sir John Hurt) and Myron (Tim Roth)) show up and kidnap Willie. They are ordered to escort him back to Paris where he should stand trial. But it is a long way to Paris. Written by Harald Mayr <marvin@bike.augusta.de>
The basic plot of this film is fairly ordinary and the pace not exactly fast - anyone wanting non-stop Tarantino-style action may be disappointed. Yes, the film does contain violence but in between there are quieter moments where the characters are given time to reflect
Although each character is a stereotype and made to think and act accordingly, the unfolding chain of events forces each one (albeit briefly) to re-think and
re-evaluate his place in the scheme of things. It never gets too deep and meaningful (you sometimes get the impression it was supposed to), but it's refreshing to see characters normally shown as one-dimensional having fears, doubts and (sometimes!) even genuine human reactions.
The mixture of "gangsters on the run" and introspection would limit this films' appeal somewhat but it's a nice change from the normal action film . A word too for the great acting from the wonderfully eclectic cast - all strong character actors, contributing greatly to appeal of this movie.