The Hit (1984)

Ten years after ratting on his old mobster friends in exchange for personal immunity, two hit men drive a hardened criminal to Paris for his execution. However, while on the way, whatever can go wrong, does go wrong.

Director:

Stephen Frears

Writer:

Peter Prince

Stars:

Freddie Stuart, Ralph Brown, A.J. Clarke

Nominated for 1 BAFTA Film Award. Another 2 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Freddie Stuart	...	First Man
Ralph Brown	...	Second Man
A.J. Clarke	...	Third Man
Terence Stamp	...	Willie Parker
Lennie Peters	...	Mr. Corrigan
Bernie Searle	...	Hopwood (as Bernie Searl)
Brian Royal	...	Fellows
Albie Woodington	...	Riordan
Willoughby Gray	...	Judge
Jim Broadbent	...	Barrister
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)

Storyline

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.

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Plot Keywords:

trial | courtroom | 10 years later | kidnapping | briefcase | 

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Taglines:

A Journey to Destiny [Australia Theatrical]

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

Another British crime movie, The Business (2005), was also shot in Spain.

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Goofs

When Braddock tells Myron they'll go to Madrid, both Tim Roth and the cameraman are reflected in John Hurt's sunglasses.

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Quotes

[to Maggie]
Braddock: You've got birdshit in your hair.
[Maggie involuntarily touches her hair, revealing that she knows more English that she's admitting to]

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Connections

Featured in The Delivery Guy (2013)

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Soundtracks

We'll Meet Again
(uncredited)
By Ross Parker and Hugh Charles
Performed by Terence Stamp and other cast menbers

User Reviews

NOT THE USUAL TYPE OF "HIT"

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

• not on the lyrics of "Like A Virgin", but on their lives, their illusions, and the hand that fate has dealt them.

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.

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

8 March 1985 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Hit

Filming Locations:

Torre de Madrid, Spain

Box Office

Gross USA:

$876,775

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$876,775

Company Credits

Production Co:

Zenith Entertainment, Recorded Picture Company (RPC), Central Productions Ltd.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1