The Hit (1984)

Ten years later, 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 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 and Myron) 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:

spain | road movie | neo noir | british renaissance | philosophical | 

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Taglines:

Even Bad Guys Have Bad Days.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

8 March 1985 (USA)

Also Known As:

Tilinteon hetki

Filming Locations:

Torre de Madrid, Spain

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$8,211, 10 March 1985, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$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

Did You Know?

Trivia

Star Billing: Sir John Hurt (first), Tim Roth (second), Laura del Sol (third), Terence Stamp (fourth), Bill Hunter (fifth) and Fernando Rey (sixth).

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Goofs

Various crew members reflected in Tim Roth's sunglasses when Myron tells Braddock 'He's up to something' during their stop at the windmills.

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Quotes

Willie: I'll tell you something I read once, Myron. Apparently, what happens to you after death is not all that much different from what happens to you before death. Physically speaking. All part of the same process. You know? So if it's all the same, really, what's there to worry about?

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Connections

Featured in Raznoschik (2013)

User Reviews

The killers were almost perfect in the British film "The Hit"directed by Stephen Frears.

There are various ways to describe the British film "The Hit". For many, it might be interpreted as a comedy film. Some viewers might think of it as a thriller film. There might also be viewers who might like to view it as a road movie. There could also be liberal views which could state that it is a fine as well as well balanced mix of all kinds of different genres. Making good use of picturesque locations found in Spain, director Stephen Frears has made a film about criminals and their desire to take revenge. It is at this juncture that viewers learn that a kidnapping and an act of killing have gone completely wrong. It is not only the British people in Spain who are ridiculed for the viewers. It is also the turn of Spanish side to face ridicule as its police force always comes to the scene of crime late. As a 'road movie' this film boasts of good views of rural Spain. Apart from fine performances by leading actor John Hurt, Terence Stamp and Tim Roth, there is a mellifluous soundtrack by Paco de Lucia. It is a good idea to popularize this film which is not so much known by many admirers of good quality British cinema in England and elsewhere.