Danny and Davies part ways. Killer Elite is the latest action film to star Jason Statham . Of course this allows Sam to introduce a love interest (the therapist), as well as setting up a scene in which the two heads of the "company" inform him that his partner has gone rogue and that, oh by the way, due to his injuries he'll be given a demotion to a desk job. Its main characters are all amoral, their outlook is nihilistic and there's also plenty of cynicism. The Killer Elite was poorly served on DVD, given a paltry bare-bones offering by MGM. Some London scenes were filmed in Cardiffin July 2010, De Niro and Statham were seen filming outside The Promised Land Bar on Windsor Place. Sheikh Amr, a Sheikh and deposed king of a small region of Oman, wants Danny to kill three former SAS troopersSteven Harris, Warwick Cregg, and Simon McCann for killing his three eldest sons during the Dhofar Rebellion. There's some good action in this movie, but the story's not so great, and it's pretty boring for the most part. "[6] Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times gave the film 2.5 stars out of 4 and opened his review by stating, "Sam Peckinpah's 'The Killer Elite' is directed and acted with a certain nice style, but it puts us through so many convolutions of the plot that finally we just don't care. Killer Elite. The story investigates the friendship between Mike Locken (James Caan) and George Hansen (Robert Duvall), two of the high-class mercenaries working to protect VIPs and radical international diplomats. Collis has hired two separate hit squads, one led by Hansen and one led by ninja Negato Toku, to eliminate Chung after the first ambush attempt failed, an arrangement that Hansen dislikes but with which he reluctantly complies when Collis gives him the next opportunity to kill Chung. Peckinpah decides to spend considerable film time showing the operating room and then the physical therapy Caan suffers through. Mike Locken: Oh, are you crazy? His mission: kill three members of Britain's elite Special Air Service responsible for his sons' deaths. Cinemark Godfather co-stars James Caan and Robert Duvall star in one of Sam Peckinpah's [citation needed], The film marked the film debuts of Tom Clancy, better known as a singer and stage actor, and Tiana Alexandra, who was cast after karate expert Hank Hamilton, an advisor on the film, brought her to the producers' attention. By creating an account, you agree to the With the help of the inexperienced Jake, Meier kills McCann; however, Logan and his men were watching over McCann. It's no accident that this is a film in which the director stresses his auteurism with more than the usual self-consciousness (the words 'directed by' and 'Sam Peckinpah' are separated by an emphatic crosscut in the opening credits). No one mentions Killer Elite when they talk about Peckinpahmaybe they should. The following year, Danny is summoned to Oman to meet a handler known as The Agent. Every time I bring over a 70s flick, like this one, she complains that it's too slow and boring. James Caan and Robert Duvall star in Sam Peckinpah's tense, action-packed thriller that explores savagery and betrayal in the murky world of killers-for-hire. And casting Jason Statham and Clive Owen as characters on the different side of the same coin does not hurt even though the movie tilts in the direction of the absurdly sentimental killer. The film was shot in March and April 1974 in San Francisco, with additional filming on location in Los Angeles. Peckinpah's 'curate's egg' provides interesting insights, Peckinpah On The CIA And Foreign Intrigue. Well, it finally showed up- a tepid fight scene of some sort (aboard a ship, as I recall? Danny Bryce (Jason Statham), one of the world's deadliest special-ops agents, returns from self-imposed exile after his mentor, Hunter (Robert De Niro) is captured. The Killer Elite feels like a series of shots and scenes that wax and wane in connectedness to a plot that's also on shaky ground. The 35-year-old is only 34 runs away from achieving the milestone, having amassed 5,966 runs in 230 matches. Danny is shot when he becomes distracted after realising he has killed the man in front of the target's young child. Patrick, who went with her, survived, but spent two years in rehabilitation as he was unable to walk after the accident. That . "The Killer Elite" is a really, really annoying Sam Peckinpah film. [4] Robert De Niro filmed a scene in Melbourne's Spring Street set in 1970s Paris. Once back in England, Bryce recruits Davies(Dominic Purcell) and Meier(Aden Young), a couple of old pals. The Killer Elite looks excellent on Blu-ray. Supporting actors Bo Hopkins and Burt Young compliment what litle action there is. Find out where to watch online amongst 45+ services including Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video. The Killer Elite is a 1975 American action film directed by Sam Peckinpah, starring James Caan and Robert Duvall. In 1980, mercenaries Danny Bryce, Hunter, Davies and Meier are in Mexico to assassinate a man. And, although it was 1975 and the good guys sported guns, the ninjas were armed with swords!! else who hires them. After a long and painful recovery, Locken gets a gig to protect noble Asian politician Yuen Chung (well played by Mako) and a prime opportunity to exact revenge on Hansen. $29.99. 1975 Production Company. For some unknown reason the building blows up, and the trio make a getaway, riffing bravado and machismo all the way. This movie is certainly watchable enough but the movie at times falls flat with its story, that at times becomes quite ridicules. Peckinpah deals with his frequent themes of loyalty and honour, and there is some characteristic bloody action sequences, but frankly the script leaves a lot to be desired, the plot sometimes wanders off track, and some golden opportunities are missed. * Died while working as a construction worker. Danny's . Free shipping. To those not acquainted with the San Francisco bay area - the mothball fleet is just that - row upon row of rusting WWII transport ships all at anchor - the Navy decommissioned them and now has no idea of what to do with them. The cast also stars Mako, Arthur Hill, Bo Hopkins, Burt Young and Gig Young. Some shootings and a karate fight were cut. In this globe-trotting thriller, a former special ops agent is forced out of retirement when his mentor is kidnapped by a ruthless criminal. By this time, he was what he himself called "a functioning alcoholic." If this is what you like, you won't like this film. Every spy movie since has lifted something from this movie, as a matter of fact every action flick. In 1980, mercenaries Danny Bryce, Hunter, Davies and Meier are in Mexico to assassinate a man. This emphasis on fu fu is important as the CIA contacts the agency and asks for a team to shepherd a couple of Chinese politicos for a couple of days until they can return to China (why they came to SF in the first place, and why they will return is a Byzantine tale that frankly makes little to no sense whatsoever). Covering the globe from Australia to . He is the fourth-highest run-getter in the history of IPL. This is a really nicely shot film and that becomes even more apparent in high definition. Action, Original Language: Two professional killers employed by the C.I.A. Terms and Policies The mastermind behind the plot was changed from a Soviet-trained terrorist group called The Clinic to an Omani sheik who is inexplicably sent into exile after his three eldest sons die on jihad. The Video. Verified reviews are considered more trustworthy by fellow moviegoers. With a rather nice pedigree this 1975 film, directed by Sam Peckinpah and starring Robert Duvall and the then hot property James Caan, held the promise of something worth watching. Mike Locken (James Caan) and George Hansen (Robert Duvall) are good friends and private contractors for the CIA. The politician and his daughter escape, leading the way for our hero Mike Locken to be tabbed as suddenly suitable to work for the shadow elite squad again. Your Ticket Confirmation # is located under the header in your email that reads "Your Ticket Reservation Details". Killer Elite is a 2011 action thriller film starring Jason Statham, Clive Owen and Robert De Niro. Bu, when George gets a better offer from the competition, he turns on Mike, breaking his elbow and shoulder. Danny reassembles his former . Quantity. In England, Davies travels to a pub known to be frequented by British military personnel and questions bar patrons about former SAS members in Oman. Danny and Hunter head to Oman to give the sheikh the pictures. The 2.35:1 picture is refreshingly spotless and vibrant, as the element boasts appropriate detail and hides its considerable age. Locken recruits his old running buddies . and while on a case for them one of his friends turns on him and shoots him in the elbow and knee. The Killer Elite - Blu-ray Review: The original version of The Killer Elite arrives on region free Blu-ray from Imprint Films in its original 2.35.1 widescreen aspect ratio in AVC encoded 1080p high definition. Based on a shocking true story, Killer Elite pits two of the world's most elite operativesDanny, an ex-special ops agent and Hunter, his longtime mentoragainst the cunning leader of a secret military society. These negative comments I've read about this flick are cuuckie talk. Directed by Sam Peckinpah The Killer Elite cannot pass without a mention of the fact that it was the last collaboration between Peckinpah and Jerry Fielding (The Wild Bunch, Straw Dogs) who died way too young at 57 and who remains unheralded outside of film score aficionado circles. 2h 2m, Distributor: However, Miller shoots Hansen while he is distracted, killing him. ComTeg director Cap Collis refuses to put Locken back into the field again, assuming that he is only fit for a desk job. Locken telephones Weybourne and tells him about Collis' treachery. Young detaches the bomb while a cop decides whether to make an arrest, and then gives the cop the bomb with the observation that it looks like it's set to go off in two minutes. Davies and Meier agree to help Danny for a share of the money. The cop, foolishly brave, races away to throw the bomb into the bay, and our heroes escape but, curiously, Peckinpah never gives the scene a proper payoff. Get the freshest reviews, news, and more delivered right to your inbox! DVD reviews, news, specs, ratings, screenshots. 'The Killer Elite' reeks of compromise and therefore fails to completely satisfy. Your AMC Ticket Confirmation# can be found in your order confirmation email. External Reviews [1] One report suggests that Alexandra was only hired after Silliphant insisted that his work on the film was contingent on her hire. Caan is told by his handler that his former partner is now working for the "other side" and will be gunning for the sheep. Directed by the legendary Sam Peckinpah in between two of his best and most underrated movies ('Bring Me The Head Of Alfredo Garcia' and 'Cross Of Iron'), and re-teaming James Caan and Robert Duvall, co-stars of 'The Godfather', I was sure that this was going to be one of those great lost 70s gems like 'Rolling Thunder' or 'The Yakuza'. It is considered to be among the first American films to feature ninjas. They are called the "feather men" because their influence and intervention were subtle, like the touch of a feather. Danny reassembles his former team of skilled commandos to launch a rescue mission, and also to infiltrate the highly feared military unit, the British Special Air Service. $30.98. Killer Elite: Directed by Gary McKendry. Action. Even worse is that they are all SAS and trained to resist torture. Covering the globe from Australia to Paris, London and the Middle East . When his mentor is taken captive by a disgraced Arab sheik, a killer-for-hire is forced into action. In a nod to the kung fu rage of the early 70's, Caan's recovery involves him turning to martial arts, becoming especially adept at using his cane (hmm, Caan's cane, or is it Canes' Caan - or maybe I'm still hearing Will Shatner yelling Kaaaaaaahn). Soon, he is informed by the Agent that there is one last man who participated in the sheikh's sons' murders and that this man, Ranulph Fiennes, is about to release a book about his experiences in the SAS. Collis appears and offers Locken a bribe, but Locken shoots him in the arm and kneecap, using the same lines that Hansen gave him when he betrayed him. He said, "No other movie has taught me as much about human dignity as The Killer Elite. There is some slight noise and posterization early on in a dark scene, but otherwise, we are given a natural and filmic presentation with good colors and flesh tones. This Peckinpah thriller is poorly plotted, sometimes confusing and generally doesn't hit the mark. In the book, "The Clinic" tried to ambush him at his farmhouse in, This page was last edited on 18 April 2023, at 12:23. Then the screen widens and we see Caan, and Duvall jumping into a car along with their "sheep" (think of the pair as shepherds, protecting the sheep until sheering). Danny is shot when he becomes . The whole film was pointless and messy. Open Road, Production Co: See production, box office & company info, Decent enough spy/espionage action thriller, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Episode #19.214. In exchange for Hunter's life and six million dollars, he wants Bryce to kill the men who killed three of his sons. A rote, utterly disposable Jason Statham vehicle that just happens to have Clive Owen and Robert De Niro in it. Coming Soon. Sam Peckinpah's "The Killer Elite" is directed and acted with a certain nice style, but it puts us through so many convolutions of the plot that finally we just don't care. By using this site, you agree to our updated. Before their sheep can be turned over to the paying party, things go terribly wrong and Caan gets capped in both elbow and knee. By the mid-1970s, the career of director Sam Peckinpah had basically hit the skids. Anyhow, this gives Sam the opportunity to do some nice camera work, but the following fight between several opposing forces and involves ninjas as well as a calling out and sword fight between the two Chinese political rivals, is way over the top. Plus, if it's not too much trouble, he also wants it to look like accidents and for them to confess. He explains that he is working for Collis and argues that the shooting of Locken was not personal. Mascot Pictures Corporation, Killer Elite is a 2011 action film starring Jason Statham, Clive Owen, Robert De Niro, Yvonne Strahovski, and Dominic Purcell. Danny returns to Oman and gives the sheikh the last confession, which he has faked. Action, Starring: James CaanRobert DuvallGig Young. The film is based on the 1991 novel The Feather Men by Sir Ranulph Fiennes, and is directed by Gary McKendry. OK, I can surely buy that, and it sounds almost prescient coming from 1975. 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