Storyline

When a U.S. Intelligence Agent is unable to bring a ruthless drug baron to justice, he resorts to hiring a contract killer. But the man with whom he is put in contact turns out to be an old friend.

Plot Keywords

marseille, wine, washing hands, switchblade, skyscraper, poker, poker game, morgue, merry go round, hired killer, drag racing, classical music, bowling alley, ballroom dancing, drug smuggling, murder, riviera, city name in title, taxi, phone booth

Short Review

Not a lost classic but what a cast! This Anglo-French co-production has Anthony Quinn playing a burnt-out DEA agent assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Paris (basically a more sympathetic version of the cop he played in Across 110th Street). His target is a very successful Heroin dealer played by James Mason (basically being a variation of the master criminal he played in North By Northwest) . Every agent the DEA has sent to investigate Mason and his organization has been killed and Quinn is relegated to a desk job by his superiors. After a failed attempt on his life, Quinn hires a professional assassin played by Michael Caine (playing a less psychotic and more likable variation of his Get Carter character). That is the basic plot. The positive points are the performances of the three professional actors in the lead roles; a Sepia-quality to the film that posits it in the 1970s; great use of Marseilles and Paris locales; and some really great moments such as when Quinn and Mason (whose characters have never met but are fully aware of each others existence) spot each other at a charity event and recognize each other immediately. Unfortunately, character development is limited. It turns out Quinn and Caine's characters are old friends; many sources say that they are old War buddies but the script does not establish when and where these men met in the past. Lots of chase scenes and fights that do not add anything to the Action genre are not particularly spectacular (apart from a flirtatious chase between Caine and Catherine Rouvel in sports cars in the hills above Marseilles which was unique). Not a lost classic but a worthy Anglo-British attempt at a Eurocrime Thriller.

Trailer

Streaming Service

1. Amazon Video : Rent from $1.99, Or $0.00 with a Prime membership