The Marseille Contract

All I knew was the cast of The Destructors before I started watching it. How could a film starring Michael Caine, Anthony Quinn, and James Mason be bad? Thankfully, I wasn't disappointed. It's an extremely entertaining movie with three powerhouse actors making the most of their roles.

The start of the film shows Anthony Quinn and his lover Alexandra Stewart getting dressed after a liaison. They seem to have a loving chemistry together, but then she mentions having to go home and relieve the babysitter—she's married. It's a perfect warning for the audience because nothing's as it seems throughout the film. Tony is a policeman, and he's continually frustrated by a drug lord's escaping the legal system. Not only does the villain peddle massive amounts of drugs in and out of the country, but he and his henchman murder without any provable trace that they're responsible. Tony's fed up and decides to take matters into his own hands by hiring a hit-man.

Even more than I love the performances of the three leads—which are very good—I love Judd Bernard's screenplay. He introduces each character with a uniquely interesting scene that helps the audience gain an accurate picture. There are so many scenes I'd love to describe in hopes of getting you hooked on the premise, from the meaningful, tension-filled scenes between Tony and Alexandra to the introduction of Tony to Michael Caine—it's natural yet nerve-wracking. Both Tony and Michael are particularly yummy in this film, if you happen to think either of them is handsome like I do. James Mason has a few miles on him, but he's classy and almost regal-looking, and his sensitive expressions outweigh any bad behavior he might be getting into. If you like any of the three actors, European-styled films, thrillers with bad boys, or want to see the famous ten-minute car chase seduction that so many films have subsequently copied, rent The Destructors for a very fun weekend movie night.

The plot sounds intriguing and we know Caine can play a hit man, but he lacks any of the bite we saw as Harry Palmer. It was his mega busy period, and this was appears to have been just another gig.

James Mason is underused, having little to do,and Anthony Quinn, despite sharing several scenes with Caine, appears to be in a different film. He looks ill at ease throughout, and a nonsensical plot twist undermines his honest cop routine.

Considering the salary bill for just these three the studio could surely have hired a director who could breath some sort of life into the limp script, hang on, why was it green lighted with that script at all? A waste.

As a fan of Micheal Caine and of action thrillers from the seventies I was looking forward to watching this film. I'd listened to the wickedly funky soundtrack by Roy "Get Carter" Budd, and spent a while tracking down a copy of the film on VHS.

Firstly i'll deal with the good points. Marseille is a good location to film a thriller, think of French Connection 2 for example, and it is well used. I'm in love with the Citroen DS, especially in black, so I was pleased to see them used throughout the film. There's a playful "cat and mouse" car scene, which was later copied in a more OTT style by John Woo in MI:2! There are a few interesting killings. Caine looks very seventies cool.

Now for the not so good points. Budds soundtrack although is efficient, it is too efficient for my liking, i'd like to hear more of it in the film. The music never really gets going. There are a couple more chase scenes thrown in for good measure, but they are boring. The acting is very very average, as is the film.

In my opinion I think that the director should have made a decision to go with either A) A gritty, hard hitting thriller. Or B) A more tongue in cheek, stylish caper movie. This film has both qualities at certain points within the movie, but it doesn't have the mix right. This is a shame because it could have been much better, perhaps a bigger budget was needed, who knows.

So to sum up, if Michael Caine in various seventies fashions such as roll neck sweaters, giant aviator sunglasses, a smoking jacket with cravat and the odd kipper tie floats your boat, this is the move for you!

Unlike some others, I really like this movie. As an American, I appreciate the Paris locations, which are well chosen. I like the Alfa Romeo Montreal that Michael Caine's character drives, an exceedingly rare and attractive model. I feel the dialog is clever and natural, and at times funny ("funguoo you!). It's interesting to see Pierre Salinger, the American statesman, in a small role and doing it well.

I feel you need to look at "The Destructors" as a group of vignettes, individually well done.While player motivations are sometimes a bit unclear,and some subplots lead nowhere, most of the main scenes are well presented. Younger people used to the slam bang action and quick scene cuts of newer movies may call it dull, but those who appreciate fine actors like James Mason, Anthony Quinn and Michael Caine may see this as a diamond in the rough. If you have a chance, catch this film on cable or at a theatre that plays older films, I hope you will enjoy it as much as I do.

Police officer Steve Ventura has tried and failed to catch Jacques Brizard – a respectable businessman who deals drugs. In his frustration he hires a hitman to kill Brizard – the hitman turning out to be old friend John Deray. As Deray starts to get close to Brizard, Ventura strengthens his case.

I watched this back to back with another Michael Caine movie – Without a Clue. In that his presence lifted an average film into something better….however here he can't manage it. In fact, three big names can't do it. The plot is straightforward and is similar to many other 1970's thrillers. The action and the characters could also be in any other of hundreds of cheap thrillers. There are few scenes that make the film interesting – Deray showing how ruthless he is on top of a building site is one of the highlights, the car chase/romance is also interesting as it was copied (but extended) for Mission: Impossible 2.

Caine appears to be in a different movie from Quinn – he's happy go lucky, enjoying romantic dinners etc while Quinn is gritting it out on the streets with informers etc. It creates a split feel to the movie – but it's better when the two come together. Neither are good enough to make the film better than average – nor is James `The Voice' Mason, who looks like he's asleep for most of it.

Overall, there are plenty of good 1970's thrillers out there that contain these actors separately (Quinn in Across 110th Street for one) – here the three can't manage to lift this out of being average and a bit dull.