The Hard Way

Seeing Patrick McGoohan and Lee Van Cleef in the same film, is reason enough to seek out "The Hard Way". McGoohan plays an Irish hit-man, obsessed with guns, who unexpectedly wants to retire. Van Cleef urges him to do one last difficult job for him, threatening McGoohan's wife for leverage. Eventually McGoohan reneges on the hit and kills a couple of hit men who are sent after him, leading to a cat and mouse climax between Van Cleef and McGoohan. The finale takes place in a booby trapped mansion and the confrontation and ending are both exciting and satisfying. For fans of either McGoohan or Van Cleef, this is a must see film. - MERK

Sometimes you come across gems not because someone tells you about them or because you saw them of some list, no sometimes gems are discovered by mistake. This movie was one of those movies that Amazon Prime just happen to have and it said i might like because I had recently seen the Charles Bronson movie, The Mechanic. I thought I was going to get a movie long those lines but what I got was something so much better. When you find these kind of gems all you want to do is tell everyone in the world about it.

So what is this British made for TV movie all about? Well John Conner, played by Patrick McGoohan, is a hitman who wants out of the game. Well of course those who need his services can not take no for answers so they force him into another job. When Conner double crosses them, a game of cat and mouse between Conner and his boss, played by Lee Van Cleef, starts. What makes this movie so much different is the production values for again a made for TV movie. The story is well written and the action is never over the top but enough to make the story interesting. Another aspect that adds a touch is an ongoing dialogue from Conners wife as she seems to be speaking to the viewer. Of course the twist is given at the end of the movie which is satisfying.

This movie is by no means for everyone. Some people might find it predictable or slow at times, and I will admit that it is both of those things. But sometimes its good to find movies that have something fresh or new to say and in different ways.

So should you watch this? If you like action movies then I would say that at some point you should watch it. It is not perfect but it is a good little ride that you wont regret.

A brooding film in which one feels the angst of the retiring Irish hit-man (Patrick McGoohan) who foolishly agrees to do one last assassination. This quiet film is poignantly "narrated" by the gunman's estranged wife whose memories enter the story to provide a framework and background for the tragic figure and his family. Any "Prisoner" fan will see parallels between aspects of this plot and McGoohan's previous series: an agent who wants to give up his covert work but is not let off the hook so easily by his masters. The agent decides to leave anyway and is pursued relentlessly by his former bosses. In "The Hard Way" this pursuit takes us through rural Ireland to a dramatic showdown with Lee Van Cleef. An understated, interesting study, worth a look.

What's the deal with the ratings here? Hardly anyone voted below 4 and its got a 3.6??? This is a very well made low budget minimalist neo noir set in Ireland. McGoohan and Van Cleef are very effective in their roles as underworld hit men. Sparse dialouge and good cinematography. Direction is slow but assured and suits the tone of the story well. Has the production feel of those late seventies British thillers like "Mystery" that played over here in the sates. But this has a dark tragic tone that separates it from those TV shows. Who would have thought you'd see Lee Van Cleef in an Irish Film Noir. Definitely worth a look if you can find this ultra rare flick.

When it comes to dialogue, less is more, in this epic of the unspoken word. Patrick McGoohan, Lee Van Cleef and Irish backdrop make for pleasurable after-pub eye candy. Blink and you might miss nothing - or you might miss everything. See it once and you'll never forget it - no matter how late you got home after the pub. Top stuff.