Le banquier

My review was written in December 1989 after watching the movie on MCEG/Virgin video cassette.

A bank chairman as a heartless monster? What sounds like a job description is the basis for an effective horror tale in the flasher genre.

William Webb, shose films have inevitably gone direct to video, makes no pretense at making a whodunit here. We're immediately informed that banker Duncan Regehr is killing call girls, then ritualistically mutilating their bodies. It seems he's following some ancient South American Indian practice, even painting his face and using a crossbow.

Robert Forster is the plodding cop tracking him down. Giving the film an interesting wrinkle is Forster's old flame, Shanna Ree, who becomes a successful newscaster and wins popular support when her uncensored outrage at the killer is allowed to be broadcast. Regehr becomes one of her biggest fans and then turns against her in a love-hate fashion.

Though low on suspense, pic benefits from casting of such luscious actresses as Teri Weigel and Deborah Richter as the targets of Regehr's bloodlust. There are overt overtones of "The Most Dangerous Game" as he often refers to hunt down his human prey.

I would classify this one as more of a thriller, rather than a slasher/horror film. Granted, there is a part near the end of the film that resembles something from a horror film, but it also felt out of place. This one had some entertaining qualities as it had Robert Forster who is usually good in this type of role and it was cool watching him try and find the creepy killer, but at times it veered into boring territory and pointless territory with unneeded subplots and characters.

The story has a guy kill a prostitute to open the film. Soon Forster is on the case and his ex who is a reporter goes insane trying to load the killer into striking. Meanwhile, the killer is rich and buys her station which kind of was pointless. Then a guy knows this dude is a killer and instead of telling the police he decides to do a little blackmail. Still, Robert Forster keeps getting closer and so does the reporter ex, dangerously so.

I like Robert Forster here and the guy who was Shaft is good as the chief. The reporter is annoying and the killer is okay. He gets more creepy as the film progresses. Still, the film needed more as it is just feels like it is missing a crucial ingredient.

So, I did not mind watching this one, but it was far from a good film. Forster carries the film, a couple of kills though nothing all that great as the killer uses a crossbow. Some nudity in this one as well. Kind of entertaining, but in a generic 80s movie kind of way.

Duncan Regher is THE BANKER. He's a mild mannered Banker by day, at night he's a sociopathic homo sapien hunter. Being a good sport, Duncan always give's his weaker prey a second chance. Robert Forester (80's DTV star) plays a cop who's hot on the Banker's trail. Faded 70's Pop Star Leif Garrett makes an apperence as one of the Banker's trophy's and Taxi's Jeff Conaway co-stars as well.

Mindless fun. Worth watching.

B

Was decent. Should've been a comedy but it really wasn't a bad flick.

Some "B" movies just deliver the goods, and "The Banker" is just such a film. Anyone who has seen any of the numerous "Most Dangerous Game" type clones, will definitely feel on familiar ground. The main difference being that the "hunter" uses as crossbow instead of a rifle, and the stalking takes place in the city instead of the wild countryside. One thing "The Banker" has going for it is a competent performance by Robert Forster. Shanna Reed and Jeff Conway seem pale by comparison, and Duncan Regehr over acts, while Richard Roundtree is mostly wasted in a no name type role. The film does generate some tension, and thankfully there are no car chase time fillers. Definitely worth a viewing by "B" movie admirers. - MERK