The Hit
1984 Directed by Stephen Frears
Synopsis
Ex-gangster Willie Parker has betrayed his former "colleagues" and now lives in Spain where he thinks he can hide from their vengeance...
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The Hit is a funny little film, and I mean that in more ways than one. Trying to describe what it is in one or two categories is almost impossible, so I would end up describing it as a buddy hitman road movie crime comedy-drama thriller. Of sorts.
The crux of the movie is that Terence Stamp, living in hiding in Spain, finds his past catching up him as the old crime boss he squealed on for a deal sends John Hurt and a startlingly young-looking Tim Roth after him (via some Spanish thugs) to bring him to Paris for a reunion - and his assassination.
To say it doesn't quite go according to plan would be an understatement as…
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A gem of a 1980s British gangster film with three amazing turns from Terence Stamp as the supergrass - looking very attractive, even if I, a straight man, do say so - John Hurt utterly convincing as the cold eyed assassin and Tim Roth as the young yobbo apprentice with the short fuse.
There's support from a suitably weary and dogged Fernando Rey as the cop on their trail and Laura Del Sol is the senorita taken along for the ride.
Look out too for early appearances from Ralph Brown and Jim Braodbent and, bizarrely, Lennie Peters of Peters and Lee fame as the silent Mr Corrigan, the man who orders the titular hit.
It's all rather nicely directed by Stephen Frears, though with such a capable cast it could be argued it was idiot proof to make. The film only slightly dips towards the end, a trend in a few movies from Frears. -
I found a movie about hitmen boring? Unfathomable, I know. I'm pretty sure this is the first time that's happened.
I can understand why people appreciate The Hit, it's definitely different than anything I've seen from the 1980's and nothing about it seems familiar or reductive. The highlight for me was whatshername with the crazy hair fighting tooth and nail (quite literally) to gain her freedom. She was very fun to watch! While I enjoyed some aspects, I was never fully engaged or invested in the story and I didn't care whether the heroes lived or died. I felt no connection to any of the characters and when they did stuff and made decisions, I couldn't for the life of…
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A prime example of the old adage that less is more, Stephen Frears' The Hit starts off with a simple premise and builds from there with the use of well-developed, brilliantly acted characters. Willie Parker (Terence Stamp) is a gangster who sells his pals down the road in order to get off free, but ten years later one of those guys is out of prison and sends his men Braddock and Myron (John Hurt and Tim Roth) to go and collect Willie. All of this is taken care of within the first fifteen minutes and the film at large is the three of them on the road, driving from Spain to Paris in order to bring Willie to his inevitable…
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Set in Spain, John Hurt, Tim Roth and Terence Stamp star in a decent and much neglected British gangster film. Worthy of a watch.
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Great film this one. A top notch cast and brilliant cinematography. Billy Hunter representing Australia with gusto.
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The Hit is an early effort by director Stephen Frears, who I’ve generally considered to be an under-valued director. Not everything he touches turns to gold but he has a handful of really solid films to his name and he’s elevated a lot of projects which didn’t seem all that promising. This film features John Hurt and a young Tim Roth as a pair of hitmen assigned to kidnap and eventually kill a former gangster turned snitch played by Terence Stamp. Christopher Nolan has called a “little-known Stephen Frears gem” and I can definitely see how this might have inspired Nolan back when he was making small-scale high concept crime films. I also wonder if the Coen brothers are fans…
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One of the best road movies I've ever seen. A great gangster film too. John Hurt gives a brilliant performance as the subdued hit man, Tim Roth is a force of nature in his first role as the young apprentice. However, Terence Stamp owns the movie as his great performance is just terrific as a subdued dead man walking. The cinematography is great as the sun drenched Spanish countryside just highlights the subtle, dark thriller. A great film all around.
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Amazing performances. This would be a classic in my eyes, if not for the abrupt ending. I'd rather have this movie end in Paris, like I expected it to do.
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I found a movie about hitmen boring? Unfathomable, I know. I'm pretty sure this is the first time that's happened.
I can understand why people appreciate The Hit, it's definitely different than anything I've seen from the 1980's and nothing about it seems familiar or reductive. The highlight for me was whatshername with the crazy hair fighting tooth and nail (quite literally) to gain her freedom. She was very fun to watch! While I enjoyed some aspects, I was never fully engaged or invested in the story and I didn't care whether the heroes lived or died. I felt no connection to any of the characters and when they did stuff and made decisions, I couldn't for the life of…
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I wanted to watch THE HIT because it stars Terrence Stamp, John Hurt, and Tim Roth, and is directed by Stephen Frears. That’s crazy pedigree.
It’s a story about hitmen (shockingly) and it’s very European. And very 80’s. It’s good. The actors are all great, but it’s pretty slow. It’s cool seeing those 3 on screen together. I just wish it was in something a bit more interesting.
godspeedhotfire.tumblr.com/post/13528858062/i-wanted-to-watch-the-hit-because-it-stars -
Set in Spain, John Hurt, Tim Roth and Terence Stamp star in a decent and much neglected British gangster film. Worthy of a watch.
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A little too slow-paced for me, but not a film without merit, The Hit features some interesting performances by John Hurt, Terrence Stamp, and a very young Tim Roth.
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This review reportedly contains spoilers. I can handle the truth.