Lesson one, don't mess with Lee Marvin. This dude is bad, and ice cold. After getting stabbed in the back (well, actually, shot in the chest) and left for dead, he pursues the money that was owed to him up the chain in an organized crime syndicate. In one fight, he hammers a guy on the ground in the groin. When he's shot at in an underground garage, he calmly takes a couple of steps back behind a pillar, and allows the police to take care of the shooter. He's so direct and menacing in making it clear he's going to be paid, or he's going to kill you. He's a terrific tough guy, and turns in an excellent performance.
The film was entertaining, but I'm not sure it ever really broke out of the usual Hollywood formula of a very brave, very tough guy taking on an unseen web of corruption. I was reminded of The Big Heat (1953), which ironically also starred Lee Marvin, and there are many others. After you've heard the premise, you can imagine what's going to happen, and it's got a few plot holes as well.
On the other hand, it's well made within this genre, with director John Boorman filming at Alcatraz, using a gritty, stark style, and employing mini-flashbacks to realistically show Marvin's state of mind. John Vernon, ubiquitous bad guy from this era, is solid, and it was nice to see Angie Dickinson, particularly in the scene where she gets mischievous and annoys Marvin. The bit with her wailing away at him while he stands there impassively fit well and made me smile. Less successful is Carroll O'Connor, who is a little harder to believe in the few scenes he has, though it was interesting to see him in role other than Archie Bunker. Overall, a good action 60's action film, but probably a little over-hyped, with the gushings of critic David Thomson leading the way. I'd give a slight edge to Bullitt, from the following year, if you have a choice.
The film was entertaining, but I'm not sure it ever really broke out of the usual Hollywood formula of a very brave, very tough guy taking on an unseen web of corruption. I was reminded of The Big Heat (1953), which ironically also starred Lee Marvin, and there are many others. After you've heard the premise, you can imagine what's going to happen, and it's got a few plot holes as well.
On the other hand, it's well made within this genre, with director John Boorman filming at Alcatraz, using a gritty, stark style, and employing mini-flashbacks to realistically show Marvin's state of mind. John Vernon, ubiquitous bad guy from this era, is solid, and it was nice to see Angie Dickinson, particularly in the scene where she gets mischievous and annoys Marvin. The bit with her wailing away at him while he stands there impassively fit well and made me smile. Less successful is Carroll O'Connor, who is a little harder to believe in the few scenes he has, though it was interesting to see him in role other than Archie Bunker. Overall, a good action 60's action film, but probably a little over-hyped, with the gushings of critic David Thomson leading the way. I'd give a slight edge to Bullitt, from the following year, if you have a choice.