The Killer Elite

release year: 1975
genre: espionage action/drama
viewing setting: home DVD 8/19/22 and 9/25/15 and 9/21/09 and 9/29/05 and 4/20/03

synopsis: Two buddies work together as assassins; one betrays the other and cripples him; their paths cross again.

impressions: Interesting. These guys supposedly work for an illegal agency that works in turn for the CIA. There are lots of shootouts and hand-to-hand fighting, as well as some ninja action in a time when the ninja weren't yet en vogue.

acting: James Caan does a good job as the betrayed; Robert Duvall does a decent job as the betrayer. Burt Young is also good as an accomplice of Caan's.

final word: Slow in parts, but still good spy-betrayal action.

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