The Killer Elite

release year: 1975
genre: espionage action/drama
viewing setting: home Bluray 7/8/26 and 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; he has to rehabilitate himself and find purpose in life. Robert Duvall does a decent job as the betrayer, although his motivations for doing it are murky, as is some of his dialogue. Burt Young is also good as an accomplice of Caan's. Veteran actor Mako is the leader of a family of martial artist refugees.

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

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