The Hit (1984) - DaaVeeDee

The Hit (1984) (DVD) (*)

$20.99

Screened, competed or awarded at:
BAFTA Awards
Edgar Allan Poe Awards
Other Film Festival Awards

Language Selections:
English ( Dolby Digital 2.0 )
English ( Dolby Digital 5.1 )
French ( Dolby Digital 2.0 )
French ( Subtitles )

Product Origin/Format:
France ( PAL/Region 0 )

Running Time:
94 min

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen (1.85:1)

Special Features:
Interactive Menu
Scene Access

Movie filmed in 1984 and produced in:
United Kingdom ( Great Britain, Ireland )

Directed By:
Stephen Frears

Written By:
Stephen Frears
Peter Prince

Actors:
John Hurt ..... Braddock
Terence Stamp ..... Willie Parker
Tim Roth ..... Myron
Laura del Sol ..... Maggie
Bill Hunter ..... Harry
Fernando Rey ..... Senior policeman
Freddie Stuart ..... First Man
Ralph Brown ..... Second Man
A.J. Clarke ..... Third Man
Lennie Peters ..... Mr. Corrigan
Bernie Searle ..... Hopwood (as Bernie Searl)
Brian Royal ..... Fellows
Albie Woodington ..... Riordan
Willoughby Gray ..... Judge
Jim Broadbent ..... Barrister

Synopsis:

Stephen Frears (The Grifters, High Fidelity) directs this suspenseful British crime drama starring Terence Stamp as Willie Parker, a former mobster turned informant living in relative seclusion and exile in Spain. John Hurt plays Braddock, a reserved hit man who kidnaps Willie and takes him to Paris to be assassinated. As Braddock and his young accomplice Myron (Tim Roth) drive Willie through Spain to his final destination, nothing seems to happen the right way. Tension and the threat of violence hover over every scene of the movie, whilst fast paced flamenco music from Spanish great Paco De Lucia ignites the screen and helps create this richly woven and darkly humorous ride.

In this offbeat crime film, Willie Parker (Terence Stamp) an English mobster turned informant, has been given a new identity and has been living in a small, isolated village in Spain for 10 years. Unfortunately for Parker, the men he has betrayed have ascertained his whereabouts and send Braddock (John Hurt), a professional hitman, and his apprentice Myron (Tim Roth) to bring Parker to Paris where his ex-associates await. After kidnapping Parker, nothing goes as planned. Now they are followed by a Spanish policeman (Fernando Rey) who seems to anticipate each of their moves, and they are burdened by Maggie (Laura del Sol), the mistress of a fellow mobster they were forced to kill. What should have been a routine hit becomes a psychological battle between all the participants as Parker, in a fight for time and for his life, plays one against the other. Set against the bleak Spanish landscape and featuring evocative and memorable theme music by Eric Clapton, the film builds to a surprising conclusion where the true nature of all the characters is revealed. Terence Stamp develops the character of Parker in a subtle but surprisingly comic performance and Laura del Sol shines as a woman who will do what is necessary to survive. Tim Roth, in his film debut, plays a brutal, but oddly endearing thug. But it is John Hurt, in a sensitive and nuanced performance, who brings a perceptive intelligence and depth to his role which adds a philosophical and psychological dimension to the film. Hurt plays his difficult role without a misstep and with a rare economy of action. Thoughtful and frequently amusing, The Hit, superbly written by Peter Prince, is both a compelling and suspenseful crime drama and also a deep and profound meditation on life, death and courage.

Ex-gangster Willie Parker has betrayed his former 'colleagues' and now lives in Spain where he thinks he can hide from their vengeance. But one day, ten years later, two hitmen (Braddock and Myron) show up and kidnap Willie. They are ordered to escort him back to Paris where he should stand trial. But it is a long way to Paris...

This product was added to our catalog on Monday 21 July, 2025.