The Marseille Contract

1974
PG
1h 27m

IMDb RATING

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James Mason, Anthony Quinn, and Michael Caine in The Marseille Contract (1974)

When a U.S. Intelligence Agent is unable to bring a ruthless drug baron to justice, he resorts to hiring a contract killer. But the man with whom he is put in contact turns out to be an old ... Read allWhen a U.S. Intelligence Agent is unable to bring a ruthless drug baron to justice, he resorts to hiring a contract killer. But the man with whom he is put in contact turns out to be an old friend.When a U.S. Intelligence Agent is unable to bring a ruthless drug baron to justice, he resorts to hiring a contract killer. But the man with whom he is put in contact turns out to be an old friend.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

5.9/10

1.7K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
The sports car John Deray (Michael Caine) drove was a 1971 Alfa-Romeo Montreal.

Goofs
In the office scene when Inspector Briac offers Anthony Quinn's Steve Ventura a bottle of Château d'Yquem - stating he has been given a case of the wine - he opens the box and pulls out a green bottle. Château d'Yquem is a golden-colored Premier Cru Supérieur (Fr: "Superior First Growth") wine from the Sauternes, Gironde region in the southern part of the Bordeaux and is always in clear bottles to showcase the gold color. Briac was handling a green bottle which would have a red and the label color was even wrong..

Quotes
Kovakian: Look. Why don't we just make Brizard disappear? Nice and quiet.
Steve Ventura: Like how?
Kovakian: Like kill him.
Steve Ventura: That's against the law, Joe. Especially for cops.

Alternate versions
When originally released theatrically in the UK, the BBFC made cuts to secure a 'A' rating. All cuts were waived in 1986 when the film was re-rated with a '15' certificate for home video.

Connections
Referenced in Mi adúltero esposo ('In Situ') (1979)

Soundtracks
'Round Midnight
Music by Thelonious Monk & Cootie Williams
Words by Bernard Hanighen (as Bernie Hanighen)
Performed by The Fellings Quartet

User reviews23

Review

Featured review

6/10

"You have a good deal...don't rock the boat"

Considering this film stars Anthony Quinn, Michael Caine AND James Mason, you probably would expect even more from this movie. Well, it's not a bad film but clearly it could have been better had the script been more interesting.

Despite Michael Caine being listed first in the credits, he doesn't even appear in the film until the 25th minute. And, clearly, the star is Quinn as the story really centers on him and he's in much more of the movie.

The story is set in Europe and is about Steven Ventura (Quinn) and his hatred for Brizard (Mason). It seems Brizard is a drug lord and is responsible for the deaths of one of Steve's friends in the opening scene. But even though he is a US intelligence agent working for the Justice Department, Brizard seems legally untouchable. So, in desperation he hires a hitman to take out Brizard. Coincidentally, the killer turns out to be one of Steve's old friends, John Derey (Caine). So what's next? Watch the film.

The story looks real nice thanks to its location shooting throughout France. It also has a mildly interesting plot. But what kept it from being better for me was a decided lack of energy in the film....which is amazing considering all the killing, drugs and mayhem. I think the film's pacing tended to be too slow for the material. Still, it is interesting and worth seeing....even if Mason had a very odd French-ish accent!