“It’s the greatest story of the decade — and covered by a woman!”
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Synopsis:
An aspiring journalist (Diana Rigg) hires the underground Assassination Bureau to kill its own chairperson (Oliver Reed).
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Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:
- Black Comedy
- Curt Jurgens Films
- Diana Rigg Films
- Journalists
- Oliver Reed Films
- Plot to Murder
- Telly Savalas Films
Review:
Although it’s based on a clever premise, this British farce is a disappointment on every count. Things go wrong from the very beginning of the story, when Rigg hires Reed to kill himself, and he willingly agrees — only to fob the job off onto his colleagues as a taunting excuse to murder them first. Such blatant narrative illogic kills the entire enterprise of this not-very-amusing black comedy, which ultimately has no real point. Adding insult to injury, even fans of Rigg or Reed will be disappointed: they lack any chemistry at all together:
… and Rigg’s transformation from an independent young feminist to a corset-wearing lovebird is unwelcome. Only recommended for those who enjoy fast-paced, high-color historical action flicks without much substance.
Redeeming Qualities and Moments:
- Nicely done set designs depicting turn-of-the-century Europe
Must See?
No. Though Peary lists it as a cult movie in the back of his book, I doubt it still has much of a following.
Links:
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One thought on “Assassination Bureau, The (1969)”
In agreement with what’s stated – not a must at all, and it’s hard to figure any worth it could have as a cult item. In spite of a high-calibre cast, it’s something of a sleeping pill. Halfway-through, one simply ceases to care. Oh, wait a minute…Clive Revill dies well in it. That’s about it.