The Executor (1970)

Movie
German title	The executor
Original title	The Executioner
Country of production	United Kingdom
original language	English
Publishing year	1970
length	111 minutes
Age rating	FSK 16
Rod
Director	Sam Wanamaker
script	Jack Pulman
production	Charles H. Schneer
music	Ron Goodwin
camera	Denys N. Coop
cut	Roy Watts
occupation
George Peppard : John Shay Joan Collins : Sarah Booth Judy Geeson : Polly Bendel Oskar Homolka : Racovsky Charles Gray : Vaughan Jones Nigel Patrick : Colonel Scott Keith Michell : Adam Booth George Baker : Phillip Crawford Alexander Scourby : Professor Parker Peter Bull : Butterfield Ernest Clark : Roper Peter Dyneley : Balkov

The Executioner (Original title: The Executioner ) is a British drama from 1970 by the director Sam Wanamaker . Jack Pulman wrote the script . It is based on the novel of the same name by Gordon McDonell . The leading roles are cast with George Peppard , Joan Collins , Judy Geeson and Oskar Homolka . The work had its world premiere on May 1, 1970 in Finland. In the country of production, the film was first released in June 1970. In German-speaking countries, it only had its premiere on August 21, 1970.

action

After a failed operation by the Secret Intelligence Service in Czechoslovakia , which he directed from Vienna, the young secret agent John Shay returns to the headquarters in London. Although his superiors do not believe him, it is clear to John that there is a double spy at the top of the secret service who must also have betrayed his actions to the enemy. Through his mistress, John obtains the files on all of the unsuccessful actions in recent years. His suspicions are finally confirmed; but he is suspended from duty for stealing files. His circumstantial evidence was rejected a little later by a commission of inquiry. But John does not give up yet, although he barely escapes an assassination attempt. Soon he succeeds in liquidating the double agent. The last round of the dangerous game goes to the British secret service, which with John's help, but without his knowledge, succeeds in inflicting a serious defeat on the Soviet secret service in Greece.

In the end, John gets a promotion because his actions fit into the concept of the top secret service.

Reviews

The Protestant Film-Observer draws the following conclusion: "Elaborately and excitingly made thriller with formal ambitions, which sometimes seem a bit deliberate." The lexicon of international films comes to a similar result: "Psychologically differentiated agent film, consistently exciting."

Web link

• The executor in the Internet Movie Database (English)

Individual evidence

1. ↑ ^{a b} Source: Evangelischer Film-Beobachter , Evangelischer Presseverband München, Review No. 352/1970, pp. 359-360
2. ^ Lexicon of international films , rororo-Taschenbuch No. 6322 (1988), p. 4148