The Hit 1984
If you like Euro-crime and haven’t seen this one you’re in for a real treat. English killers are on the road in Spain, executing a hit on a ‘Supergrass’ who’s spent ten years in protective custody. The brilliant cast give the criminal twists extra credibility. The suspenseful show is one of Stephen Frears’ best, and it builds to a highly satisfying conclusion. It’s also the feature debut of Tim Roth, and as such shouldn’t be missed.

After ratting out his criminal associates on the witness stand, Willie Parker (Terence Stamp) has spent ten years under police protection in a small town north of Madrid. That’s when freelance hit man Braddock (John Hurt) shows up to take Willie to Paris, where the mob is waiting to repay him for his treachery. The pitiless Braddock is assisted by Myron, a street thug on his first big job, who has a bad habit of talking too much (Tim Roth of Rob Roy and Pulp Fiction). In swapping out their getaway car, the killers end up kidnapping a young Spanish bargirl, Maggie (Laura del Sol). Braddock is a fastidious detail man who thinks nothing of killing a stranger to ensure the security of the mission. Thanks to missteps made along the way, he comes realizes that they have little chance of reaching the French border. The only question is, who to kill? And when?


Director: Stephen Frears
Cast: Freddie Stuart, Ralph Brown, A.J. Clarke
Country: UK
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller

BD50 | 1080p AVC | 01:38:17 | 37.7 Gb + 3% rec
Language: English
Subtitles: English

Extras:

Commentary - audio commentary with director Stephen Frears, writer Peter Prince, actors Tim Roth and John Hurt, and film editor Mick Audsley. The gentlemen explain how The Hit came to exist. Mr. Audsley's comments are arguably the most interesting ones as he discusses how key sequences in the film were shot to create images for the viewer without actually showing them. There are plenty of informative comments about the film's soundtrack as well. In English, with optional Italian subtitles.

Parkinson One-to-One: Terrence Stamp - in this archival interview, Terence Stamp discusses the evolution of his career, some of the great actors he worked with (there is a hilarious segment about Marlon Brando), the significance of his performance in Billy Budd, his work in Italy, etc. The interview was conducted by talk-show host Michael Parkinson in 1988. It appeared on Granada Television in the UK. In English, not subtitled. (37 min, 1080i).

Trailer - original trailer for The Hit. In English, not subtitled. (3 min, 1080p).