Shot in Mexico with an international cast, this is a routine action yarn with a threadbare plot that almost defies belief. That's because it's virtually non-existent. In essence, it's about an anti-hero and his efforts to steal a priceless piece of paper (yes, you heard me right) which apparently holds information that half of the world wants to get its hands on. What follows are a series of elaborately staged, low budget and often entertaining action set-pieces, usually involving big cars chasing each other, or ageing action heroes running about the rural roads in Mexico. Director Brian Trenchard-Smith went on to make the cult classic TURKEY SHOOT in Australia after this, and he proves to be a worthwhile gun-for-hire, delivering a film that balances on the line between class and cheese. Sure, the film is low budget, but it's hard to dislike.
Even if the movie was totally diabolical, it would still be worth watching for the cast alone. Headlining things is old-timer Glenn Ford, appearing in just three scenes as a millionaire whose desires set off the movie. He's on screen almost as little as Henry Silva, top-billed but appearing just twice – and one of those times he's on a TV set! The hero of the piece is ageing Western star Chuck Connors, strutting his athleticism in much the way that Kirk Douglas refused to give up his physicality as he got older. Connors, who I've not seen in a film before, is surprisingly charismatic with his old-fashioned tough guy persona and I enjoyed his performance a lot. Richard Roundtree pops up as one of the assassins, and he has a non-speaking part, although he takes part in much of the best action. Rounding things off are a couple of Mexican movie stars, Andres Garcia and Jorge Rivero, who lend rugged good lurks and charm, as well as plenty of muscle, to the proceedings. And if that's a little too much testosterone for you, there's at least one female beauty in the cast – Susana Dosamantes.
DAY OF THE ASSASSINS sure isn't a classic, but as a low budget thriller you could do a lot worse. The simple nature of the story, the sun-drenched surroundings and the old-fashioned stunts and fist-fights made it enjoyable for this viewer. If watching aged Hollywood stars slugging it out with each other is your idea of entertainment, hunt this one down...
