Hennessy

Nice flick in the flavor of the 70's thrillers with habitual combination of pursuits , stirring action , displaying sizzling scenes in London locations and colorful characters . Stars Hennessy (Rod Steiger) , an Irishman who believes in peace and family life , but who has had connections to the I. R. A led by Tobin (Eric Porter) . After his family is killed, and he plots vengeance by committing an important assassination and and a brutal massacre . As Henessy setting out to blow up the Houses of Parliament and to assassinate Queen Elizabeth II. Along the way , a Police Inspector (Richard Johnson) and his helper (Peter Egan) carrying out a suspenseful investigation to track him down . It began on the 1st of November . Its object - to find Niall Hennesy , a gentle , peaceful man who had been push too far and who carries in his right vest pocket the power to destroy a nation. The day he has chosen to act is the 5th of November . Most Intensive Manhunt Ever Mounted!

This is a thrilling movie about a family man who finds himself embarking on a criminal spree , containing moving sequences , intrigue , tension and sightseeing locations from London . This is an interesting thriller lavishly produced by Peter Snell and Samuel Z. Arkoff from American International and intriguing script by John Gay based on a story by Richard Johnson himself who plays efficiently an obstinate cop , too . It's full of action , tense , high intrigue , nail-biting chases , beautifully filmed and being very entertaining. From the beginning to the end the unstoppable tension and suspense is continuous. In the wake of The Day of Jackal by Fred Zinneman , including a breathtaking and overwhelming ending whose sequences are the movie's best . The runtime of the film is appropriate , 105 minutes approx. It is neither tiring , nor dull , but thrilling . Terrific performance by Rod Steiger as stubborn and cunning murderer . All-star-cast formed by prestigious secondary actors , mostly Britishmen . The top-notch support cast are as follows : Richard Johnson , Eric Porter , Lee Remick , John Shrapnel, Trevor Howard , Peter Egan , John Hallan , theatrical movie debut of Sir Patrick Stewart and look fot the little girl Patsy Kensit as Hennessy's daughter .

It packs adequate and atmospheric photography by Ernest Steward , reflecting spectacularly the noisy London streets , parks , monuments and sightseeing .As well as rousing and exciting musical score by John Scott .The motion picture , well produced by Peter Snell, was professionally directed by Don Sharp. He was a good British craftsman who directed all kinds of genres, thrillers , adventures , suspense , Fantasy , Sci-Fi , Terror , such as : "The Kiss of the Vampir , The Face of Fumanchu, The Brides of Fumanchu, Rocket to the Moon , Psychomania , Callan , Hennessy , The Four Feathers , The Thirty-Nine Steps, Bear Island , Secrets of the Phantoms Caverns" . Rating : 6.5/10. Acceptable and decent action movie . The picture will appeal to thriller buffs and Rod Steiger fans .

Maltin is an idiot for saying that the plot is unbelievable. It is in fact all too believable. Rod Steiger shows his versatility by playing an Irishman who impersonates an Englishman. Lee Remick is delectable as usual and English fans will applaud the inclusion of Eric Porter

My father-in-law, Les Hammond, did the sound on this film, and I remember at the time him telling me that he did not think this film would be released on general release because the authorities thought it would be looked upon as some sort of bible for terrorism. We went to see it a long time after it's release, and I'm pleased to say that it was an eye opener. The storyline was good, the acting was excellent (the accents were difficult but you can't have everything). I'm a great fan of Rod Stiger and he did not let anyone down in this film. Les Hammond is still in rude health and will be celebrating his 100th birthday on 6th June 2008.

A fun little reworking of THE DAY OF THE JACKAL, not on par with that classic film but pretty good in its own right. Rod Steiger is well cast as an IRA sympathiser who goes off the deep end when his wife and daughter are killed by a British soldier and decides to recreate Guy Fawkes' crimes in the modern day. A taut pace and gritty realism throughout means that this one builds to a strong suspense climax cleverly incorporating real-life footage of the queen.

Oh dear a Hollywood thriller featuring the Provisional IRA that was made at the height of the troubles . Let me guess whose side the film might be taking ? "One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter" you state with self righteous smugness . Well there's women and children being raped to death by Jihadists' in the Caliphate as I write this . Anyone consider them to be freedom fighters ? The only thing terrorists offer people is the freedom from freedom . But you can guarantee that Hollywood will delude themselves that if someone has an Irish accent , a Kalashnikov and a pile of semtex there's no way he can be classed as a "terrorist" , so imagine my surprise that I came across a very even handed portrayal of Irish terrorism

The plot is simple and features an Irishman Niall Hennessey whose wife and daughter are killed in a riot in Belfast and wants to take his revenge by blowing up the Queen's state opening of parliament . This is seen as a step too far by the Provisionals so set out to eliminate Hennessey

The idea of the IRA going after a rogue player however is not as far fetched as it seems . Sure it's all down to self preservation . As real life events would later prove the IRA's failed assassination plot of the Prime Minster and her cabinet in 1984 with the Brighton bombing destroyed any intermittent dialogue between the British government and the IRA for several years . Wipe out the Royal family and British government is just asking for trouble because the retaliation and fall out would totally alienate the Provos from any political carrots being offered so yes the motives and credibility as seen here ring absolutely true

HENNESSEY is a rather familiar thriller of one man finding himself alone and on the run from both sides but this isn't necessarily a criticism . When the film does make vaguely political statements then it does tie itself up a little bit . For example a news report states sectarian differences are put aside for the youths killed in the riot , but I can tell you a small minority of people living in Republican or Loyalist ghettos will never come together to remember the dead of the other side . Quite the reverse , it'd be a cause of celebration and much drinking . Sad but true

Rod Steiger is one of these actors whose talent far exceeds most of the films he's been in and HENNESSY is sort of mid table . It's not a role that screams Oscar nomination but at the same time he does give a rather understated performance and it's not often you see a film where the lead IRA man isn't played by some hunky man . Sean Bean , Richard Gere and Brad Pitt have all played IRA men so it's a nice change that the producers didn't think of getting Paul Newman or Robert Redford in the title role so let's be grateful for that

Oh and no review of this movie can be complete without saying "Some very good editing and the archive footage of the Queen blends so seamlessly in to the film you'd think she's actually been filmed onset as herself"