The 'Human' Factor

George Kennedy gets to be pretty badass in this routine but entertaining revenge thriller, playing John Kinsdale, an American computer programmer working for NATO in Italy. One night, he comes home from work to find that his whole family has been savagely executed. He's grief-stricken but also determined to mete out bloody vengeance. The people responsible are a left-wing terrorist group whose modus operandi is targeting American families living in Rome.

The final project for the filmmaker Edward Dmytryk, whose classic credits include "The Caine Mutiny" and "Crossfire", "The 'Human' Factor" still is relevant in some ways, especially for any person who has lost loved ones as a result of a terrorist act. Back then, the plot (concocted by Peter Powell and co-star Thomas Hunter) was somewhat unique for heavy reliance on the technology of the day. The script also heavily relies on viewer acceptance of what the computers in this film are able to accomplish. In 1975, computers were still fairly exotic and mysterious things to some people, and screenwriters could have them figure out any number of things. The computer intelligence here even takes the time to determine what Kinsdales' chances of success are in his mission of vengeance.

The Italian setting helps quite a bit in the telling of this competently made, and viscerally effective, picture. Kennedy is a classic type of hero who can shoot scores of bad guys without having to reload his gun, who can run the cops a good chase, and who keeps fighting even after being struck by gunfire himself. This is one of his most amusing roles, to be sure.

Other aspects of value include the Ennio Morricone soundtrack (at times, it bears the faintest resemblance to his "Once Upon a Time in the West" score) and the excellent international cast: Sir John Mills, Raf Vallone, Barry Sullivan, Rita Tushingham, Shane Rimmer, Haydee Politoff, Arthur Franz. Producer Frank Avianca plays the role of the terrorist Kamal; that's a 12 year old Danny Huston (in his film debut) cast as one of Kinsdales' sons.

The silly and not terribly plausible script never does bother to really explain what the villains hope to accomplish with their killings, but Dmytryk keeps the pace fairly consistent and basically made a watchable enough film for people who love a fun revenge yarn.

Seven out of 10.

A British suspense-thriller; A story about a middle-aged NATO electronics expert who aims to track down the killers of his family, aided by a colleague and access to an early version of the internet. Based on a novel by Simon Quinn, it has a theme about how blood vengeance consumes up to the point of self-destruction. The film has conviction and carries some suspense. George Kennedy's arresting performance as a middle-aged nerd, an everyman, hulking around Campania and Lazio like an out-of-control ox, lends a touch of realism, but the scenes of lex talionis mean the emotional cards fail to stack fully in his favour. Ennio Morricone's score responds with the right emotional tone throughout.

When I first saw this movie, I was only 9 years old. The movies idea, losing one's entire family to terrorists, haunted me for years. George Kennedy's strong portrayl of a father who is obsessed about tracking down the killers of his family, can easily be outdone by newer more daring plots. For it's time though, The Human Factor was 'on the edge of your seat' suspense that left you with a weary, empty feeling when the movie was over. Although dated, I feel it can still create an emotional response for someone who looks for more than special effects in a picture. Too bad it is out of print.

Low-Budget American-Italian Revenge Plot.

Personalized by an American Computer Programmer Stationed in Italy.

Last Film From the Celebrated Director Dymytryk Known for "Crossfire" (1947), "Murder My Sweet" (1944), "The Caine Mutiny" (1954), and Others.

His Hollywood Career became Exiled by the HUAC Witch-Hunt.

Intense Film, Anchored by a Determined, No-Nonsense George Kennedy.

After His Family is Executed, a Near-Suicidal Kennedy Regroups and Sets-Out on a Vendetta Against the Terrorist Responsible.

His Family, as it Turns was a Random Display of Activity to Extort Money and Prisoner Release.

Killing American Families Until Demands are Met.

The Computer Organization who Employs the Juggernaut who is Kennedy is Linked to the U. S. Govt and Specifically the Military.

Gets Help from Friendly Insiders and the Hunt is On.

Taut, Violent, and Suspenseful Film with a Surprisingly Effective Combination of Brains and Brawn from a Limited Actor.

Gritty, Far-Fetched, Wild and Primitive Display of 1975 Embryonic Computer Technology.

Films Date this Sort of Thing Profoundly and is Always an Awkward Attraction.

A Hidden-Gem Discovery.

Despite the Stone-Age Distraction of the Computers and the Hubris of its Overseer's Imaginary Capabilities,

The Film is Definitely...

Worth a Watch.

Recently watched this film after not seeing it for many years and it brought back many memories. I was stationed on the AFSOUTH NATO base at the time and the camera crews were there a few days doing exterior shots of the cast in some scenes. It was strange seeing this as I had just arrived there not long before and was even stranger to see the finished film at the base theater after it was released. Every time a scene would pop up showing the base or other recognizable spots (like the Navy Exchange at the climax) the audience would cheer. Not one of the best thrillers I'd seen but they did an adequate job for what it was probably budgeted for. I agree with some of the review that the cast seemed to be miscast (Kennedy never came across to me as the sort of actor that would be the lead in a film) and a bit long in the tooth. Overall everyone I knew enjoyed it but thought it could have been better. Sophia Loren also did scenes on the base in another film though it was filmed when I was not there and I'm sorry to say I can't recall it's title - though I think it was about her helping an orphaned girl.