Brass Target
Brass Target | |
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Directed by | John Hough |
Screenplay by | Alvin Boretz |
Based on | The Algonquin Project 1974 novel by Frederick Nolan |
Produced by |
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Starring | |
Cinematography | Metro Goldwyn Mayer |
Distributed by | United Artists |
Release date |
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Running time | 111 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Box office | $5,111,000 (domestic) or $2.5 million (US rentals)[1] |
Brass Target is a 1978 American suspense war film based on the 1974 novel The Algonquin Project by Frederick Nolan.[2] The film was produced by Berle Adams and Arthur Lewis and directed by John Hough.[3] It stars Sophia Loren, John Cassavetes, Robert Vaughn, George Kennedy, Patrick McGoohan and Max von Sydow.[4]
The film's plot concerns General George S. Patton's fatal automobile crash and suggests that the crash was not an accident but the result of a conspiracy.
Plot
In Europe, days after
De Luca began his own investigation in order to prove General Patton's murder was not an accident. His first stop was a visit to his old wartime commander, Colonel Mike McCauley, who was now living in a requisitioned German castle. Behind the closed doors of Colonel McCauley's quarters, De Luca got leads on names and key events that were part of the unfolding conspiracy. He went on to investigate some of the other men closely associated to Patton. He discovered evidence of some American officers who were involved in a shady business venture with some Germans. He also came across strong indications that these men had hired a professional assassin to kill Patton and halt the ongoing investigation. At this point, De Luca was certain that General Patton’s death was a political move orchestrated by the corrupt officers. He was determined to find the evidence he needed to prove his theory and bring justice to the man who had inspired him and many other to serve their country with honor. De Luca knew this meant placing himself directly in harm's way, but it was a risk he was willing to take in order to bring justice.
Soon De Luca is sent on a dangerous mission with the secret service in WWII-torn Europe. He must hunt down a group of mutinous officers who falsely accused General Patton of being a traitor. As De Luca begins his mission, he is met with a number of unexpected challenges and setbacks. One such challenge comes in the form of Mara, a former lover of De Luca's who can provide valuable assistance in his mission. Before they can inquire further however, the duo discovers that a former secret service agent, Webber, is also on their trail. Not only is he looking to capture the mutineers, he is also planning on assassinating General Patton. With the time ticking, De Luca and Mara must race against time to save the general and apprehend the mutineers. De Luca is of course hesitant, but Mara's bravery and dexterous overtures prevail. She successfully guides De Luca, helping him identify the culprits and foiling Webber's plans in the nick of time.
In what could be one of the most shocking events of the war, Webber, a hired assassin, posed as an American soldier to take the life of General Patton. It was an elaborate scheme that required extensive planning and execution. Webber had set up a traffic accident that would take place at the precise moment to facilitate the killing. The military truck collided with Patton's car, and, at the same time, Webber fired a rubber bullet that struck Patton and broke his neck. De Luca, an FBI agent, eventually tracked down Webber and killed him with his own pistol, ensuring his fate. This incredible tragedy wrought much sorrow throughout the military as the loss of such a great leader could not easily be diminished.
Cast
- Sophia Loren as Mara
- John Cassavetes as Major Joe De Luca
- George Kennedy as General George S. Patton
- Robert Vaughn as Colonel Donald Rogers
- Patrick McGoohan as Colonel Mike McCauley
- Bruce Davison as Colonel Robert Dawson
- Edward Herrmann as Colonel Walter Gilchrist
- Max von Sydow as Professional Assassin Shelley Martin Webber
- Ed Bishop as Colonel Frank Stewart
- Lee Montague as Lucky Luciano
- Hal Galili as Captain Levy
- Bernard Horsfall as Shelley
- John Junkin as Carberry
- Sigfrit Steiner as Herr Schroeder
- Reinhold Olszewski as General Ostranov
- Bob Cunningham as General Stackwood
- Heinz Bennent as Kasten
- Brad Harris as Lt. Rowan
- Claudia Butenuth as Hilde
- Yulian Panich as Russian Officer
Production
Development
The film is based on the 1974 historical novel The Algonquin Project by British writer Frederick W. Nolan in which a fictional protagonist tries to stop the assassination of Patton in a staged car accident.
Although approximately $2.5 billion in German gold, most of which is still missing, was determined to have been pilfered in several separate thefts, no train robbery occurred as depicted in the film. Brass Target, despite a lukewarm reception upon its release, is noted for its attention to historical detail in an early post-war Europe. The Cold War had not started but relations with the Russians are shown to have already become frosty.
Casting
Many American soldiers from the 66th MI Group who were stationed in Munich appear as extras in the film.[9][5]
Filming
Brass Target was shot on location in Munich, Bavaria, West Germany and Switzerland.[9]
Release
Brass Target was released in theaters on December 22, 1978 in the United States[9] and March 2, 1979 in the United Kingdom.[citation needed]
The film was released on DVD on August 30, 2012 by the Warner Archive Collection.[10] MGM Home Entertainment (under license from WB) released Brass Target on DVD as part of its Sophia Loren Collection.[11]
Reception
References
- ^ THE BIG THUDS OF 1979--FILMS THAT FLOPPED, BADLY Epstein, Andrew. Los Angeles Times 27 Apr 1980: o6.
- ^ ISBN 978-0688003197.
- Time Warner). Retrieved March 1, 2016.
- ^ Variety film review; December 13, 1978.[1]
- ^ a b c Canby, Vincent (December 22, 1978). "Screen: Patton Plot:Historical Speculation". The New York Times. New York City. Retrieved November 28, 2016.
- ^ Peter J. K. Hendrikx. "The Death of General George S. Patton" (PDF). www.osssociety.org. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
- ^ "Was Patton Murdered?: What is the truth behind the death of America's greatest World War II battlefield commander?". www.historynet.com. November 30, 2022.
- ISBN 978-1596985797.
- ^ a b c "Brass Target". American Film Institute. Los Angeles. Retrieved November 28, 2016.
- ASIN B008NNY8HW. Retrieved November 28, 2016.
- ASIN B0007655GG. Retrieved November 28, 2016.