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The Killer Elite (1975)

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Average Rating: 5.6/10
Reviews Counted: 10
Fresh: 6 | Rotten: 4

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Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 3
Fresh: 0 | Rotten: 3

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User Ratings: 1,818

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Movie Info

This second-string Sam Peckinpah action film features James Caan as ex-CIA agent Mike Locken, who has retired due to injuries received at the hands of his ex-partner George Hansen (Robert Duvall). But Mike is lured out of retirement to protect Yuen Chung (Mako), an Asian political leader. There's a contract out on Yuen Chung's life -- and the killer assigned to rub out Yuen Chung is none other than Mike's former partner, George Hansen. The confrontation between the two leads to a showdown on a

PG, 2 hr. 2 min.

Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense

Directed By: Sam Peckinpah

Written By: Marc Norman, Stirling Silliphant

In Theaters: Dec 17, 1975 Wide

On DVD: Feb 23, 1999

MGM Home Entertainment

The Killer Elite Trailer & Photos

Cast

James Caan
Mike Locken
Robert Duvall
George Hansen
Arthur Hill
Cap Collis
Bo Hopkins
Jerome Miller
Mako
Chung
Burt Young
Mac
Gig Young
Weyburn
Tom Clancy
O'Leary
Kate Heflin
Amy
Sondra Blake
Josephine
Helmut Dantine
Vorodny
Rick Alemany
Ben Otake
Tiana Alexandra
George Kee Cheung
Bruce
Uschi Digard
Danny Inosanto
Matthew Peckinpah
Kid
Simon Tam
Jimmy Fung
James Wing Woo
Tao Yi
W. Wallace Kelley
Walter
Hank Hamilton
Hank

Critic Reviews for The Killer Elite

All Critics (17) | Top Critics (5) | Fresh (6) | Rotten (4) | DVD (2)

Sam Peckinpah knows how to make movies but perhaps he has forgotten why.

May 9, 2005 Full Review Source: New York Times

| Comment

Richard Eder

New York Times

Top Critic

The Killer Elite is directed and acted with a certain nice style, but it puts us through so many convolutions of the plot that finally we just don't care.

October 23, 2004 Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Top Critic

Solid action pic.

January 24, 2012 Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews

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Dennis Schwartz

Ozus' World Movie Reviews

A fable of self-romanticizing paranoia, acknowledged as a splendid private joke played from deep within a corporate potboiler

February 14, 2010 Full Review Source: CinePassion

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Fernando F. Croce

CinePassion

Misunderstood at the time of its release, this is essentially a droll parody of espionage thrillers with plenty of chases and shoot-outs presented in an absurdist, mocking tone by director Peckinpah.

August 30, 2006 Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide

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TV Guide's Movie Guide

An underrated CIA thriller directed by Sam Peckinpah with lots of quirky offhand moments.

October 9, 2005 Comment

Chuck O'Leary

Fantastica Daily

Shoe-leather tough but refreshingly low key for Peckinpah.

August 4, 2002 Comment

Jonathan R. Perry

Tyler Morning Telegraph (Texas)

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Audience Reviews for The Killer Elite

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You know a movie is dated when the most notable product placement is an AMC Pacer.

March 28, 2009

Randy Tippy

Super Reviewer

There's some good action in this movie, but the story's not so great, and it's pretty boring for the most part. At least there are some good actors in it.

September 5, 2010