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The Hit Photos

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Movie Info

Hit men (John Hurt, Tim Roth) catch a stool pigeon (Terence Stamp) in Spain and take him on a wild ride to Paris.

Rating:

R
Genre:

drama, crime
Original Language:

English
Director:

Stephen Frears
Producer:

Jeremy Thomas
Writer:

Peter Prince
Release Date (Streaming):

Jan 13, 2009
Runtime:

1h 38m

Cast & Crew

John Hurt
Braddock

Terence Stamp
Willie Parker

Tim Roth
Myron

Laura del Sol
Maggie

Bill Hunter
Harry

Fernando Rey
Senior Policeman

Show all Cast & Crew

News & Interviews for The Hit

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Critic Reviews for The Hit

All Critics (15) | Top Critics (5) | Fresh (13) | Rotten (2)

It is a dexterously balanced killer thriller by the idiosyncratic Frears, whose every scene becomes a matter of life and death. A lighter clicks, a gun clicks; life or death, it all sounds the same.

September 15, 2015 | Full Review…

Rita Kempley
Washington Post
"The Hit" is something special: thoughtful, perfectly performed and carrying the clear stamp of an extremely interesting director.

September 15, 2015 | Full Review…

Sheila Benson
Los Angeles Times
Frears and writer Peter Prince have taken a potentially familiar tale of a gangland betrayal and revenge and made something richly inventive and most entertaining.

July 6, 2010 | Full Review…

Variety Staff
Variety
All in all, a very palpable hit.

June 24, 2006 | Full Review…

Derek Adams
Time Out
These guys don't have to use guns. All they have to do is open their mouths and bore each other to death.

August 30, 2004 | Full Review…

Vincent Canby
New York Times
A "crime and punishment" saga that's more interested in ideas than actions, it's a choice choice for discerning viewers up for vigorous bouts of wordplay between its characters.

October 30, 2020 | Rating: 3.5/4 | Full Review…

Matt Brunson
Film Frenzy
... it's absolutely the film itself which captures the imagination as the crime thriller subgenre is given a philosopher's tongue amid a road movie structure.

October 19, 2020 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…

Douglas Davidson
Elements of Madness
Besides having a superb screenplay, Frears is blessed, here, with an unparalleled cast. Both Hurt and Stamp are as good as they've ever been, while the very young Tim Roth makes a very promising debut.

September 15, 2015 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

TV Guide
Superb acting from Hurt and Stamp is enough to smooth over any rough patches.

July 29, 2009 | Rating: 8/10 | Full Review…

Christopher Long
Movie Metropolis
'The Hit' gives the great Terence Stamp what is arguably his best role.

June 14, 2009 | Rating: 5/5 | Full Review…

Dan Lybarger
eFilmCritic.com
really more of an exploration of the disjunction between exteriors and interiors, and while some may find it slow-going, those who see it for what it is will find it an intriguing portrait of human nature

May 11, 2009 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

James Kendrick
Q Network Film Desk
transmits an alien grip on atmosphere and tone that keeps one enthralled even as it ponders the very basis of being

April 6, 2009 | Rating: 3.5/5

Chris Cabin
Filmcritic.com

View All Critic Reviews (15)

Audience Reviews for The Hit

Apr 22, 2013

Antagonizing conceptions of life and death among criminals. An stylish and multi-layered examination of that moment of truth, of coming to terms with the vague but terrifying notion of parting this world. Fantastic performances by the leading triad. Probably Frears' best and most underrated cinematic venture.

Pierluigi P Super Reviewer
Jul 19, 2011

Mobster Willie Parker (Terence Stamp-Superman II, The Limey) turns state's evidence. Some very interesting & revealing dialogue at the beginning of the movie...which is filmed in the U.K. Parker had been incarcerated previously with Defendant Reardon (Albee Woodington) and appearing as a witness for the prosecution of the Defendant (his fellow past inmate Reardon)'s trial. Parker is asked a series of questions, some related to the attack on a Prison Guard. Prosecuting Barrister: "Who fired at the guard?" Parker: "Uh, that was Reardon." Barrister: :"Finally Mr.Parker, I will ask you this.in agreeing to give your evidence.have you been influenced by any offers of immunity or special treatment at the hands of the Police or the Court?" Parker: "No Sir. I'm here and I'm saying this because I think I should. I think it's right." Of course, that was a big stinky lie! Parker goes into the witness protection program and is resituate in Spain... <div style="width:331px;"><a href="http://www.flixster.com/photos/the-hit-4983969"><img src="http://content7.flixster.com/photo/49/83/96/4983969_gal.jpg" border="0"/></a><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10px;"><a href="http://www.flixster.com">Flixster</a> - Share Movies</div></div>

Teresa S Super Reviewer
Mar 27, 2011

Pretty good little film. A sparse script and an amazing Terence Stamp performance kept my eyes peeled to this slow-moving snail of a film. I can't say that I didn't enjoy every bit of it though. The way Stamp works everyone in a little chess game is reason enough to see it, but Fernando Rey was completely invisible in this film!

matt s Super Reviewer
Dec 16, 2010

It's a hit ! A little gem of a picure this one. Great casting, great performances and strong and complex characters give this fairly low budget movie a punch that hits (groan) above its weight and keeps the viewer thoroughly involved from start to finish.

The S Super Reviewer