The Domino Principle (1977)
Posted by Solomon on 8/27/2017, 11:10 am
This noir doesn't appear in Grant's tome, although it's along lines parallel to "The Parallax View" (1973), which is more popular among list-makers. This is a 70s noir, a category that stands apart in my mind, if no one else's. The 70s noirs are in color for the most part. They don't generally consciously look back to earlier noirs as do some neo-noirs. Conspiracies and political matters sometimes are the themes.
I've always liked this movie, if only for the performances of Gene Hackman, Richard Widmark and Edward Albert (the son). Eli Wallach and Mickey Rooney appear in smaller parts. Hackman is in top form as a convict sprung from prison by a shadowy agency. He's a manipulated pawn in an assassination plot.
Re: The Domino Principle (1977)
Posted by Don Malcolm on 8/31/2017, 9:31 am, in reply to "The Domino Principle (1977)"
Thanks, Mike. Have you got a list handy of noir(ish) political thrillers from the 70s/80s? Would be interesting to take a look at it...
Re: The Domino Principle (1977)
Posted by Solomon on 9/1/2017, 5:26 pm, in reply to "Re: The Domino Principle (1977)"
No, I have no list, but it isn't hard to find something someone else has drawn up, like
http://io9.gizmodo.com/10-most-essential-1970s-conspiracy-thrillers-1509974673
http://www.indiewire.com/2013/02/15-thrillers-from-the-70s-you-may-not-know-101411/
http://www.flickchart.com/Charts.aspx?genre=Political+Thriller&decade=1970
http://www.tasteofcinema.com/2015/the-15-best-political-thrillers-of-all-time/
These at least make a start.
FROM IMDB
JFK Assassination??
dirtydealers 24 November 2007
Warning: Spoilers
People are being too hard on the film. Sometimes we should just sit back and enjoy the story without attempting to "review" it.
The whole thing comes together when Hackman decides not to pull the trigger but his target still goes down. Then the fun begins as everyone about him also "go down".
Just think JFK and all the people associated in any way with his assassination, who's lives ended abruptly and in questionable ways and you'll appreciate what is implied in this film.
I think it's an excellent interpretation of what may well have occurred. Though the EXACT story line my not have been followed (hindsight here after reading Jim Maars "Crossfire") but it's what is implied that is of interest.
I'd love to get a copy of it to view it again. In light of what is known today, The Domino Principle is right on.
A solid slice of 1970s political paranoia and pessimism
gridoon202110 December 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Not one of the classics of its sub-genre (the political paranoia thriller), but still a solid film with a superb Hackman, a top-notch supporting cast (Richard Widmark exudes oily authority with just a smile), good cinematography, and plot twists (not all of them plausible). The scene where Hackman observes from a plane a bomb being planted inside Widmark's car is terrific. A very 1970s film--right down to its pessimistic ending. **1/2 out of 4.
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