User Reviews

Unlike some others, I really like this movie. As an American, I appreciate the Paris locations, which are well chosen. I like the Alfa Romeo Montreal that Michael Caine's character drives, an exceedingly rare and attractive model. I feel the dialog is clever and natural, and at times funny ("funguoo you!). It's interesting to see Pierre Salinger, the American statesman, in a small role and doing it well.

I feel you need to look at "The Destructors" as a group of vignettes, individually well done.While player motivations are sometimes a bit unclear,and some subplots lead nowhere, most of the main scenes are well presented. Younger people used to the slam bang action and quick scene cuts of newer movies may call it dull, but those who appreciate fine actors like James Mason, Anthony Quinn and Michael Caine may see this as a diamond in the rough. If you have a chance, catch this film on cable or at a theatre that plays older films, I hope you will enjoy it as much as I do.

Unlike some other reviewers, I found this little known piece to be very entertaining. Yes, Tony Quinn over-emotes on occasion (e.g., poker scene) and his affair with Rita (Alexandra Stewart) goes undeveloped, but the story line itself is well paced, interesting and suspenseful. If you're looking for an esoteric, psychologically penetrating example of the crime drama genre, this film is probably not for you. It is, however, a 90 minute "straight, no chaser" crime caper with the obligatory chase scenes, double-crosses, romantic entanglements, etc. Is it Caine and Mason at their best? No, but they don't need to be to fulfill their contribution, individually and collectively, to the flow of the story line. Also, the not-so-well known French actors (to American audiences) cast in the film were up to the task at hand.

In conclusion, great camera shots of Paris, southern France and Marseille. In no small manner, they augmented the film's overall thrust and added an extra dimension of cinematic flavor.

As a fan of Micheal Caine and of action thrillers from the seventies I was looking forward to watching this film. I'd listened to the wickedly funky soundtrack by Roy "Get Carter" Budd, and spent a while tracking down a copy of the film on VHS.

Firstly i'll deal with the good points. Marseille is a good location to film a thriller, think of French Connection 2 for example, and it is well used. I'm in love with the Citroen DS, especially in black, so I was pleased to see them used throughout the film. There's a playful "cat and mouse" car scene, which was later copied in a more OTT style by John Woo in MI:2! There are a few interesting killings. Caine looks very seventies cool.

Now for the not so good points. Budds soundtrack although is efficient, it is too efficient for my liking, i'd like to hear more of it in the film. The music never really gets going. There are a couple more chase scenes thrown in for good measure, but they are boring. The acting is very very average, as is the film.

In my opinion I think that the director should have made a decision to go with either A) A gritty, hard hitting thriller. Or B) A more tongue in cheek, stylish caper movie. This film has both qualities at certain points within the movie, but it doesn't have the mix right. This is a shame because it could have been much better, perhaps a bigger budget was needed, who knows.

So to sum up, if Michael Caine in various seventies fashions such as roll neck sweaters, giant aviator sunglasses, a smoking jacket with cravat and the odd kipper tie floats your boat, this is the move for you!

April in Paris is a time for lovers , but for a ruthless drug baron called Jacques Brizard (James Mason) is the smuggling season and for the destructors it's the killing time . When a US intelligence agent , Steve Ventura (Anthony Quinn) , is unable to bring a heinous kingpin to justice , he resorts to hiring and is put in contact with a likable contract killer , John Deray (Michael Caine) , who results to be a former friend . These Three Great Protagonists Anthony Quinn , Michael Caine , James Mason Live the Sweet Life But They Play a Game of Sudden Death.

Nice Paris-located crime drama with intrigue , suspense , thrills , car pursuits , twists and turns . The picture succeeds because of the thriller , tension , as well as an intelligent written script written by Judd Bernard delving into a twisted intrigue dealing how to chase an extreme villain . It packs an exceptionally fine camera work , attractive sequences and car crashes on the metropolitan streets , in Paris and Marseille . This thrilling picture mingles action-packed , drama , exciting pursuits , suspense , cross and double-crosses as well as spectacular sequences though won't mean much on little screen TV . Pulse-quickening thriller movie but plenty of clichés and lots of violence , shootouts and killings . Anthony Quinn is top-notch as US drug agent to stop a nasty kingpin , being helped by a hired killer who turns out to be an old friend . An animated Michael Caine stands out as the sympathetic assassin . And James Mason is perfect , as usual , as a drug lord who belongs to aristocracy of underworld . This excellent main cast is supported by an adequate support cast , such as : Maurice Ronet , Alexandra Stewart , Maureen Kerwin , Marcel Bozzuffi , Catherine Rouvel and the eternal secondary Vernon Dobtcheff . Colorful cinematography by Douglas Slocombe , shot on location in Gare d'Orsay, Grotte, Parc des Buttes-Chaumont , Paris , Cannes, Alpes-Maritimes, and Marseille, Bouches-du-Rhône, France . Stirring and lively musical score by Roy Budd .

This film also released as "The Destructors" was professionally directed by Robert Parrish , though it has some flaws and gaps . Robert was an Academy Award-winning film editor who also realized and acted in movies . As an editor he won an Academy Award for Body and soul (1947), the 1947 Robert Rossen film that starred John Garfield as a money-grubbing, two-timing boxer on the make. Parrish also worked on All the King's Men (1949), an account of the rise and fall of a Louisiana politician that won the Academy Award for Best Picture. Parrish then moved on to direct films during the 1950s and 1960s . Among his best received works was the brooding western ¨Saddle the Wind¨ (1958) , a Noir film titled ¨Cry danger¨, a Sci-Fi picture titled ¨Journey to the far side of the sun¨, the wartime movie ¨Purple plain¨ that resulted to be one of the best films and other strange Western called ¨A town called Bastard¨ . And of course , this his final film , the exciting thriller titled ¨The Marseille Contract¨ .

I'll start by saying this is not a good film. This was probably good enough for audiences in the 1970s but it really creaks along today. The acting is often wooden. The cinematography makes poor use of the south of France location. James Mason makes no attempt to be play a French gangster and reverts to his usual film persona - he doesn't even bother with an accent. Antony Quinn is great though, particularly with the material he has to work with. His rage in the scene at the after work poker game is electric. The plot has holes but at least it sort of makes sense in the end. Overall it seems a waste of the talent in this film and the stunning locations. Having said all that I secretly enjoyed it.

Three great actors and a well paced film and what more can you ask for !!! Underrated film and a good story and nice locations Worth watching

Considering this film stars Anthony Quinn, Michael Caine AND James Mason, you probably would expect even more from this movie. Well, it's not a bad film but clearly it could have been better had the script been more interesting.

Despite Michael Caine being listed first in the credits, he doesn't even appear in the film until the 25th minute. And, clearly, the star is Quinn as the story really centers on him and he's in much more of the movie.

The story is set in Europe and is about Steven Ventura (Quinn) and his hatred for Brizard (Mason). It seems Brizard is a drug lord and is responsible for the deaths of one of Steve's friends in the opening scene. But even though he is a US intelligence agent working for the Justice Department, Brizard seems legally untouchable. So, in desperation he hires a hitman to take out Brizard. Coincidentally, the killer turns out to be one of Steve's old friends, John Derey (Caine). So what's next? Watch the film.

The story looks real nice thanks to its location shooting throughout France. It also has a mildly interesting plot. But what kept it from being better for me was a decided lack of energy in the film....which is amazing considering all the killing, drugs and mayhem. I think the film's pacing tended to be too slow for the material. Still, it is interesting and worth seeing....even if Mason had a very odd French-ish accent!

Unfortunately, none of Messrs. Caine, Quinn and Mason are on very good form here. Nor do they have much of a script to work with in this rather clunky crime drama. It is Quinn ("Ventura") an official at the US Justice Department, who has been trying for years to thwart the activities of drugs baron "Brizard" (Mason) but the man proves somewhat teflon! As a last resort, he hires an unknown assassin to finally stop his nemesis. It turns out though, that the man he has inadvertently hired in none other than his old pal "Deray" (Caine). Set amongst some gorgeous Parisian and Alpine scenery, we now play out this cat and mouse game. Aside from a rather lacklustre storyline, there is also pretty little actual action to entertain us here either. Caine is absent for petty much the entire first third of the film; Mason makes for quite a good baddie - but just features all to sparingly in what rapidly becomes a rather procedural drama enlivened only by a few of the scenes from Quinn. It is an OK watch - but not a film you are likely to recall.

AKA...The Marseille Contract...The Destructors

3 Major Old-School Leading Actor Icons...Michael Caine, Anthony Quinn, and James Mason.

Team Up with the Norish Robert Parrish for this European Drug Cartel Crime Thriller.

Featuring a Hit-Man, Crooked Cops, Back-Alley Informants, Romance and Intrigue.

Plenty of On-Location Footage with High-Speed Chases, Gun-Play, and Betrayal. Featuring a Good Jazzy Score by Roy Budd.

Violent with a High Body-Count.

The Film is Impacted with a Short Running-Time and there's Alot Going on to Pay Attention.

Little-Known Twisty Feature that Got Lost in the 70's somehow Failing to Attract Attention.

Michael Caine is the Stand-Out with Anthony Quinn Right By His Side.

Deserves to be Discovered as an Above Average Gritty Thriller that's...

Worth a Watch.

The plot sounds intriguing and we know Caine can play a hit man, but he lacks any of the bite we saw as Harry Palmer. It was his mega busy period, and this was appears to have been just another gig.

James Mason is underused, having little to do,and Anthony Quinn, despite sharing several scenes with Caine, appears to be in a different film. He looks ill at ease throughout, and a nonsensical plot twist undermines his honest cop routine.

Considering the salary bill for just these three the studio could surely have hired a director who could breath some sort of life into the limp script, hang on, why was it green lighted with that script at all? A waste.

All I knew was the cast of The Destructors before I started watching it. How could a film starring Michael Caine, Anthony Quinn, and James Mason be bad? Thankfully, I wasn't disappointed. It's an extremely entertaining movie with three powerhouse actors making the most of their roles.

The start of the film shows Anthony Quinn and his lover Alexandra Stewart getting dressed after a liaison. They seem to have a loving chemistry together, but then she mentions having to go home and relieve the babysitter—she's married. It's a perfect warning for the audience because nothing's as it seems throughout the film. Tony is a policeman, and he's continually frustrated by a drug lord's escaping the legal system. Not only does the villain peddle massive amounts of drugs in and out of the country, but he and his henchman murder without any provable trace that they're responsible. Tony's fed up and decides to take matters into his own hands by hiring a hit-man.

Even more than I love the performances of the three leads—which are very good—I love Judd Bernard's screenplay. He introduces each character with a uniquely interesting scene that helps the audience gain an accurate picture. There are so many scenes I'd love to describe in hopes of getting you hooked on the premise, from the meaningful, tension-filled scenes between Tony and Alexandra to the introduction of Tony to Michael Caine—it's natural yet nerve-wracking. Both Tony and Michael are particularly yummy in this film, if you happen to think either of them is handsome like I do. James Mason has a few miles on him, but he's classy and almost regal-looking, and his sensitive expressions outweigh any bad behavior he might be getting into. If you like any of the three actors, European-styled films, thrillers with bad boys, or want to see the famous ten-minute car chase seduction that so many films have subsequently copied, rent The Destructors for a very fun weekend movie night.

I think it could have been alot better with all the talent in this film. Never really takes off and keeps you expecting more but never delivers. I expected it too be alot better and was bored through most of the movie.

Police officer Steve Ventura has tried and failed to catch Jacques Brizard – a respectable businessman who deals drugs. In his frustration he hires a hitman to kill Brizard – the hitman turning out to be old friend John Deray. As Deray starts to get close to Brizard, Ventura strengthens his case.

I watched this back to back with another Michael Caine movie – Without a Clue. In that his presence lifted an average film into something better….however here he can't manage it. In fact, three big names can't do it. The plot is straightforward and is similar to many other 1970's thrillers. The action and the characters could also be in any other of hundreds of cheap thrillers. There are few scenes that make the film interesting – Deray showing how ruthless he is on top of a building site is one of the highlights, the car chase/romance is also interesting as it was copied (but extended) for Mission: Impossible 2.

Caine appears to be in a different movie from Quinn – he's happy go lucky, enjoying romantic dinners etc while Quinn is gritting it out on the streets with informers etc. It creates a split feel to the movie – but it's better when the two come together. Neither are good enough to make the film better than average – nor is James `The Voice' Mason, who looks like he's asleep for most of it.

Overall, there are plenty of good 1970's thrillers out there that contain these actors separately (Quinn in Across 110th Street for one) – here the three can't manage to lift this out of being average and a bit dull.

My main reason for tracking this poorly rated 70s flick was Roy Budd's score. Unfortunately there is almost nothing from his beautiful work in the final soundtrack, so don't lose time with this very bad movie, get Budd's score instead! Or if you're looking for a better euro gritty 70s crime movie starring Michael Caine and making good use of a Budd score, try The Black Windmill.

Mostly The Marseille Contract suffers from a story that succeeds in being both pedestrian and erratic. (Routine) Action happens and just doesn't add up. Michael Caine is barely guest-starring, getting his buoyant gig while Anthony Quinn's main/gloomy story is suddenly demoted to the background. James Mason simply says his uninteresting lines as requested, and the girls are great.

Too bad Roy Budd didn't get to unleash his talent for excellent movies. For me Get Carter is just OK-cool thanks to Budd + Caine, but they are both underused in The Marseille Contract.

François de Roubaix also wrote magnificent scores for lame movies but you can watch them just to enjoy the music in context; and often his scores inflated movies above their mediocre boilerplate qualities. And he also scored fine movies, even during the seventies.

Since the beginning it appears that the director has a good knowledge and ability in the "noir" gender. The actors (mainly Quinn) give the impression that a classic, perfect movie is going on. Unfortunately after a few scenes the script shows its weakness. The story is acceptable, even if not original. But the dialogues reveal soon a number of commonplaces and the director seems not to be really convinced about the movie. A very good performance by Anthony Quinn, while Michael Caine plays below its average.

clichés of genre. good actors. not the best performances but convincing. many sketches for relationship between characters. the old flavor. and a not bad story. a film who, far to be great, reminds the rules of genre in correct manner. use a high cast. and has every ingredients for crime. a sketch itself, at the first sigh, it is seductive for the tension and for the memories with many other films about same theme, for the sensitivities illustration of period, for the dust and landscapes and the tricks and the presence of actors. a film for remember the flavor of an old cinema more than entertainment. fact who could be a virtue. because it is, in many senses, a trip in time. and delight for the fans of Anthonz Quinn, James Mason or Michael Caine.

(1974) The Destructors/ The Marseille Contract ACTION/ THRILLER

Don't let the name fool you because the movie title seems like a film about a 'group' for hire but it really is exactly the opposite. Whereas, their is only two protagonists who're, Steve Ventura (Anthony Quinn) and then appearing later,John Deray (Michael Caine). The plot starts at the beginning, when you see a couple of nobody's, executed and then robbed for a small bag of drugs. One happens to be an undercover officer, friends with Steve Ventura (Quinn) who is part of law enforcement (I don't quite know what role), and he intends to get even with the bad guy, Jacques Brizard (James Mason) who at the same time attempting to get him executed as well. And then after awhile, he convinces himself that he couldn't do it alone that he needs some help by hiring contract killer, John Deray (Michael Caine) to do the job. In terms of action is concerned, this one doesn't consist much of that, but does have potential to become a well made thriller but it fails on both levels, since they're better ones to see such as "The Ipcress File" and "The Quiller Memorandum" released in 1966! I'll give credit to one of the car racing scene which was echoed on James Bond films especially on "Golden Eye" whereas you have the guy trying to introduce himself to the girl of the gangland's boss by racing her, otherwise it's nothing but an extreme waste of time.

What a curious film - choice - for such a Hollywood vet; as was DAY OF THE JACKAL for another Hollywood old timer: Fred Zinneman.... Besides Michael Caine who literally steals the show, replace Gene Hackman by Tony Quinn and Fernando Rey by James Mason - Charnier and Brizzard for those evil characters, all with French names - and I don't even speak of Marcel Bozzuffi's role, exactly the same kind he had in FRENCH CONNECTION, and you'll easily understand why the "connection" between those two films is so obvious to make. Just add some vigilante element - very fashionned in those seventies days. It is question of Marseille, the most hoodlum, gangland city of France, because of the gigantic merchandise harbor and all the open traffics towards the south part of the world that means. It is action packed, short, maybe too short, exciting to watch. For me, it is flawless.

We saw Paris and Marseille in the 1970', not so crowded yet, and the Europeans were most white, not so polluted and littered with garbage all over the places. The yellow Porsche was still a race car, but I prefer more that car Michael Caine drove. Now in 2018, Anthony Quinn, James Mason and most of the supporting bad guys and good guys were all dead for a long time, Caine is now an very old guy too. But look at Caine in the 70's, what a handsome dude! He didn't wear the big horn rim glasses yet.

The thing that I really don't quite get is why in the 70's, the American government already got the DEA operated in Europe. Yes, I do know Marseille was the major drug export city at that time, but how come the role Mason played, a pure English breed, would have been the powerful drug lord in France? Why Quinn hired the hitman then had the second thought and wanted to cancel the contract? A guy hunted by Mason's killers, retaliation should be the natural reaction. If he could hire an assassin to do the job, why he wanted to call it off later? Conscience?

Anyway, there were several eye candies around Mason's surroundings, they were really pretty, even by 2018's standard.