The Assassination Bureau
Jack London's original novel was left markedly incomplete at the time of his death, and it was not until many decades later that the thriller-writer Robert L. Fish (also known as Robert L. Pike) finished it for publication, amidst much publicity. The novel is noticeably more serious in tone than this movie, although a New York Times review at the time called it "delightfully ridiculous".,In the scene, about 40-45 minutes in, where Lord Bostwick visits General Van Pinck whilst the latter is at fencing practice, you will see a map of Europe on the wall. Although this film ostensibly takes place before World War I, the map is of post-Versailles Europe, c.1925-1939.,Miss Winter: With your ideas, I'm surprised you're shocked at the thought of war.
Ivan Dragomiloff: Not at all. It's purely a matter of business. How can we charge our sort of prices with everybody happily killing each other for a shilling a day?,Life Is a Precious Thing
Music by Ron Grainer
Lyrics by Hal Shaper
Sung by the Mike Sammes Singers,This charming film, made when Oliver Reed and Diana Rigg were at the height of their appeal, is what they used to call a "romp", when it wasn't considered to be a putdown. Reed, as Ivan, born and bred to lead an international group of highly-placed assassins, is hired by would-be reporter Sonia (Rigg) to have his group kill him, and realizing that his house badly needs some cleaning out, Ivan accepts the commission. The rest is a whirlwind tour of Europe, taking out substantial portions of the terrain as they go, avoiding bungled attempts on his life as he tries to track down the traitors who would turn the Bureau into a political machine. The dialogue is refreshingly devoid of political correctness, but maintains a firm respect between the unlikely couple as they go from bickering rivalry to bickering fondness. Guest villains include Clive Revill as a gluttonous Italian, and sad stories include the accidental demise of Roger Delgado (Dr. Who, the first Master) while on location. Much worth the time and effort, although sadly almost never seen on TV, and abysmally represented in video release.,