Brass Target

Last updated
Brass Target
Brass Target FilmPoster.jpeg
Directed by John Hough
Screenplay by Alvin Boretz
Based onThe Algonquin Project
1974 novel
by Frederick Nolan
Produced by
Starring
Cinematography Tony Imi
Edited byDavid Lane
Music by Laurence Rosenthal
Color process Metrocolor
Production
company
Distributed by United Artists
Release date
  • December 22, 1978 (1978-12-22)
Running time
111 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$5,111,000 (domestic) or $2.5 million (US rentals) [1]

Brass Target is a 1978 American suspense war film based on the 1974 novel The Algonquin Project by Frederick Nolan. [2] The film was produced by Berle Adams and Arthur Lewis and directed by John Hough. [3] It stars Sophia Loren, John Cassavetes, Robert Vaughn, George Kennedy, Patrick McGoohan and Max von Sydow. [4]

Contents

The film's plot concerns General George S. Patton's fatal automobile crash and suggests that the crash was not an accident but the result of a conspiracy.

Plot

In Europe, days after V-E Day, General Patton ordered the hoarded Nazi gold to be sent to the Reichsbank in Frankfurt. But, before the gold shipment could arrive, a daring robbery was executed and 59 U.S. Army military policemen were killed with poison gas in a railway tunnel. Further investigation revealed that a group of corrupt American officers, led by a colonel, orchestrated the crime. General Patton launched a full-scale investigation and the clues seemed to be pointing to OSS Major Joe De Luca from whom the thieves had acquired a plan from his wartime operations that enabled them to steal the gold. The General immediately placed the OSS Major under arrest and saw to it that the criminals responsible for the crime were brought to justice. But the mastermind behind the heist continued to evade detection and justice for years.

De Luca began his own investigation in order to prove General Patton's murder was not an accident. His first stop was a visit to his old wartime commander, Colonel Mike McCauley, who was now living in a requisitioned German castle. Behind the closed doors of Colonel McCauley's quarters, De Luca got leads on names and key events that were part of the unfolding conspiracy. He went on to investigate some of the other men closely associated to Patton. He discovered evidence of some American officers who were involved in a shady business venture with some Germans. He also came across strong indications that these men had hired a professional assassin to kill Patton and halt the ongoing investigation. At this point, De Luca was certain that General Patton’s death was a political move orchestrated by the corrupt officers. He was determined to find the evidence he needed to prove his theory and bring justice to the man who had inspired him and many other to serve their country with honor. De Luca knew this meant placing himself directly in harm's way, but it was a risk he was willing to take in order to bring justice.

Soon De Luca is sent on a dangerous mission with the secret service in WWII-torn Europe. He must hunt down a group of mutinous officers who falsely accused General Patton of being a traitor. As De Luca begins his mission, he is met with a number of unexpected challenges and setbacks. One such challenge comes in the form of Mara, a former lover of De Luca's who can provide valuable assistance in his mission. Before they can inquire further however, the duo discovers that a former secret service agent, Webber, is also on their trail. Not only is he looking to capture the mutineers, he is also planning on assassinating General Patton. With the time ticking, De Luca and Mara must race against time to save the general and apprehend the mutineers. De Luca is hesitant, but Mara's bravery and dexterous overtures prevail. She successfully guides De Luca, helping him identify the culprits and foiling Webber's plans in the nick of time.

In what could be one of the most shocking events of the war, Webber, a hired assassin, posed as an American soldier to take the life of General Patton. It was an elaborate scheme that required extensive planning and execution. Webber had set up a traffic accident that would take place at the precise moment to facilitate the killing. The military truck collided with Patton's car, and, at the same time, Webber fired a rubber bullet that struck Patton and broke his neck. De Luca, an FBI agent, eventually tracked down Webber and killed him with his own pistol, ensuring his fate. This incredible tragedy wrought much sorrow throughout the military as the loss of such a great leader could not easily be diminished.

Cast

Production

Development

The film is based on the 1974 historical novel The Algonquin Project by British writer Frederick W. Nolan in which a fictional protagonist tries to stop the assassination of Patton in a staged car accident. [2] For more than thirty years, the death of Patton had been regarded as an unfortunate accident; however, it was noted at the time that the release of this 1978 film had created fresh speculation and dubious interest into the general's death. [5] MGM was accused of hyping the conspiracy theory in order to market the film. [6] Numerous books have since been published on the subject culminating in the "sensationalist" but "widely read" 2008 best-seller Target: Patton, The Plot to Assassinate General George S. Patton. [7] [8]

Although approximately $2.5 billion in German gold, most of which is still missing, was determined to have been pilfered in several separate thefts, no train robbery occurred as depicted in the film. Brass Target, despite a lukewarm reception upon its release, is noted for its attention to historical detail in an early post-war Europe. The Cold War had not started but relations with the Russians are shown to have already become frosty.

Casting

Many American soldiers from the 66th MI Group who were stationed in Munich appear as extras in the film. [9] [5]

Filming

Brass Target was shot on location in Munich, Bavaria, West Germany and Switzerland. [9]

Release

Brass Target was released in theaters on December 22, 1978 in the United States [9] and March 2, 1979 in the United Kingdom.[ citation needed ]

The film was released on DVD on August 30, 2012 by the Warner Archive Collection. [10] MGM Home Entertainment (under license from WB) released Brass Target on DVD as part of its Sophia Loren Collection. [11]

Reception

Vincent Canby of The New York Times wrote in his review: "It is the dubious premise of The Brass Target, a film full of dubiety, that Gen. George S. Patton was assassinated in Germany in 1945 by a motley crew of United States Army officers in an attempt to hide their theft of $250 million in Nazi gold. History says that General Patton died in Germany in 1945 following an automobile accident, but Frederick Nolan, who wrote The Algonquin Project, this film's source material, has connected various unsolved mysteries to make a wobbly case for his conspiracy theory. As historical speculation goes, it's less interesting than wondering where we might be today if Ford's Theater had been playing Uncle Tom's Cabin that fateful night in 1865, instead of Our American Cousin . Would Lincoln have attended, or might he have said, "Mary, I just can't sit through it again"? You may elect not to sit through international claptrap like this film, which doesn't measure up even to The Cassandra Crossing ... The Brass Target, which has been rated PG ("Parental Guidance Suggested"), contains a lot of violence, all of it simulated but random in the way of simple-minded movie-making." [5]

Brass Target has a "plot so plausible that we have to remind ourselves it is fiction. The movie earns it's strips and they never have found the murder weapon." From "Brass Target" Classy Thriller by Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times, Dec. 26 1978.

Related Research Articles

<i>Heat</i> (1995 film) 1995 film by Michael Mann

Heat is a 1995 American crime film written and directed by Michael Mann. It features an ensemble cast led by Al Pacino and Robert De Niro, with Tom Sizemore, Jon Voight and Val Kilmer in supporting roles. The film follows the conflict between an Los Angeles Police Department detective, played by Pacino, and a career thief, played by De Niro, while also depicting its effect on their professional relationships and personal lives.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Organisation armée secrète</span> 1961–1962 French far-right paramilitary organisation in the Algerian War

The Organisation armée secrète was a far-right French dissident paramilitary and terrorist organisation during the Algerian War. The OAS carried out several terrorist attacks, including bombings and assassinations, in an attempt to prevent Algeria's independence from French colonial rule. Its motto was L’Algérie est française et le restera.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">20 July plot</span> Attempt to assassinate Adolf Hitler, 1944

The 20 July plot was a failed attempt to assassinate Adolf Hitler, the chancellor and leader of Nazi Germany, and overthrow the Nazi regime on 20 July 1944. The plotters were part of the German resistance, mainly composed of Wehrmacht officers. The leader of the conspiracy, Claus von Stauffenberg, tried to kill Hitler by detonating an explosive hidden in a briefcase. However, due to the location of the bomb at the time of detonation, the blast only dealt Hitler minor injuries. The planners' subsequent coup attempt also failed and resulted in a purge of the Wehrmacht.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">E. Howard Hunt</span> American intelligence officer and author (1918–2007)

Everette Howard Hunt Jr. was an American intelligence officer and author. From 1949 to 1970, Hunt served as an officer in the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), where he was a central figure in U.S. regime change in Latin America including the 1954 Guatemalan coup d'état and the 1961 Bay of Pigs Invasion in Cuba. Along with G. Gordon Liddy, Frank Sturgis, and others, Hunt was one of the Nixon administration's so-called White House Plumbers, a team of operatives charged with identifying government leaks to outside parties.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Patrick McGoohan</span> Irish American actor (1928–2009)

Patrick Joseph McGoohan was an Irish-American actor of film, television, and theatre. Born in New York City to Irish parents, he was raised in Ireland and England. He began his career in England during the 1950s and became well known for the titular role of secret agent John Drake in the ITC espionage programme Danger Man (1960–1968). He then created, produced, and starred as former British intelligence agent Number Six in the surrealistic ITV series The Prisoner (1967–1968).

Frederick William Nolan was an English editor and writer, mostly known as Frederick Nolan; he also used the pen names Donald Severn, Daniel Rockfern, Christine McGuire, and Frederick H. Christian.

Wolfgang Preiss was a German theatre, film and television actor.

<i>Shadow Conspiracy</i> 1997 American film

Shadow Conspiracy is a 1997 American political thriller film starring Charlie Sheen, Donald Sutherland, Linda Hamilton, and Sam Waterston. It was the final film directed by George P. Cosmatos.

<i>Gods and Generals</i> (film) 2003 American film

Gods and Generals is a 2003 American epic war drama film written and directed by Ronald F. Maxwell. It is an adaptation of the 1996 novel of the same name by Jeffrey Shaara and prequel to Maxwell's 1993 film Gettysburg. Most of the film was personally financed by media mogul Ted Turner. The film follows the story of Stonewall Jackson from the beginning of the American Civil War to his death at the Battle of Chancellorsville.

<i>Valkyrie</i> (film) 2008 film by Bryan Singer

Valkyrie is a 2008 thriller film directed by Bryan Singer, written by Christopher McQuarrie and Nathan Alexander, starring Tom Cruise. The film is set in Nazi Germany during World War II and depicts the 20 July plot in 1944 by German army officers to assassinate Adolf Hitler and to use the Operation Valkyrie national emergency plan to take control of the country. The film was released by American studio United Artists and stars Cruise as Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, one of the key plotters. The supporting cast includes Kenneth Branagh, Bill Nighy, Eddie Izzard, Terence Stamp, and Tom Wilkinson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Antonio Imbert Barrera</span> Dominican army general (1920–2016)

Major General Antonio Cosme Imbert Barrera was a Dominican military officer and the 44th President of the Dominican Republic from May to August 1965.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oster conspiracy</span> Proposed plan to overthrow Adolf Hitler

The Oster Conspiracy, also called the September Conspiracy, of 1938 was a proposed plan to overthrow German Führer Adolf Hitler and the Nazi regime if Germany went to war with Czechoslovakia over the Sudetenland. It was led by Generalmajor Hans Oster, deputy head of the Abwehr, and other high-ranking conservatives within the Wehrmacht who opposed the regime for behavior that was threatening to bring Germany into a war that they believed it was not ready to fight. They planned to overthrow Hitler and the Nazi regime through a storming of the Reich Chancellery by forces loyal to the plot to take control of the government, who would either arrest or assassinate Hitler, and restore the Monarchy under Prince Wilhelm of Prussia, the grandson of Wilhelm II.

<i>The Last Days of Patton</i> 1986 film directed by Delbert Mann

The Last Days of Patton is a 1986 American made-for-television biographical drama film and sequel to the 1970 film Patton, portraying the last few months of the general's life. George C. Scott reprises the role of General George S. Patton, and Eva Marie Saint portrays Beatrice Patton, the general's wife. It was directed by Delbert Mann.

<i>Devils Island</i> (1939 film) 1939 film

Devil's Island is a 1939 American prison film directed by William Clemens and starring Boris Karloff. This film is notable for Karloff in a then-rare sympathetic role, as opposed to his usual antagonistic characters in horror films. The plot appears to have been recycled from John Ford's The Prisoner of Shark Island, which depicted the true story of doctor Samuel Mudd, who treated the injury of John Wilkes Booth after he assassinated Lincoln.

<i>The Liquidator</i> (1965 film) 1965 British film by Jack Cardiff

The Liquidator is a 1965 British thriller film directed by Jack Cardiff and starring Rod Taylor, Trevor Howard, and Jill St. John. It was based on The Liquidator (1964), the first of a series of Boysie Oakes novels by John Gardner.

The CIA Kennedy assassination is a prominent John F. Kennedy assassination conspiracy theory. According to ABC News, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is represented in nearly every theory that involves American conspirators. The secretive nature of the CIA, and the conjecture surrounding the high-profile political assassinations in the United States during the 1960s, has made the CIA a plausible suspect for some who believe in a conspiracy. Conspiracy theorists have ascribed various motives for CIA involvement in the assassination of President Kennedy, including Kennedy's firing of CIA director Allen Dulles, Kennedy's refusal to provide air support to the Bay of Pigs invasion, Kennedy's plan to cut the agency's budget by 20 percent, and the belief that the president was weak on communism. In 1979, the House Select Committee on Assassinations (HSCA) concluded that the CIA was not involved in the assassination of Kennedy.

"The Promised Land" is an episode from the police drama television series New York Undercover, and was first broadcast on February 20, 1997 on Fox. Written by Reggie Rock Bythewood and directed by Don Kurt, it is the 17th episode of the third season, and the 69th episode of the series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John F. Kennedy assassination conspiracy theories</span> Conspiracy theories regarding the assassination of JFK

The assassination of John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963, has spawned numerous conspiracy theories. These theories allege the involvement of the CIA, the Mafia, Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson, Cuban Prime Minister Fidel Castro, the KGB, or some combination of these individuals and entities. Some conspiracy theories have alleged a coverup by parts of the federal government, such as the original FBI investigators, the Warren Commission, or the CIA. Former Los Angeles District Attorney Vincent Bugliosi estimated that a total of 42 groups, 82 assassins, and 214 people had been accused at one time or another in various conspiracy scenarios.

<i>Killing Patton</i> 2014 book written by Bill OReilly and Martin Dugard

Killing Patton: The Strange Death of World War II's Most Audacious General is a book written by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard about the final year of World War II and the death of General George Patton, specifically whether it was an accident or an assassination. The book is the follow-up to Killing Kennedy, Killing Lincoln, and Killing Jesus and was published in September 2014 through Henry Holt and Company.

References

  1. THE BIG THUDS OF 1979--FILMS THAT FLOPPED, BADLY Epstein, Andrew. Los Angeles Times 27 Apr 1980: o6.
  2. 1 2 Nolan, Frederick W. (1974). The Algonquin Project (1st ed.). New York City: William Morrow and Company. ISBN   978-0688003197.
  3. "Brass Target". Turner Classic Movies . Atlanta: Turner Broadcasting System (Time Warner). Retrieved March 1, 2016.
  4. Variety film review; December 13, 1978.
  5. 1 2 3 Canby, Vincent (December 22, 1978). "Screen: Patton Plot:Historical Speculation". The New York Times . New York City . Retrieved November 28, 2016.
  6. Peter J. K. Hendrikx. "The Death of General George S. Patton" (PDF). www.osssociety.org. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
  7. "Was Patton Murdered?: What is the truth behind the death of America's greatest World War II battlefield commander?". www.historynet.com. November 30, 2022.
  8. Wilcox, Robert K. (2008). Target: Patton: The Plot to Assassinate General George S. Patton (1st ed.). Washington, D.C.: Regnery History. ISBN   978-1596985797.
  9. 1 2 3 "Brass Target". American Film Institute . Los Angeles . Retrieved November 28, 2016.
  10. "Brass Target". Warner Archive Collection . Burbank, California: Warner Home Video. August 30, 2012. ASIN   B008NNY8HW . Retrieved November 28, 2016.
  11. "Brass Target". MGM Home Entertainment . Burbank, California: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. ASIN   B0007655GG . Retrieved November 28, 2016.