The Evil That Men Do (film)

Last updated

The Evil That Men Do
The-Evil-That-Men-Do.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by J. Lee Thompson
Written by
Based onThe Evil That Men Do
1978 novel
by R. Lance Hill
Produced byPancho Kohner
Starring
CinematographyJavier Ruvalcaba Cruz
Edited byEnrique Estevez
Music by Ken Thorne
Production
company
Distributed by Tri-Star Pictures
Release date
  • September 21, 1984 (1984-09-21)
Running time
90 minutes
Countries
  • Mexico
  • United States [1]
LanguageEnglish
Budget$4.6 million [2]
Box office$13.1 million [3]

The Evil That Men Do is a 1984 action thriller film directed by J. Lee Thompson, and starring Charles Bronson, Theresa Saldana, and Joseph Maher. The film was adapted by David Lee Henry and John Crowther from the novel of the same name by R. Lance Hill. Bronson plays a former assassin who comes out of retirement to avenge the death of his journalist friend at the hands of a torturer called "The Doctor", who works for various dictatorships worldwide, particularly those of Operation Condor. The film marks the fifth collaboration between Bronson and director J. Lee Thompson, following St. Ives (1976), The White Buffalo (1977), Caboblanco (1980), and 10 to Midnight (1983).

Contents

Plot

In Suriname, Clement Molloch, referred to as "The Doctor", is shown torturing a journalist, Jorge Hidalgo, to death with electricity in front of government officials. Outside of the building, an Israeli Mossad team attempts to rig a bomb under the Doctor's car. The operation fails and one team member is killed.

In the Cayman Islands, Holland (Charles Bronson), a retired assassin, lives in relative peace. An old friend asks him to assassinate the Doctor. Though he initially refuses to intervene, after learning his friend Jorge was killed by him and watching video testimonies of Molloch's other torture victims around the world, including Chile and Asia, Holland decides to avenge his friend. He agrees to search for Molloch but wants to appear as a family man/tourist and therefore accompanies Jorge's widow Rhiana and her daughter Sarah into Guatemala, where the Doctor is based.

The three meet up with Max Ortiz, a friend, who takes them to a cockfighting-ring frequented by Molloch. They are followed by an apparently-crippled man, but Holland alerts him to his presence before he can get to him and he escapes. Later, Max takes them to Molloch's compound. Holland returns at night and sees the "crippled" man walking normally. He scopes out the lights and cameras for later.

Holland and Rhiana go into town for information. While he is off at the bar, a local harasses Rhiana. Holland crushes his groin and neck to a cheering crowd and catches the attention of another of Molloch's henchmen. Holland and Rhiana trick him into returning to their hotel for a "threesome", and Holland kills him by throwing a knife into his throat. Rhiana is horrified and Holland demands she return home, as his mission is becoming dangerous. However, Rhiana refuses, wanting to see the Doctor killed in person.

Holland decides to draw the Doctor out by kidnapping his sister Claire. He breaks into her hotel room and awaits her return. She returns, but with her female lover, and Holland is forced to wait for her to leave, hiding under the bed during their romantic encounter. After she leaves, a male henchman comes in and begins rolling a joint. Holland apprehends him while Claire showers. He kidnaps Claire and throws the man off the balcony with a fire hose tied around his neck, hanging him publicly to cause a distraction for him and Claire to escape. They go to a ranch owned by Max and Holland advises Max to go into hiding.

Unbeknownst to Holland, Molloch has the local militia arrest Max, whom he tortures to reveal Holland's hideout. When Molloch calls to negotiate, he inadvertently reveals that he knows their location. Holland puts Claire in the trunk of a car, and he and Rhiana drive off. Assassins sent by the US ambassador (whom Molloch has paid off) follow, and after a shootout and chase, crash their car and die; Claire dies in Holland's trunk. Holland and Rhiana buy a local farmer's truck and head to the village of Magdalena. They are followed by the US ambassador and other thugs.

When Holland and Rhiana arrive, they meet a man who owns a cafe and phone. They go to his place to use the phone and are confronted by the ambassador and a gunman. Holland kills both men and calls Molloch, demanding he come alone to retrieve Claire from a nearby abandoned mine. At the mine, they find several disfigured men looking for any remaining opal. They advise the men to leave because danger approaches, but they refuse, going into hiding only when they see Molloch's car approaching.

Molloch reveals he has captured Rhiana's daughter, Sarah. Panicking because they do not have Claire, Holland plays a tape recording of her voice. Molloch runs into the open and the miners recognize him as the man who disfigured and tortured them. They approach his car and, becoming nervous when a miner hits him with a rock, the chauffeur holding Sarah is distracted and Holland kills him. Sarah runs to Rhiana and the miners slowly encroach on Molloch in his car, breaking in and killing him with their hammers and picks. Holland, Rhiana and Sarah return safely to Holland's home in the Cayman Islands.

Cast

Production

Original novel

The film was based on a novel that was published in 1978. [4] The Globe and Mail said "The elements of a good thriller are here. The action is well paced, Guatemala is evoked superbly as a backdrop and the research is impeccable. But this gives us only an ornate playing board without much of a game transpiring on the surface." [5]

The New York Times said "if it's action you crave, The Evil that Men Do is as lively as they come." [6]

Development

Film rights were purchased in 1980 by a company consisting of Charles Bronson, his wife Jill Ireland, J. Lee Thompson and producer Pancho Kohner. They arranged for a script to be written. Kohner almost set up the movie at Cannon Films, who had a success making Death Wish II with Bronson, but Cannon refused to reimburse the cost of the screenplay and rights option. Bronson wound up making Ten to Midnight for Cannon directed by Thompson. Kohner succeeded in securing $4.6 million in finance for The Evil That Men Do from ITC Entertainment. It was the last of a three picture deal between ITC and Bronson, the first two being Love and Bullets and Borderline. [2]

Thompson became involved in editing 10 to Midnight and dropped out of the movie. In March 1983 it was announced that Charles Bronson would star alongside his wife Jill Ireland with Fielder Cook to direct. [7] Ireland decided to drop out and give her role to Theresa Saldana, an actor who had been the victim of a recent stalking attack and was struggling to re-establish herself. [2]

Writing

The movie's first draft was written by the novel's writer, R. Lance Hill (as per the terms of his contract). [2] John Crowther was hired to rewrite the draft in the spring of 1982. [2] Crowther was originally hired on a weekly contract, but when the producers realized the extent to which the script needed rewriting, it was drastically extended. Prior to rewriting the film's screenplay, Crowther had written the martial-arts, action movie Kill and Kill Again . Crowther had known Pancho Kohner—the movie's producer—for many years. [2] It was Kohner who hired him to rewrite the script. [2] In addition to this, Crowther had worked on Bronson's earlier movies. [2] For example, he was an uncredited writer on Love and Bullets ; [2] and a casting director on 10 to Midnight . [2]

According to Crowther, Hill's script was of poor quality, and the producers knew that it would need "major rewrites". [2] In Crowther's opinion, there were "holes" in the logic of Hill's script. [2] He gave an example where, in the novel, Molloch is said to have better security than an "Israeli Mossad". But in the reality of Hill's script, Molloch merely has "three lame-os" providing him with security. [2] Crowther called Hill's premise "ridiculous". [2] Crowther felt that it was a constant challenge to rewrite the script. [2]

To make the movie more interesting, seven of the novel’s minor characters were cut from the script. [2] In addition to this, a number of vignettes were also cut, including: Moloch’s surreal dream of being tortured in a concentration camp by Josef Mengele. [2]

Filming

The cast and crew went to Mexico to begin filming the movie in March, 1983. [2] By shooting the movie in Mexico, the producers saved a lot of money. [2] There was no sound stage, and everything was shot on location. [2] Producer Pancho Kohner and executive producer Lance Hool were on set for the entire time of filming. [2]

When the unit went to Mexico, Fielder Cook was still director. Cook says that during pre production "it became painfully obvious after about a week or so that Fielder was really not up to this" and the director was fired. J. Lee Thompson was called in to replace him only days before filming was to start. [2]

Bronson was contracted to film at least eight hours a day. According to Crowther, because Bronson's family was with him on set, he would not work more hours than what was stated in his contract. Kohner said that during filming, Thompson was very proficient and knew exactly what shots he wanted to capture. [2]

Reception

Critical response

Rotten Tomatoes, a review aggregator, reports that 40% of five surveyed critics gave the film a positive review; the average rating was 4.8/10. [8]

Janet Maslin of The New York Times wrote that audiences want to see Bronson kill people, and the film delivers many audience-pleasing kills. [9] Time Out London called it "a clumsy catalogue of pain and death". [10] Fred Lutz of the Toledo Blade identified the film as a comeback for Bronson. [11] Dan Lorentz of the Milwaukee Sentinel wrote that the film is violent and exploitative, but it will probably satisfy fans of Bronson. [12]

Related Research Articles

<i>Ride the High Country</i> 1962 film by Sam Peckinpah

Ride the High Country is a 1962 American CinemaScope Western film directed by Sam Peckinpah and starring Randolph Scott, Joel McCrea, and Mariette Hartley. The supporting cast includes Edgar Buchanan, James Drury, Warren Oates, and Ron Starr. The film's script, though credited solely to veteran TV screenwriter N. B. Stone Jr., was – according to producer Richard E. Lyons – almost entirely the work of Stone's friend and colleague, William S. Roberts, and Peckinpah himself.

<i>What Lies Beneath</i> 2000 American film

What Lies Beneath is a 2000 American psychological supernatural horror film directed by Robert Zemeckis from a screenplay written by Clark Gregg, based on a story by Sarah Kernochan and Gregg. It stars Harrison Ford and Michelle Pfeiffer, with Diana Scarwid, Joe Morton, James Remar and Miranda Otto appearing in supporting roles. It was the first film released by Zemeckis' production company, ImageMovers. The original film score was composed by Alan Silvestri.

<i>Beverly Hills Cop</i> 1984 film by Martin Brest

Beverly Hills Cop is a 1984 American buddy cop action comedy film directed by Martin Brest, screenplay by Daniel Petrie Jr., story by Danilo Bach and Daniel Petrie Jr., and starring Eddie Murphy as Axel Foley, a street-smart Detroit detective who visits Beverly Hills, California to solve the murder of his best friend. Judge Reinhold, John Ashton, Ronny Cox, Lisa Eilbacher, Steven Berkoff, Paul Reiser, and Jonathan Banks appear in supporting roles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Novelization</span> Adaptation of another work into a novel

A novelization is a derivative novel that adapts the story of a work created for another medium, such as a film, TV series, stage play, comic book, or video game. Film novelizations were particularly popular before the advent of home video, but continue to find commercial success as part of marketing campaigns for major films. They are often written by accomplished writers based on an early draft of the film's script and on a tight deadline.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">J. Lee Thompson</span> British film director (1914–2002)

John Lee Thompson was a British film director, active in London and Hollywood, best known for award-winning films such as Woman in a Dressing Gown, Ice Cold in Alex and The Guns of Navarone along with cult classics like Cape Fear, Conquest of the Planet of the Apes, Battle for the Planet of the Apes and The White Buffalo.

<i>Payback</i> (1999 film) 1999 film by Brian Helgeland

Payback is a 1999 American neo-noir action thriller film written and directed by Brian Helgeland in his directorial debut, and starring Mel Gibson, Gregg Henry, Maria Bello, and David Paymer. It is based on the novel The Hunter by Donald E. Westlake using the pseudonym Richard Stark, which had earlier been adapted into the 1967 film noir classic Point Blank, directed by John Boorman and starring Lee Marvin.

<i>The Brides of Dracula</i> 1960 film

The Brides of Dracula is a 1960 British supernatural horror film produced by Hammer Film Productions. Directed by Terence Fisher, the film stars Peter Cushing, David Peel, Freda Jackson, Yvonne Monlaur, Andrée Melly, and Martita Hunt. The film is a sequel to the 1958 film Dracula, though the character of Count Dracula does not appear in the film, and is instead mentioned only twice. Christopher Lee would reprise his role as Dracula in the next film in the Dracula series, Dracula: Prince of Darkness (1966).

<i>Navy SEALs</i> (film) 1990 film by Lewis Teague

Navy SEALS is a 1990 American military action film, directed by Lewis Teague, written by Chuck Pfarrer and Gary Goldman, and produced by Brenda Feigen and Bernard Williams with consultant William Bradley. The film stars Charlie Sheen, Michael Biehn, Joanne Whalley-Kilmer, Rick Rossovich, Cyril O'Reilly, Bill Paxton, and Dennis Haysbert.

<i>Faust: Love of the Damned</i> (film) 2000 film

Faust: Love of the Damned is a 2000 Spanish English-language superhero horror film directed by Brian Yuzna. It is adapted from a screenplay by David Quinn and Miguel Tejada-Flores based on the comic book of the same name by Tim Vigil and David Quinn. It was produced by Ted Chalmers, Carlos, Julio and Antonio Fernández, Bea Morillas, Miguel Torrente and Brian Yuzna. It premiered at the Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival on 12 October 2000.

<i>Extreme Prejudice</i> (film) 1987 film by Walter Hill

Extreme Prejudice is a 1987 American neo-Western action thriller film starring Nick Nolte and Powers Boothe, with a supporting cast including Michael Ironside, María Conchita Alonso, Rip Torn, William Forsythe, and Clancy Brown. The film was directed by Walter Hill, with a screenplay by Harry Kleiner and Deric Washburn from a story by John Milius and Fred Rexer.

<i>Guns for San Sebastian</i> 1968 film by Henri Verneuil

Guns for San Sebastian is a 1968 action-adventure film based on the 1962 novel A Wall for San Sebastian, written by Rev. Fr. William Barnaby "Barby" Faherty, S.J. The film is directed by Frenchman Henri Verneuil, and stars Anthony Quinn, Anjanette Comer and Charles Bronson. The score is by Ennio Morricone, who would then use his work in this film as an inspiration for the main theme in The Mercenary. Filming took place in Sierra de Órganos National Park in the town of Sombrerete, Mexico It was made as a co-production between France, Italy, Mexico, and the United States.

<i>Kinjite: Forbidden Subjects</i> 1989 film by J. Lee Thompson

Kinjite: Forbidden Subjects is a 1989 American action thriller film starring Charles Bronson and directed by J. Lee Thompson. As Thompson's final film, it was the last project he and Bronson did together—a long and famed Hollywood collaboration. The word "kinjite" (禁じて) translates to English as "forbidden move", hinting at the subject matter.

<i>Murphys Law</i> (film) 1986 thriller film by J. Lee Thompson

Murphy's Law is a 1986 American neo-noir action thriller film directed by J. Lee Thompson from a screenplay by Gail Morgan Hickman. It was released by Cannon Films to the United States on April 18, 1986. The film stars Charles Bronson and Kathleen Wilhoite in lead roles with a supporting cast that includes Carrie Snodgress, Robert F. Lyons, and Richard Romanus. The film marks the sixth collaboration between Bronson and director J. Lee Thompson.

<i>The Lusty Men</i> 1952 film by Nicholas Ray, Robert Parrish

The Lusty Men is a 1952 Western film released by Wald-Krasna Productions and RKO Radio Pictures starring Susan Hayward, Robert Mitchum, Arthur Kennedy and Arthur Hunnicutt. The picture was directed by Nicholas Ray and produced by Jerry Wald and Norman Krasna from a screenplay by Wald, David Dortort, Horace McCoy, and Alfred Hayes that was based on the novel by Claude Stanush. The music score was by Roy Webb and the cinematography by Lee Garmes.

<i>Death Wish</i> (1974 film) 1974 American vigilante action drama film

Death Wish is a 1974 American vigilante action film loosely based on the 1972 novel of the same title by Brian Garfield. Directed by Michael Winner, the film stars Charles Bronson as Paul Kersey, an architect who becomes a vigilante after his wife is murdered and daughter molested during a home invasion. This was the first film in the Death Wish film series; it was followed eight years later with Death Wish II and other similar films.

<i>Death Wish 4: The Crackdown</i> 1987 American action thriller film by J. Lee Thompson

Death Wish 4: The Crackdown is a 1987 American vigilante action-thriller film, and the fourth installment in the Death Wish film series. The film was directed by J. Lee Thompson, and features Charles Bronson, who reprises his leading role as Paul Kersey. In the film, Kersey is once again forced to become a vigilante after his girlfriend's daughter dies of a drug overdose. He is recruited by a tabloid owner, Nathan White to take down various crime figures of the Los Angeles drug trade.

<i>10 to Midnight</i> 1983 film

10 to Midnight is a 1983 American crime-horror-thriller film directed by J. Lee Thompson from a screenplay originally written by William Roberts. The film stars Charles Bronson in the lead role with a supporting cast that includes Lisa Eilbacher, Andrew Stevens, Gene Davis, Geoffrey Lewis, and Wilford Brimley. 10 to Midnight was released by City Films, a subsidiary of Cannon Films, to American cinemas on March 11, 1983.

<i>Messenger of Death</i> 1988 film by J. Lee Thompson

Messenger of Death is a 1988 American crime-action thriller film starring Charles Bronson about an attempt by a water company to start a family feud among fundamentalist Mormons to take the family's land for the company.

<i>The Shocking Miss Pilgrim</i> 1947 film by George Seaton

The Shocking Miss Pilgrim is a 1947 American musical comedy film in Technicolor written and directed by George Seaton and starring Betty Grable and Dick Haymes.

<i>Adieu lami</i> 1968 film

Adieu l'ami is a 1968 French-Italian heist crime film directed by Jean Herman and produced by Serge Silberman, with a screenplay by Sebastien Japrisot. The film was a great success in Europe and made Charles Bronson a star there after a career as a supporting actor in Hollywood.

References

  1. ↑ "The Evil that Men Do". British Film Institute . Archived from the original on January 21, 2009. Retrieved November 10, 2012.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Talbot, Paul. "CINEMA RETRO SPECIAL REPORT: PAUL TALBOT ON ... Celebrating Films of the 1960s & 1970s, www.cinemaretro.com, February 01, 2014. Retrieved June 23, 2015.
  3. ↑ "The Evil That Men Do". Box Office Mojo . Retrieved February 16, 2014.
  4. ↑ suspect thrills from R. Lance Hill in "The Evil That Men Do" Maclean's; Toronto, Canada Vol. 91, Iss. 31, (Dec 11, 1978): 62.
  5. ↑ An ornate playing board without much of a game THE EVIL THAT MEN DO BY R. LANCE HILL Fitzhenry & Whiteside 309 pages, $11.95 REVIEWED BY IAN PEARSON Pearson, Ian. The Globe and Mail 03 Feb 1979: P.40.
  6. ↑ CRIME By Newgate Callendar. New York Times 11 Mar 1979: BR7.
  7. ↑ BRONSON TO APPEAR IN 'THE EVIL THAT MEN DO' Philadelphia Inquirer 23 Mar 1983: E.10.
  8. ↑ "The Evil That Men Do (1984)". Rotten Tomatoes . Retrieved February 16, 2014.
  9. ↑ Maslin, Janet (September 22, 1984). "The Evil That Men Do (1984)". The New York Times . Retrieved February 16, 2014.
  10. ↑ "The Evil That Men Do". Time Out London . Retrieved February 16, 2014.
  11. ↑ Lutz, Fred (September 21, 1984). "Bronson More Likeable, Credible In 'Evil' Film". Toledo Blade . Retrieved February 16, 2014.
  12. ↑ Lorentz, Dan (September 28, 1984). "'Evil' for Bronson Fans fr rudrscrrnly". Milwaukee Sentinel . Retrieved February 16, 2014.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.