The Domino Principle (1977)

The excellent cast is the main reason to watch this passable drama, even though they have been better utilized in other films. As it is, the movie is pretty forgettable, if competently made. Stanley Kramer, legendary helmer of such classics as "Inherit the Wind, "Judgment at Nuremberg", and "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner", directs from a script by Adam Kennedy, who adapts his own novel. There's violence, plot twists, and an unconvincing romance as part of this not terribly interesting tale.It begins as a narrator forces us to ponder the idea that we are all manipulated at some point in our lives. It then goes on to show us a none-too-bright schmuck who lets himself get jerked around, to his great regret. That man is Roy Tucker (Gene Hackman), who's doing time for murder and who gets sprung from jail by one of those standard-issue shady organizations that we've all seen in movies that are up to no good. Roy finds out that he's been recruited as an assassin, but it remains to be seen if he'll actually grow a brain and stop letting himself be used.Most of the actors try their best, although Candice Bergen, who'd previously played Hackmans' young wife in the grim, violent Western "The Hunting Party", is miscast in a deglamourized role and simply looks uncomfortable. Co-starring are Richard Widmark, Edward Albert, and Eli Wallach as assorted heavies, Mickey Rooney as Tuckers' cellmate, Ken Swofford as a warden, and Jay Novello as an immigration officer. Also helping to keep this thing watchable are effective photography and fine scenery, as well as a nice score by Billy Goldenberg. Otherwise, this isn't exactly stimulating, and in the end it sure isn't surprising.If one is a fan of the talent assembled, they may see this as a mild diversion.Five out of 10.

"The Domino Principle" has all but been forgotten today. Seeing it, it becomes clear why it hasn't become a cult movie to any degree. I will admit that it's not a terrible movie; in fact, it has some positive attributes. Gene Hackman is, as usual, solid. And Candice Bergen, who has been criticized many times for her bad performances in this time of her life, actually gives a decent performance. The movie also starts off fairly well, with quite a bit of mystery that slowly unpeels. But the movie ultimately unfolds TOO slowly. It takes forever for Hackman to get out of prison, and takes much longer for Hackman to understand what the mysterious organization wants from him. And we never really learn who the target is, and why he is targeted! I never would have guessed a famous filmmaker like Stanley Kramer was behind this movie, not just for its unusually slow pace but also for the fact that aside from some bad language and some violence, the movie feels exactly like a made-for-TV effort.

This is one of those films which stars a great movie actor, Gene Hackman. The premise is from the Adam Kennedy novel called " The Domino Princiiple. " Roy Tucker, (Gene Hackman) a Viet-Nam veteran who is serving time in prison for murder is visited by a strange, and apparently powerful man Richard Widmark) who offers to get him released if he will use his special abilities. Having nothing to lose, Tucker agrees, with a single condition, to have his wife Ellie (Candice Bergen) released as well. The organization grants his request and promises much more. After a few weeks, Tucker is given the secret assignment and he quickly realizes the job has no future for him or his wife. However, he also knows to fight the organization will not be easy. If you have already seen the earlier version called 'The Paralax View' you'll realize this is a less convincing version. Despite the fact, top notch director, Standly Kramer, Mickey Rooney, Edward Albert, Jay Novello and Eli Wallach, were all involved in this project, it fails to match the earlier movie with Warren Beatty. Still, with Hackman doing his best, it remains interesting. ***

First, it takes a full half hour to get Hackman out of jail and to start doing the job. What a waste of time, we all know Hackman is getting out to do some job for his masters, why waste almost a third of the movie on these sequences. Then Hackman stays in a hotel and the story arc again goes nowhere, simply proving to us that Hackman is under close watch and anything he says or does is know by the masters. Again, another 20 minutes. Then more wasted time showing the reunion with his wife. All of this should have taken 10-15 minutes at most simply as a set-up for the real action, intrigue and plot twists. By the time the real action gets going, I was so bored that I just wanted the movie to end. Hackman is great as usual, and the other actors as well, but this is a dud of the first magnitude.