Scorpio, der Killer (1973)

Scorpio, der Killer: Directed by Michael Winner. With Burt Lancaster, Alain Delon, Paul Scofield, John Colicos. During the Cold War, the CIA orders free-lance operative Scorpio to assassinate his former CIA mentor Cross and a deadly cat-and-mouse game ensues.

“Whereas Ian Fleming and Robert Ludlum tended toward the super-hero approach to international espionage, John Le Carre preferred itu0026#39;s more-realistic side: the tawdry shadow-world of betrayal, futility, and the brutal exploitation of human weakness. It looks like screenwriters Daniel W. Rintels and Gerald Wilson and director Michael Winner took a page from the Le Carre playbook when crafting this 1973 thriller.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eScorpio ranks with The Spy Who Came In From The Cold and The Looking Glass War as one of the best espionage flicks ever made. Burt Lancaster displays subtle depth as a veteran CIA agent who might be turning to the other side. Alain Delon excels as the young French assassin tasked with the liquidation of his old friend and mentor. Paul Scofield, John Colicos, and a young James Sikking all turn in fine supporting performances.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eScorpio is a lesser-known yet very satisfying classic from the Anti-Hero/Anti-Establishment era of the 1970u0026#39;s.”