The Assassination of Trotsky
1972 History / Drama   

 

Review
This heavy historic drama is largely disappointing, in spite of the formidable cast.  The main reason why the film just fails to gel is the language barrier which lead actors Delon and Schneider singularly fail to overcome.  As a result, their performances lack expression and conviction.  The film would probably have worked better if it had been made in French.

The film has also been criticised for its historic inaccuracies.  However probably the most damning indictment should be reserved for Losey’s rather clumsy attempts to adopt unconventional arty filming techniques.  These serve merely to reinforce the film’s sense of emotional detachment and further distance the actors from the audience.  The result is as an ice-cold thriller singularly lacking in suspense and emotional involvement.

© James Travers 2000

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  Director: Joseph Losey
Starring: Richard Burton, Alain Delon, Romy Schneider, Valentina Cortese, Enrico Maria Salerno

Synopsis
1940.  One-time leader of the Soviet Revolution, Léon Trotsky, is living in exile in Mexico.  The current Soviet leader, Stalin, is determined that he must die and sends an assassin, Frank Jacson, to kill him…

Credits
  • Director: Joseph Losey
  • Script: Masolino D’Amico, Nicholas Mosley, Franco Solinas
  • Photo: Pasqualino De Santis
  • Music: Egisto Macchi
  • Cast: Richard Burton (Leon Trotsky), Alain Delon (Frank Jackson), Romy Schneider (Gita Samuels), Valentina Cortese (Natalia Sedowa Trotsky), Enrico Maria Salerno (Salazar), Luigi Vannucchi (Ruiz), Duilio Del Prete (Felipe), Jean Desailly (Alfred Rosmer), Simone Valère (Marguerite Rosmer), Carlos Miranda (Sheldon Harte), Peter Chatel (Otto), Michael Forest (Jim), Marco Lucantoni (Seva), Claudio Brook (Roberto), Jack Betts (Lou), Joshua Sinclair (Sam)
  • Country: France
  • Language: French
  • Runtime: 106 min
  • Aka: Life of Leon Trotsky; L’Assassinat de Trotsky
    

  

  


 


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