Killer Elite (film)
| Killer Elite | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Gary McKendry |
| Written by | Matt Sherring |
| Produced by | Michael Boughen Tony Winley Steve Chasman Sigurjón Sighvatsson[1] |
| Starring | Jason Statham Clive Owen Yvonne Strahovski Dominic Purcell Robert De Niro |
| Cinematography | Simon Duggan |
| Edited by | John Gulbert |
| Music by | Johnny Klimek Reinhold Heil |
Production companies | Ambience Entertainment Palomar Pictures Omnilab Media |
| Distributed by | Open Road Films |
Release date |
|
Running time | 100 minutes |
| Countries | Template:Film US Template:Film Australia |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $66 million[2]–$70 million[3] |
Killer Elite is a 2011 action film starring Jason Statham, Clive Owen, Robert De Niro, Yvonne Strahovski, and Dominic Purcell. The film is based on the 1991 novel The Feather Men by Sir Ranulph Fiennes, and is directed by Gary McKendry.
Plot
Sir Ranulph Fiennes' novel, controversially claimed to have been based on actual events, concerns a series of assassinations of members of the British Special Air Service (SAS) by a hit squad called "The Clinic". The "Feather Men" of the title is a group of vigilante special forces members who take on the hit men to protect members of their regiment.[4]
The film takes place in the early '80s. We see Danny (Jason Statham) and Hunter (Robert De Niro) involved in a hit on a Mexican leader. Danny kills the Mexican, but is spooked when he finds a child in the car with him. He retires to Australia.
He receives a package with a plane ticket and a photo of Hunter being held hostage, and flies to Oman. A sheik explains that 3 of his 4 sons have been killed by the SAS, and he must see the killers dead so that his fourth son can take over. He is offering $6 million to do the job. Hunter took on the task, but ran into problems. The sheik is old and dying, and says that he will kill Hunter before he dies unless Danny completes the job. The job is complicated by the condition that all kills must look like accidents or natural deaths, and the SAS victims must confess to killing the sheik's sons on camera. Danny and Hunter tried to escape.
Cast
- Jason Statham as mercenary and ex-special forces soldier Danny Bryce
- Clive Owen as ex-SAS officer Spike Logan
- Yvonne Strahovski as Anne Frazier
- Robert De Niro as Hunter
- Dominic Purcell as Davies
- Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as The Agent
- Grant Bowler as Captain James Cregg
- Matthew Nable as Pennock
- Jamie McDowell as Diane
- Chris Anderson as Finn
- George Murphy as ADR Voice
Production
Filming began at Docklands Studios Melbourne in May 2010. In July 2010, Jason Statham's scenes were shot at the Brecon Beacons in Wales.[5] Robert De Niro filmed a scene in Melbourne's Spring Street set in 1970s Paris.[6]
Some London scenes were filmed in Cardiff – in July, De Niro and Statham were seen filming outside The Promised Land Bar on Windsor Place.
In July 2010, filming took place near the Storey Arms outdoor centre, in the Brecon Beacons. A number of 1970s period cars were in evidence, particularly a bright orange Austin Maxi.
Reception
The film has received mostly negative reviews from critics. Rotten Tomatoes maintains Killer Elite with a 24% rating with the consensus stating: "A rote, utterly disposable Jason Statham vehicle that just happens to have Clive Owen and Robert De Niro in it."
References
- ^ Swart, Sharon (2010-05-14). "Jason Statham embraces 'Killer Elite'". Variety. Retrieved 2011-08-18.
- ^ (2010-05-17). "De Niro confirmed in Killer Elite". EncoreMagazine.com.au. Retrieved 2011-08-18.
- ^ Kaufman, Amy (22 September 2011). "Movie Projector: Brad Pitt vs. 'Lion King,' 'Dolphin Tale' for No.1". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 22 September 2011.
- ^ (2010-01-25). "Victoria an Elite State for Production". Film Victoria. Retrieved 2011-08-18.
- ^ "Jason Statham returns home to Britain to film 'Killer Elite'". BBC.co.uk. Retrieved 2011-08-18.
- ^ Quinn, Karl (2010-07-07). "Hollywood comes to Paris end of town, De Niro style". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2011-08-18.