Following the success of "The Mechanic" in 1972, director Michael Winner returned to a similar theme of mentor versus protégé with the 1973 espionage thriller, "Scorpio." This film stars Burt Lancaster as Cross, an aging C.I.A. agent seeking to retire, and Alain Delon as Scorpio, a cold-blooded killer tasked with eliminating him.
The film explores themes of betrayal, loyalty, and the dark realities of the spy world. Here’s a breakdown of the intricate plot.
The Setup
Cross, an experienced CIA agent and assassin, is training Jean Laurier, alias Scorpio, to take his place. After a political assassination executed by Scorpio, both return to the United States. Cross reunites with his wife, Sarah (Joanne Linville), while Scorpio is approached by handler Filchock (J.D. Cannon), who questions why he failed to eliminate Cross overseas.
The Betrayal
Cross quickly realizes that the CIA chief, McLeod (John Colicos), wants him dead. Understanding that the CIA wants him out, Cross flees to Vienna in disguise and reunites with his Soviet opposite and friend, Sergei Zharkov who provides him a safehouse. The CIA continues to pressure Scorpio into assassinating Cross, but he proves reluctant until the CIA break into his apartment and frame Laurier with a narcotics charge.
Meanwhile, Scorpio also has a lover waiting for him played by Gayle Hunnicutt. But when the reasons are given to him and his price met, he’s off to track Burt in Europe and finish the job that Colicos has set in motion.
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International Manhunt
Cross seeks refuge in Vienna with Sergei Zharkov (Paul Scofield), a Russian agent and old friend. Zharkov offers Cross temporary safety, but warns that his own people may force him to hand Cross over to the Russians. Proving he was still a man of physical force on camera, Burt, finds himself on the run in the streets from Delon and his shooters that ends in a construction site.
This older version of Burt has him climbing staircases and scaffolding as he dodges bullets and attempts to turn the tables on those looking to shoot him down. This whole sequence recalls the powerfully physical performance Burt gave us to cherish in 1964’s The Train. A film that comes with my highest recommendation and one that also had Scofield playing opposite Burt though in that instance they were clearly on opposite sides and dead set on killing the other.
Construction Site Chase Scene | Free Guy (2021) Action/Comedy | 4k Blu-ray
Personal Stakes
Cross intends to bring his wife out from the US and get out of the spy business. In a failed break-in at Cross's home, CIA agents shoot and kill his wife Sarah, causing Cross to return to America. He rejects protection from Zharkov, whose agency wants to know secrets he knows as a senior field agent. Zharkov helps Cross to cover his tracks and reach America.
Cross evades capture by the CIA and manages to kill McLeod, the agency director responsible for his wife's death.
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The Final Confrontation
The new CIA director and Scorpio's handler Filchock shows him evidence that Cross might have collaborated in the past with other foreign agents and was able to make a hefty sum from it. Enraged by this, Scorpio corners Cross and Susan and kills his girlfriend instantly without remorse. Cross says she was a Czech courier and he is just a middleman between their agency for staying in the game and did not betray Scorpio.
Scorpio finishes off Cross after hearing his last words of wisdom.
Production Notes
The film was based on a script by David W. Rintels. Michael Winner agreed to direct, aiming for a serious spy film akin to "The Spy Who Came in From the Cold." Filming locations included Washington, Vienna, and Paris.
Despite its critical portrayal of the CIA, Winner was granted permission to film at the CIA Headquarters in Langley, Virginia. Scenes at Cross's home were even filmed at then CIA Director Richard Helms's home in NW Washington D.C.
Cast and Characters
Here’s a summary of the main characters and their roles in the film:
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| Actor | Character | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Burt Lancaster | Cross | An experienced CIA agent looking to retire but marked for assassination. |
| Alain Delon | Jean Laurier (Scorpio) | A freelance assassin and Cross's protégé, tasked with killing him. |
| Paul Scofield | Sergei Zharkov | A Soviet agent and old friend of Cross, offering him refuge in Vienna. |
| Joanne Linville | Sarah Cross | Cross's wife, who becomes a victim of the CIA's actions. |
| John Colicos | McLeod | The CIA chief who orders Cross's assassination. |
| J.D. Cannon | Filchock | Scorpio's handler, pressuring him to complete the mission. |
Michael Winner was on a roll in the early 1970’s following his succession of Oliver Reed films in the late 60’s. He was directing gritty, violent films with a succession of well known leading men. Marlon Brando and most notably Charles Bronson who had of course just starred in the lead role of The Mechanic with Jan-Michael Vincent as the apprentice to murder.
Scorpio was the second time that Winner worked with Lancaster. The first being the exceptional western Lawman released in 1971. Should you have the opportunity to read Michael Winner’s autobiography you’ll find he had a great time working with both Burt and Alain. There are some amusing stories from the set including Delon being ignored by autograph hounds who swarmed Lancaster.