Killer Force
Killer Force, also known as The Diamond Mercenaries, is a 1976 thriller film directed by Val Guest and starring Telly Savalas, Peter Fonda and Christopher Lee.[1] It was a co-production between the Republic of Ireland, Switzerland and the United States and was filmed primarily in South Africa. Its plot is about a gang of criminals who plan a major robbery of a diamond mine.
| Killer Force | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Val Guest |
| Produced by | Nat Wachsberger Patrick Wachsberger Robert Wachsberger |
| Written by | Val Guest Gerald Sanford Michael Winder |
| Music by | Georges Garvarentz |
| Cinematography | David Millin |
| Edited by | Bill Butler |
| Distributed by | American International Pictures |
Release date | January 14, 1976 |
Running time | 102 min. |
| Country | Ireland Switzerland United States |
| Language | English |
Plot
Head of security Harry Webb fears that a diamond theft is about to take place at the company's major mining complex in the desert. He quickly manages to become very unpopular, particularly with Claire Chambers, a celebrated cover girl and daughter of the mine administrator. She is visiting the man she loves, Mike Bradley, who is responsible for security at the mine.
Nelson, the mine administrator, gives Bradley a curious mission -- to steal a diamond. He wants to implicate Bradley in order to bring him into contact with a certain Lewis who is preparing to rob the mine with the aid of a group of mercenaries and a local accessory known as Father Christmas. Webb, not being informed of the deceit, relentlessly pursues Bradley, who is contacted by Lewis. With the mercenaries in the process of penetrating the mine, Bradley reveals himself to be Father Christmas, the organizer of the entire operation. With Webb in pursuit, Bradley flees into the desert with the only other survivors.
Cast
- Telly Savalas ... Webb
- Peter Fonda ... Bradley
- Hugh O'Brian ... Lewis
- Christopher Lee ... Major Chilton
- O. J. Simpson ... Alexander
- Maud Adams ... Clare
- Ian Yule ... Woods
- Michael Mayer ... Adams
- Victor Melleney ... Nelson
- Richard Loring ... Roberts
- Stuart Brown ... Chambers
- Marina Christelis ... Danielle
- Frank Shelley ... Keller
- Peter Van Dissel ... Rick
- Cocky Thlothlalemaje ... Franklyn
- Ian Hamilton ... Doctor
- Dale Cutts ... Plotter
- Don McCorkindale ... Radio Operator
- Marigold Russell ... Salesgirl
- Frank Douglas ... Barman
- Kevin Basel ... Guardhouse Sergeant
- Stuart Parker ... Substation Guard
- Albert Raphael ... Vault Guard
- Russell Newman ... Young Guard
- Clive Scott ... Sky 4 Pilot
- Robert Drayton ... Sky 4 Navigator
Releases
DVD
The film was released as Killer Force on DVD in 2013 by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer as part of the 12 Action Adventure Movies 3-Disc set. This marks the first time that the film has been released since the VHS era.
It is also available in a two-pack with Brannigan from Amazon.com.
Blu-ray
In May 2016, the film was released on Blu-ray in North America by Kino Lorber. The new release features a 2015 high-definition remaster. The opening credits of this release show the title as The Diamond Mercenaries; a text explanation before the movie starts explains that the film Kino received from the movie studio had those opening credits. The alternate Killer Force opening credits are available as a special feature. In addition, a previously-unseen alternate ending is included as another special feature.[2]
References
- The Diamond Mercenaries (1975)
- "Killer Force Blu-ray Review". Blu-ray.com. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
External links
- Killer Force on IMDb