The Ambassador (1984)

Director:

J. Lee Thompson

Writers:

Ronald M. Cohen (writer)
Max Jack (writer)

Release Date:

11 January 1985 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | War

Plot:

An Amerian ambassador to Israel tries to bring peace to the Middle East, but his efforts are hampered when his wife has an affair with a PLO leader.

Plot Keywords:

Israel | Middle East | Secret Agent | Palestine | Student

Cast

Robert Mitchum	...	Peter Hacker
Ellen Burstyn	...	Alex Hacker
Rock Hudson	...	Frank Stevenson
Fabio Testi	...	Mustapha Hashimi
Donald Pleasence	...	Minister Eretz
Chelli Goldenberg	...	Rachel (as Heli Goldenberg)
Michal Bat-Adam	...	Tova
Ori Levy	...	Abe
Uri Gavriel	...	Assad
Zachi Noy	...	Ze'ev
Joseph Shiloach	...	Shimon
Shmulik Kraus	...	Stone
Yossi Virginsky	...	Asher
Yftach Katzur	...	Lenny
Shai Schwartz	...	Gadi

Also Known As:

Peacemaker

Runtime:

97 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (TVC)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

UK:18 | Finland:K-16 | Netherlands:12 | Norway:15 | Norway:16 (1986) | USA:R | West Germany:16 | Iceland:16

Filming Locations:

Jerusalem, Israel

Company:

Northbrook Films

Trivia:

This was Rock Hudson's final film.

Movie Connections:

Version of 52 Pick-Up (1986)

Peace out.

An always interesting, if audacious and harsh low-key political thriller from Cannon and headed by ace director J. Lee Thompson. Maybe his best work in the 80s. The aged stars are quite a delight and the true staying power with Robert Mitchum (who's playing it easy), Rock Hudson, Ellen Burstyn, Fabio Testi and Donald Pleasance working very well off each other. Indeed a top-notch ensemble cast confidently directed by Thompson.

The knotty context of the film (the on going conflict in the Middle East) is a complicated web (with touch of blackmail and martial problems thrown in for good measure), but smartly engineered if a little too pushy at times. Still it's effective, stirring and informative in detailing its intentions. When it came to the jarring action, it was to the point and within chaotic bursts. I didn't find it thrilling in those passages, but you're kept glued as you want to see what becomes of the suspense beating situations. Dov Seltzer's humidly sultry music arrangement is on the ball and suitably placed. It truly gives it a grander edge and the location choices authentically sprawl off the screen. Thompson keeps it moving and times everything to perfection.

A reasonably solid offering by all involved.