The Ambassador (1984)

User Rating:

5.4/10   

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 | Conflict | Unfaithfulness | Terrorism

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:

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)

Give Peace A Chance

Robert Mitchum plays the title role of The Ambassador and in this case he's the American Ambassador to Israel. He's got the notion in his head that if he can get the Arab and Israeli students dialoging, it might lead the way to eventual peace. Of course there are malevolent forces on all sides that don't want to see that happen.

But that's not Mitchum's only problem. His wife Ellen Burstyn has embarked on a torrid love affair with an Arab, played by Fabio Testi, who turns out to be a big honcho in the Palentine Liberation Organization. And somebody's been taking some nasty home movies of them doing the horizontal mambo. Setting up Mitchum for blackmail and embarrassment whichever comes first.

Playing the supporting role of Mitchum's Embassy security chief is Rock Hudson and this was to be his last feature film. As the film progresses the strain on Hudson's health is becoming apparent.

It was not a happy shoot and the results show it. Mitchum and Hudson did not get along particularly. According to Lee Server's biography, Mitchum spent most of the time getting plastered more than normal. Ellen Burstyn supposedly took a sample of what he was drinking and was shocked to find it real booze. But Mitchum was legendary for holding his liquor.

I can see why Mitchum wasn't particularly happy with the film. His role is essentially that of a well meaning fathead who thinks he has all the answers to the Middle-east. Hudson took his role strictly for the cash, because he was having increased medical expenses from what would kill him a year later.

Being it's a Golan-Globus film the usual quota of violence is present. When you do a film about the Middle-east, that's almost a requirement for a picture. Still the location cinematography in Israel certainly helps.

Too bad that Mitchum and Hudson could not find a nice western to do as a joint project.