The Domino Principle (1977)

Gene Hackman Movie #1 (Please click the links to read my reviews of Hoosiers, Uncommon Valor, The French Connection, The French Connection II, The Royal Tenenbaums, Heist, The Replacements, Twice in a Lifetime, BAT 21, A Bridge too Far, Twilight, Crimson Tide, Absolute Power, Get Shorty, Wyatt Earp, The Firm, Unforgiven, Postcards from the Edge, The Package, The Poseidon Adventure, The Conversation, Bite the Bullet, and Night Moves)

Synopsis: Apparently, the Deep State is so hard-up for trained assassins it must break them out of prison and shove wads of cash in their pockets. 

Blurb From the DVD Jacket: “Stanley Kramer directs Gene Hackman in this pulse-pounding, action-adventure thriller.” 

What Did I Learn?: Deep State assassins really enjoy blowing up cars. 

You Might Like This Movie If: You figure it must be a full-length version of this. 

Really?: 1) See: “Synopsis.” 2) Tucker beats the crap out of a Deep State goon, and even throws him down a flight of stair, possibly killing the man. Is this ever mentioned again? No. 3)  So, how long has Spiventa (Mickey Rooney) been in the slammer? That’s a demanding assignment, and I’m not sure if he actually convinced Tucker to do anything. 4) So, let’s see…. Tucker has fulfilled his assignment, he holds a Deep State goon at knifepoint, knowing they have no further use for him, he has a plane that can take him just about anywhere in the world, and he decides to go to the Central American vacation home the Deep State purchased for him? Yeah, that’s a great idea… 

Rating: The Domino Principle is a ho-hum, and somewhat dated 1970s conspiracy thriller that’s good for an evening’s entertainment, but suffers from a plot that doesn’t make too much sense (see: “Synopsis,” “What Did I Learn?” And “Really?”) and a muddled ending that’s less than satisfying. Apparently, the film was originally three hours long, so it’s entirely possible some of its problems stem from key scenes left on the cutting room floor. 6/10 stars. 

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075950/?ref_=nv_sr_1