"Brass Target", based on a novel by Frederick Nolan, puts forth the idea that the death of General George S. Patton, Jr. In Germany in 1945 was no accident. Rather, he was the victim of an assassination, engineered by his subordinates (Robert Vaughn and Edward Herrmann), who'd masterminded the theft of $250,000,000 in gold that was being transported by train to Frankfurt. Assigned to investigate the theft is an O. S. S. Major (John Cassavetes), whose idea for how to rob a train was employed by the antagonists here.
Various characters get involved in the mounting drama, in this handsome, well shot, and amusingly farfetched bit of fiction. Director John Hough (whose other notable credits include "Dirty Mary Crazy Larry", the Disney "Witch Mountain" movies, and "The Legend of Hell House") guides it all quite capably, and the movie is certainly entertaining despite its convoluted nature. Only the romantic scenes with Cassavetes and a forlorn-looking Sophia Loren (as a refugee) fail to be as compelling as the balance of the story. On location shooting in Germany and Switzerland is a big plus, as well as a soaring score by Laurence Rosenthal.
The biggest asset that the film can boast is a wonderful international cast. Loren is rather wasted since her character has little to do with moving the story forward, but everybody else is in fine form. George Kennedy is a hoot as the irascible Patton, a man who oozes contempt for the Russians and has NO patience for attending formal functions. Also co-starring are Bruce Davison, Patrick McGoohan, Ed Bishop, Lee Montague (playing American mobster Lucky Luciano), and Alan Tilvern. But the show is easily stolen by the legendary Max von Sydow as the cold-blooded, efficient killer, who turns out to be leading a double life.
Sexy, violent, and containing a worthwhile amount of intrigue, this adds up to a pretty good time for its audience.
Seven out of 10.
Various characters get involved in the mounting drama, in this handsome, well shot, and amusingly farfetched bit of fiction. Director John Hough (whose other notable credits include "Dirty Mary Crazy Larry", the Disney "Witch Mountain" movies, and "The Legend of Hell House") guides it all quite capably, and the movie is certainly entertaining despite its convoluted nature. Only the romantic scenes with Cassavetes and a forlorn-looking Sophia Loren (as a refugee) fail to be as compelling as the balance of the story. On location shooting in Germany and Switzerland is a big plus, as well as a soaring score by Laurence Rosenthal.
The biggest asset that the film can boast is a wonderful international cast. Loren is rather wasted since her character has little to do with moving the story forward, but everybody else is in fine form. George Kennedy is a hoot as the irascible Patton, a man who oozes contempt for the Russians and has NO patience for attending formal functions. Also co-starring are Bruce Davison, Patrick McGoohan, Ed Bishop, Lee Montague (playing American mobster Lucky Luciano), and Alan Tilvern. But the show is easily stolen by the legendary Max von Sydow as the cold-blooded, efficient killer, who turns out to be leading a double life.
Sexy, violent, and containing a worthwhile amount of intrigue, this adds up to a pretty good time for its audience.
Seven out of 10.