Films based on Stark's Parker series were discussed here not
so long ago. Of course POINT BLANK (from the novel The
Hunter) with Lee Marvin stays head and shoulders well above
the rest.
I recently saw THE OUTFIT (1973) by John Flynn (also credited
for the screenplay), and based on the novel with the same
title (1963), with Duvall as Parker (named Earl Maklin in the
film). I do not remember if this one was mentioned or rated
here, but it's a very good film and Duvall appears as a
believable Parker. The film is tough, quick and very
efficient, with some of the typical characteristics of B
series of quality. And steel hard Parker keeps in this film
his independent and professional profile, essence of most of
the book series by Richard Stark.
As William Denton has a weakness for stories wherein
professionals are described performing their trade with
efficiency and the satisfaction of jobs well done, I may
recommend another film I recently saw. BRAT (aka The
Brother)-1997. This Russian film, about a young guy back home
after his army time and becoming a hit man in Saint
Petersburg, is really noir, bleak and hard. It takes place in
a devastated Russia, where only an Angel of Death seems to
distribute a real justice. It's very though, but not
nihilistic. The filming is far away from the baroque style or
from action orientated films that appeared too often recently
in noir/mystery films. Here, filming gives a real sense of
distanciation and is close to the neo-realism approach, but
it stays well suited; it's a kind of visual equivalent of the
behaviorist style we encountered in some of the classics of
noir novels and in HB lit. IMHO, a great film. The young man,
when asked what he was doing in the army, always
answers:
"I worked in the offices...". Gosh! Then I strongly suggest
that next time you visit Russia your forms and documents will
have to be nicely filled and tidy... just believe me!
E.Borgers Hard-Boiled Mysteries http://www.geocities.com/Athens/6384
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