The Assassination Bureau (1969)

Very very predictable, including the post credit scene !!!

There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

"The Assassination Bureau" has nearly everything that money can buy - which doesn't include the laughs. It takes you on a tour around Europe, the period recreation and the production values (apart from a couple of instances of iffy effects) are splendid, the cast (including 3 Bond veterans) is distinguished, but as a (black) comedy, the film is not particularly funny, and it's also too long. It does have its own unique flavor, however, as it combines the comedy with an offbeat romance between Oliver Reed (uncommonly charming) and Diana Rigg (quite beautiful in period clothes, though nearly upstaged by Annabella Incontrera) and an action climax (including a swordfight aboard a zeppelin) that would not be out of place in a James Bond movie. And I have to admit that the ending IS pretty funny. **1/2 out of 4.

There actually was an assassination Bureau, centered in London, steered from behind the scenes by the Monarchy, British Intelligence, and the Fabian Society. Its operational head was the exiled Russian prince, Peter Kropotkin, who fled Russia, and then Switzerland, and then suspiciously escaped from jail in Paris to find asylum in England. He was on the lam for his role in the assassination of Czar Alexander II, and as a leader of the "People's Will" anarchist organization, he was under a death sentence. He was the international head of the anarchist movement, replacing Bakunin, and steered the organization which assassinated 19 heads of state, Kings, Queens, Princes, Dukes and Archdukes, Prime ministers, and a President, during the years preceding WWI. Kropotkin was the controller of Emma Goldman (who lived with Kropotkin for a time in London) whose disciple, Czolgosz, shot McKinley. Kropotkin was with Emma Goldman when she met with Czolgosz at Jane Addams "Hull House" in Chicago in the week before Czolgosz made his way to Buffalo to shoot McKinley. King Umberto of Italy was shot the year before by Antonio Bresci, member of Goldman's anarchist chapter in Paterson NJ. Goldman met with Bresci weeks before he went to Italy to shoot the King, financed by money raised by the members of the chapter. Go through the history of the political assassinations during the run up to WWI, mostly done by anarchists, supposedly acting alone. It was all organized by British Intelligence out of London, directed by Kropotkin and his networks.There are many allusions to the actual real story in the film, for those, who, like a previous reviewer who touched on this, actually know some history.

In the Sixties English actor Patrick MacNee successfully played male lead John Steed in the Avengers TV-series. During these years MacNee had a number of successive female partners, of whom Diana Rigg became by far the most famous.Even more so, Rigg's acting provided the Avengers with immortality. In particular in 1965, when this TV-series were at their most inspirational.Diana Rigg also stars in 'The Assassination Bureau', more or less copying her famous Avengers-role of Emma Peel. 'Assassination' itself also shows great similarities with the great TV-series: bizarre, with a surrealistic touch. Humorous. Quite a speedy plot, with sharp turns. Dealing with ingenious crime, and using a fair amount of violence.The differences with the Avengers are only minor: MacNee is replaced by Oliver Reed, and 'Assassination' is set in the past. In the turbulent year of 1914, to be precise'The Assassination Bureau' makes a good and enjoyable watch. Which is no wonder, for it cashes in on the Avengers-success. Copying its formula, and using Diana Rigg as a prime asset to do so.

I was watching TV and I caught the beginning of this film. I said "Why not?", considering the other choices were gossiping shows. And I don't regret that.The movie revolves around an aspirant to journalist who looks forward to get big news to finally allow women to have their place in press. Note that it's Europe pre-1st WW. After some apparently unconnected murders, she finds the common pattern, and ends up meeting with the group in charge of it: The Assassination Bureau. He meets its chairman, Ivan Dragomilov, and offers 20 thousand pounds sterling to kill... Ivan Dragomilov. Instead of taking it as a joke, Ivan agrees to the proposition, and sets all his men to hunt himself. They will kill him, or he will kill them. Meanwhile, the aspirant to journalist is sent to follow Dragomilov by her boss, who turns out to be the vice-president of TAB, who wants the big chair for him.Oliver Reed plays Dragomilov, a rather arrogant and self-confident guy, and he is convincing and hilarious. He should have had a chance as James BOnd (rather than Lazenby...). Diana RIgg plays the journalist (Miss WInter, to the point I recall). She's a tough female, reluctant to show her physical attributes. Some sort of Miss Emma Peel but without leather. The rest of the cast is as good.I think the key of this film is that they don't take themselves too seriously. Of perhaps they did, but looking back now it seems silly. It's an interesting movie that must be remade, with someone like Jude Law or Colin Farrell playing Dragomilov, and some pretty Brit girl (Saffron Burrows?) as the journalist. Trust me, it's better than watching some of the dreadful recent films that have come out.7/10