Assassination

Plot synopsis:
In 1911, during Japan's rule over Korea, a resistance fighter named Yem Sek-jin tries but fails to murder the governor-general and a pro-Japanese businessman named Kang In-guk. That evening, Kang discovers that his own wife was helping Yem. Kang kills his wife but a wet nurse runs off with one of his twin daughters. By 1933, there are over 30 Korean independence factions operating in Korea, China, and Manchuria. Yem has become a captain in one of these factions, but his colleagues are unaware that he is secretly reporting to the Japanese, since back in 1911 he was tortured by the Japanese into submission.
Yem meets with some Korean politicians in Hangzhou, including Kim Koo and Kim Won-bong, and is asked to gather three delinquent resistance members— Big Gun, Duk-sam, and Ahn Okyun— so they can enter Seoul and assassinate Kang, along with a general named Kawaguchi Mamoru. After bringing them to Shanghai, however, Yeom sells this information to the Japanese. The Japanese attempt to find Ahn, but a skilled contract-killer named Hawaii Pistol decides, on the spur of the moment, to pretend that Ahn is his wife, allowing her to elude the soldiers.
Kim Koo questions Yem's loyalty giving Yem's subordinates, Myung-woo and Se-gwang, orders to kill him if he is a spy. However, Yem manages to come out the victor instead. Additionally, Yem hires Hawaii Pistol to intercept and kill the three resistance members, telling Hawaii Pistol that they are Japanese spies, anticipating a great reward from the Japanese. As Hawaii Pistol and his assistant Buddy travel to Seoul, they befriend Kawaguchi's son, who is a lieutenant in the Kwantung Army. In Seoul, Hawaii Pistol locates Big Gun and shoots him as he is running. With Big Gun missing, Duk-sam and Ahn proceed with the operation, hoping to ambush their targets at a gas station. To their misfortune, the car is a decoy and both Duk-sam and Korean sympathizer Kimura are killed in the attempt. Ahn is then ambushed by Hawaii Pistol, but he recognizes and spares her, and even sympathizes with her mission, since he is himself a Korean.
Ahn discovers that she is Kang's missing twin daughter. The other daughter, who happens to be engaged to Kawaguchi's son, recognizes Ahn and visits her apartment, but is killed by her father Kang, Yem and a group of soldiers. The latter are none the wiser and believe they have successfully killed Ahn. At this point, Ahn assumes her twin's identity, and a few days later, enters the wedding as the bride. Assisted by Hawaii Pistol, Buddy, and Big Gun— who survived his injuries— they carry out an attack on the wedding. Ahn kills Kawaguchi, and Hawaii Pistol kills Kang when Ahn hesitates to do so, revealing that he killed his father, a Japanese sympathizer, and did not want Ahn to live with that and become a mercenary like him. Big Gun is killed while covering their escape, taking Kawaguchi's son hostage, they are hemmed in by army reinforcements. Hawaii Pistol, realizing that she can still pose as her twin, shares a kiss with Ahn, promising to meet her again in the cafe they met in Shanghai. Ahn walks out and is rescued by the Japanese soldiers— she later absconds back to Shanghai. Hawaii Pistol and the Buddy attempt to escape but Yem kills them.
For his services to Japan, Yem is made head of the secret police. However, the Japanese are defeated in World War II and Korea is liberated. In 1949, a commission for war crimes investigates Yem— now a senior officer with the Korean police— who protests his innocence and points to his resistance service. The only witness to Yem's guilt is found murdered, so the charges are dropped. Even so, Yem is cornered on the streets by Ahn and Myung-woo who, it is revealed, had survived his massive injuries but was rendered mute and slightly disfigured. They proceed to shoot Yem and he dies. Ahn sadly recalls the memories of her friends in the Resistance, Hawaii Pistol and Buddy before the screen fades out.

Tags: violence, cult, humor, comedy, suspenseful

Review:
Bronson plays Jay Killian, a secret service agent who has been transferred from guarding the newly elected President of the U.S. to now guarding the new first lady.
Eventually, Bronson learns that the first lady is being targeted for assassination (hence the title), the film for the most part deals with Bronson keeping the first lady out of harms way.
Jill Ireland plays the first lady, who has quite a mean streak to her in the film, her snobby attitude makes quite a pairing for her and Bronson's character.
I would recommend this movie to any Bronson fan, it's not Paul Kersey, but Jay Killian isn't too bad either..
This was the next to last film appearance by Jill Ireland, who died of cancer in 1990 after four decades as a well-known actress and producer.
Ireland made quite a few waves in the press when she dropped her then-husband David McCallum in 1967, beginning her long relationship with Charles Bronson.
It is a great irony that Bronson, probably the all-time leader in number of deaths rendered on-screen, had one of the most enduring marriages in film history.'Assassination' seems to be a movie that was tucked into Cannon's production schedule for the sake of Bronson and Ireland.
Ireland was already suffering from cancer-related illnesses in 1987 and you can almost picture the two actors wanting to do 'just one more, for old times' sake.' 'Assassination' is carelessly done as a whole, showing the lack of polish and dwindling funds that would tank Cannon by 1990.
But there's a kind of nostalgia value in seeing the couple together one last time and the film makes you wonder what exactly helps a relationship to survive in the chaos that is Hollywood.Bronson plays Jay Killian, a high-ranking Secret Service agent who is assigned to protect the First Lady, Lara Craig (Ireland).
The President's wife has a reputation for being difficult, bossing Service agents around and wanting to do things her own way.
On the way, Killian and Mrs. Craig develop an unspoken affection for one another in scenes between Bronson and Ireland that are actually very funny.What really gets me is how this film was promoted upon its release and how it's still made to look as a DVD.
But a lot of this movie - which was rated PG-13, by the way - is in a comic vein, putting it along the lines of a romantic thriller like Bronson and Ireland's western 'From Noon Till Three.' Even the DVD case shows Bronson with a rocket launcher, ready to blow things up.
Which he does, but to a lesser degree than his other '80s potboilers.On the whole, 'Assassination' is late Cannon slop work and doesn't really know what kind of film it wants to be.
Robert Ragland, who had shown good composing skills in earlier films, teamed up with Valentine McCallum on a score that is mostly synthesized and better fit for television.Richard Sale's script has real lulus of dialogue, with the conversations between Bronson and Ireland the only bright spot.
Stephen Elliott (a former Tony Award nominee who died in May 2005), Randy Brooks, Erik Stern (as assassin Bracken), and Michael Ansara (Senator Bunsen) are acceptable in their supporting roles.Incidentally, this was the last film directing gig for Peter Hunt, who broke onto the scene with 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service' in 1969 and collaborated with Bronson and Lee Marvin on 'Death Hunt' in 1981.
He did two films for one-time Bond director Peter Hunt too - the first being the decent 1981 actioner Death Hunt, the second being this indifferent political chase thriller.
Assassination is pretty dull if truth be known, and come the end you'll find yourself longing for something with a bit more passion and pace, like The Wilby Conspiracy for instance (which, plotwise, this film resembles).
Bronson sleepwalks through his role as bodyguard Jay Killian, whose assignment is to protect the American President's wife, Lara Royce Craig (Jill Ireland, real-life wife of Bronson).
Killian believes that Mrs Craig has been targetted by assassins; she thinks he's an over-protective, paranoid pessimist.
His job is to protect the new First Lady, Lara Royce Craig, who apparently comes from a wealthy family and believes she can do what she wants without listening to anyone.While Mrs. Craig rides to her husband's inauguration in an open car (something no one in the First Family has done since Kennedy was shot), one of the police officers riding alongside has a wreck (and this being a Charles Bronson movie, naturally the bike has to explode).
Mrs. Craig's behavior is a problem not just because she needs protection under normal circumstances, but because it seems someone actually wants to kill her.Jill Ireland was deliciously witchy (actually that should start with a b) as the First Lady.
Charles Bronson's character showed intelligence, and he wouldn't back down but remained strong in the face of the First Lady's protests.It was a pleasure to see the man who played the uptight and dignified Cloud Dancing in "Dr. Quinn" as an almost stereotypical Native American, a car salesman willing to laugh at people's expectations of his people and go along for the money.Jan Gan Boyd, as Killian's partner (in more ways than one?) was pretty and perky but showed confidence in her facial expressions.
Too bad she often seemed to be reading her lines.The violence wasn't constant, but this movie had plenty of gunfire toward the end, and quite a few unnecessary explosions.
Come on I don't want Charles Bronson to deliver comical lines.
I just saw this movie and the beginning started out pretty good and kind of funny between Ireland and Bronson.
Just to let you know that this is the last film that Charles and Jill are together and still do good being together in this film and I hope you you all enjoy the film.I give this a 7/10.
Terrific movie with Jill Ireland and Charles Bronson.
I loved this Movie out of all Charles Bronson did.
Ol' Charlie is assigned to protect the first lady (Jill Ireland, in lieu of the president) Charlie gets constant harassment & grief from the First Lady, and she doesn't want him to be her bodyguard anymore.
What follows is a web of lies and corruption that Charlie must uncover to keep the first lady safeThis is widely regarded as one of Bronson's worst films.
This movie is far from good, but as far as a cheesy action film from Cannon productions goes, it was actually fairly fun, in a dumb sort of way.
Charles Bronson is fun as per usual, but his character is a bit of a womanizer.
For his age at the time, Bronson is still very adept at the action, and doesn't look out of place at all.
Jill Ireland (Bronson's real life wife at this juncture) is quite imbecilic and annoying as the first lady for much of the first half, before lightening up in the second half.
It's worth a watch for Bronson fans or Action junkies like myself5.3/10.
However it's a typical story (even though quite ludicrous at times), but it felt rather low-scale (think of Bronson's 'Messenger of Death' the following year) with its thriller elements and explosively sparse action.
Surprisingly when the action did kick into gear, the stunt work and positioning was impressive, but where the film's drive came from was the budding rapport between Charles Bronson (whose appealingly laid-back) and Jill Ireland (diving right into the role with convincing aplomb).
Outside of those two I found the rest of the performances sub-standard.The plot is a tautly twisty (but far-fetched) cross-country political thriller that has veteran Secret Agent Jay Killian assigned to protect the demandingly stuck-up first lady, where he uncovers a devious plot involving assassins out to her kill her.
Director Peter Hunt (who also directed Bronson with Lee Marvin in the 1981 rugged survival thriller 'Death Hunt') does a conventionally efficient job, even with some sequences coming across as if made for a TV show.
Who's care, Bronson films are made to be enjoyed, he doesn't care what critics think.
Fantastic stuff.Well the story line is simple, Bronson is a service secret agent protecting the first lady (Jill).
if you are a charles bronson fan,as i am, you will enjoy this film.
What's not to like.You also get jill ireland with the movie and other great scenery to boot...
Let me start by saying that Charles Bronson is one of my favorite actors and I think my mom found this one on VHS at a flea market back in 2015.This movie is honestly pretty good, it's entertaining if not a little corny in places but I love it anyway.Charles is a bad ass action hero in these action movies I'm a fan of his Death Wish films I haven't seen him in a lot but I'm planing on trying to find more with him.I like in this story that he plays a secret service agent hired to protect the First lady who he doesn't really like, that I feel is a nice change of pace, then your typical standard story, it made for some nice levels of comedy.Overall, I give it a 6/10.
It's just a fun action film that you can sit back enjoy, and seeCharles Bronson kick some terrorist ass.Highly recommended..
Bronson and Ireland, in their last film together, make a likable pair.
Charles Bronson plays Jay Killian, a veteran Secret Service agent who finds himself assigned to protect the new First Lady(played by his wife Jill Ireland) who is a naive and arrogant feminist that resents being guarded.
Killian must go on the run with her on a cross-country trek to uncover the conspirators in this plot.Drearily routine and tired film with bored looking actors going through the motions.
And when the action scenes fail, does the story save the film?
I think it's a shame that Jill Ireland's final film before her death was this stinker.
Among the worst Charles Bronson films he did with Golan Globus.
This conspiracy thriller lacks intensity, action or much of anything.The story involves Bronson (looking haggard at 64) as a former Special Forces turned Secret Service Agent, who has to protect the obnoxious new first lady played by Jill Ireland.
Soon the couple, have to go on the run, as assassins are hot on their tail.The story is bland as ever and the movie feels more like a pensioner holiday in the countryside than a thriller.
Assassination (1987) ** (out of 4) Charles Bronson fans are the only ones who should even attempt to make it through this outrageously stupid film from Cannon.
Bronson plays a Secret Service agent who ends up having to guard an ultra-snotty First Lady (Jill Ireland) and soon enough a group of hit men are after her.
I'll never accuse any Cannon/Bronson movie of being high art but of all the films they made together this one here has to be the dumbest.
As a Bronson fan I must admit that I can just about sit through anything that he's in but my patience are really tested here but thankfully the film reaches a "so bad it's entertaining" level.
Secret Service agent Jay Killion (Charles Bronson) has been assigned to protect the President-elect's wife, the new First Lady (Jill Ireland).
She is the victim of numerous assassination attempts, all directed by the President's Chief of Staff, who wants the First Lady dead.
Here's a fictional but potentially possible piece of dialogue between Charles Bronson and his agent like it could have taken place prior to filming "Assassination" in 1987.
"Assassination" (even the title is unremarkable) isn't an exception despite being directed by a former James Bond guy (Peter "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" Hunt) and featuring a handful of impressively staged stunt sequences.
Bronson's character Jay "Killy" Killian gets assigned to protect the flamboyant new First Lady, who has the reputation of being a difficult and insufferable shrew.
"Assassination" delivers in terms of straightforward an action-packed entertainment, with plenty of virulent chases and numerous explosions, but the plot is predictable, and Charlie too obviously acts on automatic pilot.
For Jill Ireland, Bronson's wife and frequent co-star, "Assassination" was the last film.
The real life husband and wife acting team of Charles Bronson and Jill Ireland don't go out on a real good note in Assassination.
According to this Charles Howerton succeeded Ronald Reagan as president and Jill Ireland rather than Barbara Bush became First Lady.
As Bronson was wont to remark he was missing Nancy Reagan.For the first time in our history someone is trying to kill the First Lady.
I can say this, Howerton is by no means Bill Clinton if Ireland is supposed to be Hillary.Assassination bears some resemblance to the later film My Fellow Americans when attempts are made to kill two former presidents and they are forced to fend for themselves.
You pretty much know, what you're in for with a Charles Bronson flick, made with his friends, Golan and Globus, and "No" J Lee Thompson, didn't direct this one.
Bronson, a secret service agent, is assigned to protect Ireland, something, both parties are begrudgingly against, who are brought together after a number of well staged assassination are made on her.
Assassination does deliver on action, more than many other Bronson/Golan Globus flicks.
I know it would have been good to see a affair develop between the real life couple, but this pairing is strictly professional, and in this movie, it's a better choice to avoid this, I think, instead of falling into that cliché'd lovey dovey soppiness.
The film is well written and takes a realistic and interesting look behind what's involved in protecting model figures and in the presidency itself, this time a corrupt one, involving the most important figure.
The Last of Charles Bronson & Jill Ireland.
Veteran Secret Service agent Charles Bronson (as Jay "Killy" Killian) is assigned to protect snooty Jill Ireland (as Lara Royce Craig) from an "Assassination" by terrorists.
A real life married couple, Bronson and Ms. Ireland's characters do form a bond, but he is more romantically paired with much younger Jan Gan Boyd (as Charlotte Chong) in this film.An interesting supporting cast includes "Midnight Express" author and blond henchman William "Billy" Hayes (as Pritchard Young).
The action in this regrettably unconvincing story occurs sporadically, leading to an explosive end.**** Assassination (1/9/87) Peter Hunt ~ Charles Bronson, Jill Ireland, Jan Gan Boyd, Stephen Elliott.
Normally I like Golan and Globus productions, but I should have steered clear of this one.Despite the presence of Charles Bronson and Jill Ireland, it was just too tame for the producer team.
There was never an real spark between the two, despite the fact that they were married in real life.The action sequences were OK, but they just weren't up to Bronson's level.The premise of the film was also pretty lame.I like watching Bronson and Ireland, but I will stick to Mr. Majestik in the future, as he pairs better with Linda Crystal and there was a whole lot more action..
Ireland was dying of cancer and despite this she's not bad but the horrible Asian woman playing Bronson's sidekick was typical of Cannon's talent at the time --non-existent.
The story is not that bad and it's something that bigger and better-budgeted studios did later (Eastwood's "In the Line of Fire" and Costner's "Bodyguard" film) but the way it's staged here is really sad.
If Secret Service men really behaved like the keystone cops in this movie we'd have presidents rotating out of office (and out of life) every few months....
Assassination stars action legend Charles Bronson as the first lady's bodyguard.
The first lady isn't a character that people will care enough about to care whether she lives or dies, so Assassination does nothing to get you cheering for either the good or bad guys.
When I think of this movie (which isn't often), I always think about the "Kokomo Mountains" that are shown in the background when Charles Bronson and Jill Ireland are supposedly in Kokomo, Indiana on their nationwide jaunt.
My guess is that Jill Ireland, who was waging a courageous, but losing battle against cancer at the time, wanted to make one more picture with her husband Bronson and took whatever came her way.
More latter day Chuck Bronson action fodder from Cannon Group has Ole Stoneface starring as a Secret Service Agent Jack "Killi" Killion, attempting to keep the US President's wife, The First Lady(Mrs. Charles Buchinski, Jill Ireland)from being assassinated at the hands of a terrorist paid by the White House Chief of Staff(there's no way I could make this plot up if I tried!).
Most of the film has Ireland's Mrs. Craig and Killion moving cross country on a road trip as hit-man, Eddie Bracken(Erik Stern)and his gunmen follow in pursuit.
A secret revealed by The First Lady about her President husband, regarding his impotence and her reason for marrying him is rather amusing, as is the underlying purpose behind her assassination.
****SPOILERS*****Secret Service Agent Jay Killon, Charles Bronson, has his hands full protecting first lady Lara Royce Craig, Jill Ireland, in her wanting to be herself, or just one of the girls, and not being protected by him even when her life is in danger.
A fact that would, by losing the womens vote, keep Craig from getting re-elected to a second term!****SPOILERS****The last of the 13 films that Charles Bronson and his wife Jill Ireland were in together with Jill passing away from breast cancer three years later in 1990 at age 54.
As you would expect from a Charles Bronson movie you got tons of explosion and action scenes with an exciting motor boat chase that ended with hit-man Eddie Bracken getting his face rearranged.
Jay Killion had been the presidential bodyguard, but for the inauguration of the recently elected president, he is assigned to the first lady, Lara Royce.
Well I enjoyed the verbal warfare between Bronson and Ireland, this isn't one of their better movies.