User Reviews

The Cypriot civil war (pitting the Greek west of the island of Cyprus, occupied by the British, against the Turkish east) hasn't been the subject of very many motion pictures. In fact, this is the first one I think I've ever seen, lending the film considerable thematic interest. Night of the Assassin also benefits from some terrific location photography (sadly undermined by Lightning Video's clumsy pan and scanning) and a fine cast, with Michael Craig particularly good as a well-intentioned and thoughtful British Army officer. There's also George Sanders as his by-the-books superior, and (in some very unusual casting indeed!) Klaus Kinski as an underground leader who's also a Greek Orthodox priest. Think of this as a low-rent Battle of Algiers: nowhere near as well made, but definitely more than your typical European exploitation film of the era.

THE NIGHT OF THE ASSASSIN is a low budget, little-known Italian thriller detailing the volatile situation in Cyprus in which Turkish aggression is ever in the background. However, the crux of the story is a different battle entirely: that between the stuffy British officials doing their very best to keep the peace, and the Greek Cypriot partisans willing to die to free the land. The film has a grubby look to it but also an air of authenticity which helps a lot. There's not a great deal of action until the ending, but there are some strong moments involving torture and the like which add suspense. The cast is also very good indeed. The stalwart likes of Michael Craig and George Sanders play the Brits and Adolfo Celi is a key ally. Italian genre film regulars Margaret Lee, Luciano Pigozzi and Giacomo Rossi Stuart make appearances. Best of all is the typically weird Klaus Kinski, playing a Greek orthodox priest and resistance leader who comes across as completely frightening. Just what you'd expect from Kinski.