The Hitman (1991 film)

The Hitman (1991 film). A 1991 American action film directed by Aaron Norris and starring his brother, martial arts icon Chuck Norris. The film follows an undercover Detroit Police Department officer who infiltrates a powerful Seattle crime syndicate after faking his death. Produced by Cannon Films during its final years, the film was a modest box office performer and received generally negative reviews from critics.

Plot

Undercover Detroit Police Department officer Cliff Garret is shot and seemingly killed by his partner, Ronny "Del" Delaney, during a staged confrontation to protect Garret's cover. Garret is secretly relocated to Seattle by the RCMP with a new identity as hitman Danny Grogan. His mission is to infiltrate the organization of ruthless crime boss Marco Luganni. Grogan gains Luganni's trust by successfully carrying out assignments, while also navigating threats from rival gangs like the Yakuza. His investigation becomes personal when he discovers Luganni's crew is responsible for the murder of a friend's family. The operation culminates in a violent confrontation where Garret must confront his corrupt former partner, Delaney, who is now working for Luganni, leading to a final showdown to bring down the syndicate.

Cast

* Chuck Norris as Cliff Garret / Danny Grogan * Michael Parks as Ronny "Del" Delaney * Al Waxman as Marco Luganni * Alberta Watson as Christine De Vera * Salim Grant as Tim Murphy * Michele B. Chan as Tasha * Ken Pogue as Lieutenant DeGraf * Frank Ferrucci as Frankie * Bruno Gerussi as Charlie * Howard Jerome as Vince Cimoli

Production

The film was produced by the struggling Cannon Films, with Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus serving as producers alongside Don Carmody. It marked the second directorial collaboration between star Chuck Norris and his brother Aaron Norris, following Delta Force 2: The Colombian Connection. Principal photography took place in Vancouver, which doubled for Seattle, and other locations in British Columbia. The screenplay was written by Don Carmody and Robert Geoffrion. The score was composed by Joel Derouin, and cinematography was handled by João Fernandes.

Release

The Hitman was released theatrically in the United States on October 25, 1991, by Cannon Films through its 21st Century Film Corporation subsidiary. Its release came during a period of significant financial decline for Cannon. The film saw a subsequent home media release on VHS and LaserDisc and was later aired on television networks such as USA Network.

Reception

The film was poorly received by critics upon its release. Reviewers criticized its predictable plot, lackluster action sequences, and perceived lack of originality compared to other films in the action film genre and Chuck Norris's earlier work. It performed modestly at the box office, failing to become a major commercial success. Over time, it has been regarded as one of the lesser entries in Norris's filmography from the early 1990s, often cited as an example of the declining output of Cannon Films in its final years.

Category:1991 films Category:American action films Category:Films directed by Aaron Norris Category:Cannon Films films Category:Films set in Seattle Category:Films shot in Vancouver