Howard Morton

Crosses and double-crosses abound in "Scorpio." Burt Lancaster is the enigmatic and aptly named Cross, a CIA agent. Jean Laurier (Alain Delon) is a government assassin who Cross hires to kill an Arab terrorist. Afterwards, Laurier’s boss, McCleod, tells him to kill Cross for a crime that Laurier doesn’t believe Cross committed. Cross learns of the plot and runs to Vienna, where he meets up with an old army buddy and KGB agent Sergei Zharkov (Paul Scofield). While there, McCleod kills Cross’ wife, and Cross returns to America to avenge her death, and he murders McCleod. But Cross still has some surprises for Laurier….

In the business of assassination, no one executes his job quite like hit man Arthur Bishop (Charles Bronson), aka The Mechanic. But when Bishop decides to teach his skills to a new young partner (Jan-Michael Vincent), a chain of events is set in motion that will lead to a showdown between master and apprentice. A taut and exciting thriller, Bronson and director Michael Winner would team up again to create the controversial Death Wish Trilogy.

Director John Huston and a powerhouse cast make magic in this tongue-in-cheek Western saga. Paul Newman shines as the real life, self-appointed judge. All-star supporting cast includes Anthony Perkins and Ava Gardner, Jacqueline Bisset, Roddy McDowell, Tab Hunter, Ned Beatty, and then-newcomer Victoria Principal in her feature film debut. Written by John Milius.

An aging hitman befriends a young man who wants to be a professional killer. Eventually it becomes clear that someone has betrayed them.