Scorpio (1973) on Netflix
PG19731h 54mActionDramaThriller
Cross, a veteran CIA assassin nearing retirement, is training Jean 'Scorpio' Laurier, a French freelance hitman, to take his place. The agency orders Scorpio to kill Cross, suspected of treason.
- Netflix2.8/5
- IMDb6.4/106,241 votes
- Rotten Tomatoes59%
Trailer
Plot summary
Cross is a veteran officer of the Central Intelligence Agency, a man whose work has been the killing of foreign figures who stand in the way of American policy. He is close to leaving that life, and he is schooling Jean 'Scorpio' Laurier, a French freelancer, to take his position. The lessons cover tradecraft and caution: how to survive the people who hand out the contracts, and why none of them should be trusted. Then the agency names Cross as a target, telling Scorpio to remove him over suspected treason and dealings with the Soviets. Cross knows a veteran's tricks and can call on contacts built up over the years.
Cast
Did you know?!Facts and trivia about Scorpio (1973)
Can contain spoilers, watch the movie first.
- Despite a script showing the CIA assassinating people, Winner was given permission to shoot inside CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia, and scenes at Cross's home were filmed at CIA Director Richard Helms's own house. United Artists chairman Arnold Picker insisted the agency see the script first; approval made Scorpio the first movie shot on location at the headquarters.
- The unit filmed at the Watergate Hotel and happened to be staying there on the night of the notorious break-in.
- Michael Winner came on to direct but wanted a rewrite; Mirisch disagreed and Winner dropped out, whereupon United Artists removed Mirisch from the project and handed control to Winner, though Mirisch kept a producer credit.
