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Power Play (1978 film)

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Wikipedia article




'Power Play' is a 1978 British-Canadian political thriller film starring Peter O'Toole and David Hemmings, based on the 1968 non-fiction strategy book 'Coup d'tat: A Practical Handbook' by Edward N. Luttwak. The film was also known as 'Coup d'Etat'. It was released on DVD in 2005 by New Star Video under the title 'A State of Shock'.

Plot



A small group of military officers frustrated by the corruption of a fictional contemporary European government decide that they must overthrow the current administration. But the coup's leader worries that there is a spy in their group.

Colonel Narriman (Hemmings), an idealistic and soon-to-retire army officer, becomes sickened by the government's use of extra-judicial killing and torture to suppress the terrorism that their incompetence and corruption has fostered. He decides that for the good of the country he must attempt to overthrow the regime and end the chaos.

Worried about infiltration by agents of the hated internal security chief Blair (Donald Pleasence), he emphasises operational security, as he knows he can expect no mercy if caught, while he builds the coup one important recruit at a time. A key such person is Colonel Zeller (O'Toole), whose armoured brigade is seen as vital for capturing the capital city quickly.

The final part of the film is the actual conduct of the coup attempt with exciting twists and surprises.

Cast



*Peter O'Toole Colonel Zeller

*David Hemmings Colonel Narriman

*Donald Pleasence Blair

*Barry Morse Jean Rousseau

*George Touliatos Barrientos

*Harvey Atkin Anwar

*August Schellenberg Minh

*Chuck Shamata Hillsman

*Alberta WatsonDonna

Production



The UK-Canada co-production was filmed in Canada and West Germany. 'Power Play' includes scenes shot at the University of Toronto's University College quadrangle and hallways. Portions were also filmed at CFB Borden, CFB Toronto and CFB Lahr in West Germany. The Canadian Armed Forces also provided aircraft, armoured fighting vehicles (including Centurion tanks), and soldiers for the filming.

The flag of the film's unnamed republic, "a generic country with no specific geography or culture", was green, yellow and black.

It was one of the first films financed under Canadian tax concessions.

Reception



The film won the Best Screenplay award at the Canadian Film Awards.

Notes




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