LASSITER

US, 1984, 95 minutes, Colour.
Tom Selleck, Lauren Hutton, Jane Seymour, Bob Hoskins, Joe Regalbuto, Ed Lauter.
Directed by Roger Young.

Lassiter is a star vehicle designed for TV's Magnum, the popular Tom Selleck. High Road to China, with Bess Armstrong, was also designed by the Hong Kong company Golden Harvest with American companies to promote Selleck. Golden Harvest and their associates have not spared any expense with this crime thriller set in London in 1939. A lot of effort has gone into re-creation of period, sets, decor, costumes. While it is enjoyable, it doesn't work as well as intended.

Selleck has a genial cinema presence. Jane Seymour is attractive as the heroine and Lauren Hutton enjoys herself as the glamorous, international spy. Bob Hoskins does one of his sinister police performances (also seen in The Honorary Consul).. The film is popular entertainment and is undemandingly satisfying.

1. The crime thriller and its popularity? The suave hero, outside the law? Glamour and style? Special effects and stunts? Period costumes and decor? An enjoyable blend?

2. The re-creation of London of the late '30s, the atmosphere prior to World War Two? The world of society, of the police, of international espionage? Stunts and special effects - especially for the robberies? The tongue-in-cheek treatment of serious themes? The musical score and atmosphere? Songs and dance of the period?

3. The title and its focus on the hero? A satisfying star vehicle for Tom Selleck? As hero, as criminal, relationships with the police, their hold over him, ladies' man, international espionage - and smart work in finally eluding the police?

4. Lassiter and his background, an American in England, famous jewel thief, his being framed, the antagonism of Inspector Becker and Scotland Yard? His relationship with Breeze? The plan for the burglary of the German Embassy? The patriotic reasons? Lassiter and his relationship with Sarah - love, clashes? The encounter with Kari von Fursten, playing up to her, her enjoyment of violence? Her deadly bodyguard, Max? The plans for the robbery? Trying to elude Becker, Becker's skill in following up Lassiter? The deal with Smoke and his getting rid of the jewels? The rendezvous with Kari? The robbery of the safe, Kari's own jewellery, getting her to indicate where the diamonds were? The death of Hofer? The stealing of the diamonds, the eluding of Becker, the getting away with everything! The disguise as Germans for his escape? Tongue-in-cheek style?

5. Sarah as glamorous but conventional heroine? Relationship with Lassiter, love, clashes, support, participation in his plans?

6. The Germans and World War Two, Nazi presence in England, the tensions before the war? The South African diamonds and their transit to Germany for industrial purposes? Kari von Fursten and her glamour, espionage? Max as bodyguard? The caricature of Kari and Max as sadistic, decadent? The encounters with Lassiter, his leading them on? Max's violent death? Kari's betrayal and loss of the diamonds

7. Inspector Becker and his intense dislike of Lassiter, the frame-up, his thwarting Lassiter's plans, continual presence, but the irony of his being beaten?

8. Lassiter's friends - Breeze, Smoke and their collaboration?

9. The audience on the side of the criminal and his exploits? Enjoyment of the daredevil techniques - the glimpse of the initial robbery with the wife melting in Lassiter's arms, the tightrope escapes, the stunt work, the eluding of Kari, the bold final robbery, the bravado of the final escape? The image of the popular hero?