THE END OF THE GAME

West Germany, 1976, 106 minutes, Colour.
Jon Voight, Jacqueline Bissett, Martin Ritt, Robert Shaw, Friedrich Durenmatt, Donald Sutherland, Gabriele Ferzetti.
Directed by Maximilian Schell.

The End of the Game (The Judge and the Executioner, Deception) is a collaboration between director Maximilian Schell and Swiss playwright Friedrich Durrenmatt. Durrenmatt's play The Visit was filmed in the '60s with Ingrid Bergman and Anthony Quinn.

The film is a murder mystery, the story of an obsessed policeman who is also a rival from the past as well as a contemporary murderer. The film is a web of intrigue and the Police Commissioner using others in his tracking down his foe. The film was interesting for having director Martin Ritt as the policeman. He gives an excellent performance. As his police partner, Jon Voight looks over-boyish - but is revealed as the murderer at the end. Jacqueline Bissett is attractive and Robert Shaw gives an interesting characterisation.

The film is adapted from a play, is rather detached in its presentation of characters and issues. Of interest, Donald Sutherland plays the murder victim - there is a credit for 'Corpse by courtesy of Donald Sutherland'. His voice is used on a cassette tape.

A curiosity which had minimal cinema release.

1. The impact of the film? Its not being seen in cinemas? European fi1m-making? The American contribution? Universal appeal?

2. The work of the director as director and actor? His sensitivity in film-making, with actors? The work of the writer - in theatre, film? His performance in the film? The international cast? Turkish and Swiss locations? The quality and effectiveness of the film?

3. The prologue in Istanbul and audience interest? The tracking shots, the city, the men and the woman, the sudden punch and her death? Nadine and her influence on the two men? The explanation given about her relationship with the Inspector and Gassmann?

4. The murder situation, the dead policeman, the policeman finding the body and driving the car, the work of the Inspector, Lutz and his authority? The appointing of Walter Chance to help? The fascination with Gassmann? Anna and her relationship with the dead policeman? The funeral? The intricacy of the behaviour, the web of mystery and guilt, motivation? The revelation of the truth - and audience surprise? The film as an adaptation of a play - and the staginess of the film?

5. The range of titles - appropriateness for themes?

6. Martin Ritt's portrait of the Inspector? The opening and his examination, his health, time to live? His obsession about Gassmann and his memories of Istanbul? Lutz and the political connections? Finance and economic connections? The focus on Gassmann, the memories of the past, hatred? Chance and his appointment, his brashness? Their work of investigation
together, the scouting of the house, the shooting of the dog? The enquiries with Anna? The details of the investigation, memories and motives, the confrontation with Gassmann, the incident at the airport? His sending Chance to execute Gassmann? The final confrontation with Chance - and his enjoyment of the big meal? His knowledge of the murderer's anaesthetist? An interesting and detailed performance?

7. Jon Voight as Chance - his name and its irony, young, brash, his hypothesis for the solution (and the Inspector re-enacting it for him and his fear) the irony that it was the truth? Relationship with the dead man? Scouting the house, the shooting of the dog - and the Inspector tricking him by taking the bullet? His being scared by the mask in Gassmann's house? The funeral, the encounter with Anna, the sexual liaison? His relationship with her, his expressions of brutality? His pursuit of Gassmann? The scene at the airport? The irony of his executing him - and being revealed as the murderer? His motivation? The final sequence with Anna, his killing himself?

8. Gassmann and his lack of scruple, evil, wealth? Istanbul and his exercise of power? The relationship with Nadine? His antagonism towards the Inspector? The relationship with Anna? His lavish entertainments? His links? Murders - the lawyer at the airport? The break with Anna? The final confrontation with the Inspector? The irony of his death, execution?

9. Anna and her relationship with Robert, love? Her relationship with Gassmann? The liaison with Chance, her needs, her spurning him? The discussions with the Inspector? Gassmann's leaving? The enigma of the end with Chance?

10. The sketch of the dead man, his work as a policeman, infiltrating Gassmann's entourage, friendship with Chance, rivalry, becoming his victim? Becoming a means for the Inspector to get Gassmann and Chance?

11. A Swiss story - police, economic situation, environment? Universal appeal?