Russian Roulette (1975) User Reviews (13)

Spin the Barrel

[sol1218 · 7/10 · 9 January 2005]

***SPOILERS*** Tense and high wire-like thriller set in the Canadian city of Vancouver about an attempted assassination of Soviet Primer Kosygin by a rouge KGB group thats in charge of his protection.

With the Cold War winding down it looks like the USSR will cut it's military expenditures including those for the dreaded KGB. This has a number of KGB officers led by Col. Sergi Vostick, Bo Brundin, in a panic. Charged to protect Primer Kosygin on his visit to Vancouver Col. Vostic plans to have a CIA informer and violent anti-Communist Rudolf Heke, Val Avery, who hates the Soviet Union for what it did to him and his family in Soviet-controlled Latvia, to blow himself up and take Preimer Kosygin with him. The only thing wrong with that is that Heke doesn't know that he's going to do it.

RCMP, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, cpl. Shavers, George Seagal, who's on suspension for belting his boss Inspector McDermott, Peter Donat, in contacted by the Special Branch, the Canadian CIA, commander Petepice, Denholm Elliott, to see that Heke is kept off the streets until the Kosygin visit is over.

After being kidnapped and held hostage with his girlfriend Bogna, Christina Raines, who works in the Royal Mounted Police record room and gave cpl. Shavers the vital information that he needed to find out just who Henke really is, a CIA undercover informant, did he realize just who was out to get Soviet Perimer Kosygin, and it sure wasn't Rudolf Henke. By having Kosygin assassinated in a western country that borders on the USA it would re-start the Cold war and provide all the funds and manpower the KGB would ever need. As well as reinforce the iron-grip that the KGB have on that nation.

The movie "Russian Roulette" builds up to an exciting final as cpl. Shavers breaks out, together with Bogna, from the rouge KGB's captors hideout and against the clock speeds down, with a borrowed 1960 car low on gas, to the Vancouver Hotel in Vancouver. Shavers then tries to prevent Col. Vostick and his thugs from possibly starting WWIII in order to hold on to their power. With the KGB's conspirators commandeering a police helicopter with Henke drugged and tied on it, together with a number of explosives attached to his body, they plan to do Premier Kosygin in before he gets to the hotel.

Cpl. Shavers has the almost impossible task to first get away from Col. Vostic, who's trying to shoot him, as they both jockey for position on the roof of the 16 floor 200 foot Vancouver Hotel to either make sure, in Col. Vostick's case, that the plot to kill Preimer Kosygin succeeds or, in cpl. Shaver's case, fails.

Even though the film starts off a bit slow and lumbers on with a number of confusing story lines like the Dertoit mob hit-man Raymond "Raggs" Ragulin ,Richard Romanus. Why did the rouge KGB group need him to do what their experts in! Murder and kidnapping. Still the both stirring and heart thumping ending more then made up for all that.

Dated But Enjoyable Cold War Actioneer!

[greene515 · 6/10 · 12 April 2006]

'Russian Roulette' is an independently produced thriller lensed on location in Vancouver, The Russian premier's State visit to the city, sparks an intricate And elaborate assassination plot, The ever excellent and watchable, George Segal, stars as Harry Shaver, a Royal Canadian Mountain,Cop who's currently on suspension for an undisclosed offense towards his boss,

Segal becomes involved in the staking out of a Russian political troublemaker, whom is currently residing in Vancouver, The plot thickens when said troublemaker goes missing, and the arrival of a Hit-man from Detroit really gets the plot going,

In a hilarious scene Segal accidentally kill's the hit-man, which leaves him with questions without answers, Segal with love interest in tow,sets out in a desperate race against time to thwart the assassination,before it's too late, which culminate's in a deadly rooftop/helicopter/ suicide bomb showdown,

There is a wealth of talent involved including British favorite Denholm Elliot, as a greasy Informant, Gordon Jackson, and Cristina Raines as Segal's love interest, Robert Romanus, as an obnoxious hit-man,

It would be great if they could put this on DVD as it would benefit from a spruced up restoration,

You Can Do Far Worse...

[eldontyrrell · 7/10 · 17 December 2020]

...than to invest ninety minutes of viewing on this apparently little-known political/espionage work. (I'd likely have gone 7.5 out of 10 if possible, if 8 might be a bit much.)

Anyway, I wouldn't fully disagree with the more unfavorable reviews already posted here, and I will further grant that there are a few, some not-so-minor, loose plot threads that remain unanswered before curtain, and that the whole finale would never have gone down that way.

Still, overall, I conclude differently. The acting doesn't go overboard, and the writing is about as tight as is reasonably possible, while avoiding over-exposition. So if the plot isn't spoon-fed and in fact takes some time to become clear ("clear"), let's consider that Segal's character is probably in a bit over his head; sure, he's RCMP, but one suspects his billet is not *quite* at the "KGB assassination plot" level. He's been blindsided by the twists and trying to work it all out as he goes along...just like the audience is. I found that pretty enjoyable, actually...

And I appreciated the use of unassuming VFW-class drinkeries, city streets-cum-roller hockey rinks, and interchangeable neighborhood Chinese restaurants as settings, not glittering casinos and ivory tower CEO lairs and the banks of the Riviera. A good RCMP officer would likely have honed his craft on the former, and caught the latter only on the silver screen.

Again, you can do far worse. Don't pay to watch it, but don't avoid it either.

Slow starter but a strong finish

[heedarmy · 5 July 2004]

The failure of this stylish thriller, financed by Lew Grade's ITC, effectively ended the directorial career of former Altman editor Lou Lombardo. It's true that "Russian Roulette" takes a while to get going and has an unnecessarily complex plot. However, Lombardo has a nice eye for detail, uses locations well (it is set in wintry Vancouver) and gets the best out of an eclectic cast.

"Russian Roulette" may start slowly but it builds to a cracking climax that is a tour de force of slick editing and exciting music (from the underrated Michael J Lewis). George Segal is well-cast and looks genuinely scared in the vertiginous rooftop shootout. Worth seeing.

Good finale.

[Hey_Sweden · 7/10 · 24 September 2014]

George Segal plays Shaver, an officer with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, currently on suspension for belting a superior. He then finds himself recruited by the "Special Branch" to get his hands on Henke (Val Avery), a troublemaker whom it's believed will be out to get the Soviet premier Kosygin. Well, Shaver finds out that there's a more sinister conspiracy afoot, and he must rely on his own wits to survive and prevent the assassination from happening.

Segal gives a solid Everyman-type heroic performance here, much as he did later in "Rollercoaster". The movie itself takes a while to really grab a hold of its viewers, but becomes quite watchable in its rousing final reel. This action sequence was actually handled by Anthony Squire, as director Lou Lombardo (usually an editor who'd cut films for Peckinpah and Altman), was often high on drugs throughout the filming. That the movie actually turns out alright is a testament to a capable cast and crew, and a reasonably engrossing story, which is based on a novel by Tom Ardies.

It's nice to see a movie shot in Canada that's *supposed* to be set in Canada, and the use of the British Columbia locations is impressive. The music by Michael J. Lewis is also noteworthy. Segal is backed up by an ace group of actors, including Cristina Raines as his girlfriend, Bo Brundin as a KGB psycho, Denholm Elliott as the Special Branch agent Petapiece, Gordon Jackson as Hardison, Peter Donat as McDermott, Richard Romanus as Detroit hit-man Ragulia, Nigel Stock as Ferguson, Graham Jarvis as Benson, Louise Fletcher as Midge, and Doug McGrath as Lars.

While not overly slick or distinguished, "Russian Roulette" is still a pretty good thriller, and fans of the intrigue & action genres should dig it.

Seven out of 10.

Another TUBI find.

[DodsworthMcgillicutty · 7/10 · 2 April 2023]

Another Well restored 70s film on Tubi: The 2023 answer to the sorely missed VHS rental store.

I've began to like the recently departed George Segal. Appreciate his work in comedy/drama and in this little gem of a thriller. As a 80s kid, I just missed his earlier work, or he didn't leave an impression that he does as an adult. He was in EVERYTHING!

Any film buff will find this worth seeking out. Yes, It's another "Russia Bad" thriller. What got me was not the plot, but it has a number of well crafted scenes that go in a different direction than you would expect. And they made it look easy. The light humor does not come off forced either. If this were a modern movie (and it can easily be remade) it would be a heavy handed, digitally shot, by the numbers stream & forget factory piece with D. Rock Johnson saving the world again.

As much as I enjoyed it, the location, and excellent cast, it seemed longer than the 90 minutes. Nonetheless, a must for 70s thriller seekers.

Worth-seeing for the cast

[moonspinner55 · 5/10 · 23 May 2021]

George Segal plays an officer with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, currently on suspension, who accepts "piece of cake" assignment keeping a nonconformist immigrant from Latvia under his surveillance during the Soviet Premier's visit to Vancouver...that is, until his subject is kidnapped. Assassination thriller adapted from Tom Ardies' novel "Kosygin Is Coming" was just a quick-stop for Segal during a busy decade for him as a leading man. Plainly-filmed, mostly forgettable, but with little eccentric bits of humor. Good cast includes Cristina Raines, Denholm Elliott, Richard Romanus and Louise Fletcher, plus Segal is always fun to watch. The first of only two films directed by Lou Lombardo, revered movie editor on many '70s and '80s classics including most of Robert Altman's releases of the era. ** from ****

Kosygin Is Coming

[boblipton · 6/10 · 25 November 2023]

Mountie George Segal is currently on suspension. He is ordered by Special Services to pick up a Russian national; it seems that Alexei Kosygin is coming to Vancouver, and they don't want this guy on the street. Before Segal can pick him up, he is kidnapped, and Segal must find out by whom and why.

I've seen Vancouver in person once, and hundreds of times in the movies, although it's usually masquerading as some other place. Because it arose as a place for Hollywood to shoot movies that satisfied the British Kinematograph Act, it developed as a cheap film center. In person, it's a very handsome city,and this is the first time I recall seeing it as itself. It's worth seeing for that.

It's also worth seeing for Segal's performance. He was a fine actor, adept at playing a schlub, but here's he's believable as a man of action. The movie is eked out with the usual assortment of Hollywood and British movie performers, like Denholm Elliott, Peter Jackson, Nigel Stock, and Louise Fletcher. My favorite role seems to be anonymous: a little old lady who can't remember Segal's sweetly spoken instructions to call the Mounties and tell them that Kosygin will be shot.

Disjointed espionage thriller improves somewhat as it goes along

[gridoon2024 · 5/10 · 13 August 2014]

George Segal is slightly out of his element in the action-spy genre, but he handles himself well enough; the major problem with "Russian Roulette" is a disjointed script, as a result of which very little happens in the film for about an hour! Once the main idea of the plot - and it's a pretty good one - is revealed, the film does improve somewhat, and there are three or four admittedly great stunts (the only memorable moments of "Russian Roulette"). Segal's co-star, Christina Raines, is pretty, she reminded me of Ali MacGraw, I wonder why she is so forgotten today. And the biggest mystery: why hire an actress of Louise Fletcher's caliber (who won the Oscar the same year for "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest") only to give her such a completely throwaway bit part? ** out of 4.

A professional job

[michaelchager · 7/10 · 23 November 2023]

Thrills from Lou Lombardo. From the golden age, the vintage year of 1975, back when people didn't work so much from home. Somewhat lengthy and baroque perhaps but loose enough to feel the street level action. Made for a big screen. No shortage of explosions, stunts, bad guys, collisions, jams, helicopter action, in Vancouver, strung together by an unpredictable and fun George Segal who correlates to the disparate points of the conspiracy. Location scenes predominate throughout including from extreme heights. Of course excellent acting. Good color, editing and cinematography. With Christina Raines.

Dreadful hackneyed tripe

[donlessnau-591-637730 · 1/10 · 5 July 2020]

If being a spy was really this boring, they'd all find other work. Horrible movie. Trite, over-cooked, predictable plot. Ridiculous screenplay. It must have been written by a 10-year old. Terrible acting. Really awful garbage. Segal must have really need a paycheck in 1975.

Don't play deadly games with the KGB!

[Coventry · 6/10 · 16 March 2024]

I'd be lying if I claimed I fully understood every tiny little detail of the conspiracy plot in "Russian Roulette", let alone being able to properly write an accurate summary. But the plot isn't the most important element in a conspiracy thriller, at least not according to me. What I like most in flicks about complex conspiracies is high-adrenalin action sequences at regular intervals, a few unexpected twists, a cool cast, and maybe an interesting setting and/or political background.

"Russian Roulette" has all those things. George Segal is surprisingly good as a suspended Canadian Mountie agent who nevertheless receives a special assignment. Soviet prime minister Kosygin is visiting Vancouver, and Shaver (Segal) is instructed to take a man into custody who's named Henke and who's believed to disrupt the official ceremony. But Henke - who only needs one sequence to demonstrate he's a real jerk - gets kidnapped by someone else before Shaver can get to him, and our skeptical Mountie is sucked into a dangerous cat-and-mouse game with the KGB.

Well-directed by Lou Lombardo, usually an editor for eminent directors like Robert Altman and Sam Peckinpah, and featuring several impressive action sequences during the middle as well as a nail-biting finale. Segal and Cristina Raines are excellent together, and there are lovely supportive roles for Denholm Elliott and Louise Fletcher (the latter in a modest role despite the same release year as "One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest")

The world in crisis, Canadian style.

[mark.waltz · 5/10 · 24 July 2022]

The monkey is always get the man, and in this case, it's not Nelson Eddy or Gary Cooper style, preventing someone from stealing the gold or catching someone stealing the trapper's catch. It's an international crisis with George Segal as a modern Mountie put on leave for breaking procedure, hired by secret police to prevent the Russian premiere from being assassinated upon his arrival for a visit in Vancouver. Along the way, he's targeted and the targeters usually end up falling off a bridge or crashing into a limousine from a rooftop above.

Segal is hired by Denholm Elliott for this assignment, unbeknownst to his own supervisor, and out of revenge, Segal steals his date (Christina Raines) who becomes involved in his caper as well. You'll see Louise Fletcher in a very minor role (it looks like most of her footage ended up on the cutting room floor) as a female mountie who works behind the desk. The same year that she won immortality as Nurse Ratched, she was an unknown actress taking whatever parts she could get. The film is enjoyable, action packed and scenic (especially when Segal is taking a tram up the mountain side, the only passenger other than the woman making announcements on a bullhorn), and often funny and tongue in cheek. But it's one of those films that you can see once and never need to see again. Segal, at the height of his popularity, is a fun action hero, and I can't see any other actor at the time making it as enjoyable.