Callan (film)

Plot

David Callan (Edward Woodward), a leading intelligence agent/assassin in the employment of the S.I.S., was forced into retirement when he lost his nerve. Now, he is called back into service to handle the assassination of Schneider, a German businessman. Colonel Hunter (Eric Porter), his former employer, promises Callan that he'll be returned to active status as long as he follows his orders. But Callan refuses to act until he knows exactly why Schneider has been marked for death...

Cast

The only actors to reprise their television roles in the film were Woodward, Russell Hunter who played Lonely and Clifford Rose who played Snell. Apart from the three, all the other recurring characters were played by different actors and actresses.

Production

The script by James Mitchell is based on his original TV pilot "A Magnum for Schneider" and the novelization thereof, Red File for Callan, although only the novel is listed in the film's credits (as A Red File for Callan).

Callan was the first film with a Dolby-encoded optical soundtrack.

Reception

The film's original reaction was mixed to positive.