The Evil That Men Do (film)
Encyclopedia
The Evil That Men Do is an action thriller film directed by J. Lee Thompson
that stars Charles Bronson
.
The film was adapted by David Lee Henry and John Crowther from a novel by R. Lance Hill. It was first released by ITC Entertainment
to French cinemas on March 15, 1984, and debuted in the United States via co-production partner Tri-Star Pictures on September 14, 1984.
), a Welsh doctor who lives in Guatemala. Molloch (cf. Moloch
) has made a science of the practice of torture and sells his knowledge and skills to any government that can pay his price.
Holland is hired by Hector Lomelin (played by José Ferrer
), a professor and friend of Hidalgo. He poses as a family man (Lomelin's wife Isabel is played by Constanza Hool
) and is accompanied to Guatemala
by Hidalgo's widow Rhiana (played by Theresa Saldana
) and daughter Sarah (played by Amanda Nicole Thomas).
In a sense, Holland is a near-sociopath whose thinking becomes increasingly clear as the degree of danger in which he has put himself escalates. He is an unassuming man who can and does explode in violence with very little warning. He is also characterized by an unusual morality which allows him to kill without guilt those who he believes must be killed for the good of mankind.
and cinematography by Xavier Cruz. The Evil That Men Do was originally planned by Cannon Films but was scrapped over a financing dispute. In the end, however, ITC and Tri-Star took over production.
J. Lee Thompson
John Lee Thompson , better known as J. Lee Thompson, was an English film director, active in England and Hollywood.- Early years :...
that stars Charles Bronson
Charles Bronson
Charles Bronson , born Charles Dennis Buchinsky was an American actor, best-known for such films as Once Upon a Time in the West, The Magnificent Seven, The Dirty Dozen, The Great Escape, Rider on the Rain, The Mechanic, and the popular Death Wish series...
.
The film was adapted by David Lee Henry and John Crowther from a novel by R. Lance Hill. It was first released by ITC Entertainment
ITC Entertainment
The Incorporated Television Company was a British television company largely involved in production and distribution. It was founded by Lew Grade.-History:...
to French cinemas on March 15, 1984, and debuted in the United States via co-production partner Tri-Star Pictures on September 14, 1984.
Plot summary
Holland (Bronson) is a former CIA assassin who lives quietly and peacefully on a West Indies island. He is persuaded out of retirement by the death of Jorge Hidalgo (played by Jorge Humberto Robles), a friend and dissident journalist. Hidalgo was murdered by Clement Molloch (played by Joseph MaherJoseph Maher
Joseph Maher was an Irish character actor who appeared in 43 films and was nominated for three Tony Awards and a Drama Desk Award for his supporting roles on the stage.-Career:...
), a Welsh doctor who lives in Guatemala. Molloch (cf. Moloch
Moloch
Moloch — also rendered as Molech, Molekh, Molok, Molek, Molock, or Moloc — is the name of an ancient Semitic god...
) has made a science of the practice of torture and sells his knowledge and skills to any government that can pay his price.
Holland is hired by Hector Lomelin (played by José Ferrer
José Ferrer
José Vicente Ferrer de Otero y Cintrón , best known as José Ferrer, was a Puerto Rican actor, as well as a theater and film director...
), a professor and friend of Hidalgo. He poses as a family man (Lomelin's wife Isabel is played by Constanza Hool
Constanza Hool
Constanza Hool was a dancer, actress and choreographer. She is credited as co-founder of the famous Ballet Folklorico de Mexico . She was the first woman to dance in the Taj Mahal , the Parthenon and the basilica of Santa Prisca...
) and is accompanied to Guatemala
Guatemala
Guatemala is a country in Central America bordered by Mexico to the north and west, the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, Belize to the northeast, the Caribbean to the east, and Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast...
by Hidalgo's widow Rhiana (played by Theresa Saldana
Theresa Saldana
Theresa Saldana is an American actress, known for her work in motion pictures and television. She is perhaps best known for her role as Rachel Scali, the wife of Police Commissioner Tony Scali, in the 1990s television series The Commish, for which she received a Golden Globe nomination for Best...
) and daughter Sarah (played by Amanda Nicole Thomas).
In a sense, Holland is a near-sociopath whose thinking becomes increasingly clear as the degree of danger in which he has put himself escalates. He is an unassuming man who can and does explode in violence with very little warning. He is also characterized by an unusual morality which allows him to kill without guilt those who he believes must be killed for the good of mankind.
Production notes
The film, shot in Mexico, includes a score by Ken ThorneKen Thorne
Kenneth Thorne is a British-American television and film score composer.- Early life :Thorne was born in East Dereham, a town in the English county of Norfolk. Thorne began his musical career as a pianist with the big bands of England during the 1940s, playing at night clubs and the dance halls...
and cinematography by Xavier Cruz. The Evil That Men Do was originally planned by Cannon Films but was scrapped over a financing dispute. In the end, however, ITC and Tri-Star took over production.