Hennessy (1975)
A Slow-Burn Thriller of Singular Obsession
A curiously entertaining 70s thriller anchored by an engrossing, simmering performance from Rod Steiger.
Official Synopsis
After his family is killed during a riot in Belfast, Niall Hennessy, a former IRA member and demolition expert, snaps. Breaking his vow of non-violence, he initiates a solitary, desperate plan to assassinate the Queen during the State Opening of Parliament. He soon finds himself the target of a massive manhunt led by both Scotland Yard and the IRA, who fear his actions will trigger a total military crackdown.
Directed by Don Sharp, Hennessy follows a former IRA member on a personal vendetta against the British Parliament following a tragic family loss. Rod Steiger, one of cinema's most underrated anchors, believably carries the weight of a grief stricken husband and father. Eschewing the tropes of a traditional action star, his Hennessy is driven by an uncompromising, singular focus rather than hand-to-hand combat. As Scotland Yard and the IRA close in, the film ratchets up the tension through a stealthy, purposeful maneuver toward a high-stakes climax.
"Steiger works great as an everyman in extreme situations looking to repay injustices... driven by his uncompromising, singular focus, rather than his hand to hand fighting skills."— Ray Manukay
🎬 Cast & Crew
- Director: Don Sharp
- Starring: Rod Steiger, Lee Remick, Richard Johnson
- Supporting: Trevor Howard, Eric Porter, Peter Egan
- Cinematography: Ernest Steward
The Vision
Don Sharp’s directorial vision excels in its gritty realism, particularly in the seamless integration of real-life footage of the British Parliament during the third act. The film's strength lies in its psychological pacing reminiscent of John Malkovich’s obsessed assassin in In the Line of Fire where the protagonist’s instability is his most dangerous weapon. While the film embraces the "disillusioned lone victim" genre popular in the 70s, it focuses on the meticulous execution of a plan rather than explosive set pieces, creating a curiously effective, if uncomplicated, character study.
🎬 Cinephile Fun Facts
- The Parliament Controversy: The film gained notoriety for using [actual footage of Queen Elizabeth II opening Parliament, which led to a temporary ban by the BBFC due to the sensitive nature of the plot.
- Underrated Giant: Lead Rod Steiger was a Method acting pioneer, known for holding his own against legends like Marlon Brando and Sidney Poitier.
- Genre Veteran: Director Don Sharp was a staple of British genre cinema, frequently working with Hammer Film Productions before transitioning to thrillers like this one.
✅ Pros
- Engrossing, everyman performance by Rod Steiger.
- Excellent use of real-life archival footage.
- Strong, slow-burn tension throughout the narrative.
❌ Cons
- Abrupt ending that may feel less satisfying than the buildup.
- Relatively uncomplicated plot compared to modern political thrillers.
- Lacks the "movie star" action sequences some may expect.
My Review
Hennessy is a slow burn of a thriller where a former IRA member goes on a personal vendetta against the British parliament and, by extension, his former Irish Republican Army colleagues. Rod Steiger is engrossing as the title character. Arguably one of the most underrated performers in cinematic history, Steiger is best known for his roles opposite iconic performances in On the Waterfront and In the Heat of the Night. Here he believably carries the story of a grief-stricken father and husband. His character simmers as he enacts an elaborate plan while creating chaos in his wake for the people chasing him.
Director Don Sharp does a solid job ratcheting up the tension as Scotland Yard and the IRA are hot on Hennessy's tail. Sharp also deserves kudos for excellently incorporating real-life footage of the British parliament into the climactic third act. Steiger works great as an everyman in extreme situations looking to repay injustices. Instead of behaving like an action movie star, Hennessy is driven by an uncompromising, singular focus rather than hand-to-hand fighting skills.
The film manages to thrill as Steiger purposely and stealthily maneuvers through the story against committed antagonists. Watching this performance, one might be reminded of the obsessed assassin from In the Line of Fire. Hennessy is a curiously entertaining, if uncomplicated film, with an abrupt but effective ending that is perhaps not as satisfying as the slow buildup attempts to create. It still deserves recognition as an excellent thriller of the 70s and a well-executed example of a popular genre where a disillusioned lone victim seeks, against all odds, to exact his personal revenge.
🏆 Final Verdict
A well-executed example of the 70s lone-victim thriller. While the ending hits a bit abruptly, the meticulous slow-build and Steiger's simmering intensity make it a hidden gem worthy of recognition.
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