''Power Play'' is a 1978 British-Canadian

political thriller A political thriller is a thriller that is set against the backdrop of a political power struggle, high stakes and suspense is the core of the story. The genre often forces the audiences to consider and understand the importance of politics. The st ...

film starring Peter O'Toole and David Hemmings, based on the 1968 non-fiction strategy book '' Coup d'État: A Practical Handbook'' by Edward N. Luttwak. The film was also known as ''Coup d'Etat''. It was released on DVD in 2005 by New Star Video under the title ''A State of Shock''.

Plot

A small group of military officers frustrated by the corruption and brutality of a fictional contemporary European government decide that they must overthrow the current administration. But the coup's leader worries that there is a spy in their group. Colonel Narriman (Hemmings), an idealistic and soon-to-retire army officer, becomes sickened by the government's use of extra-judicial killing and torture to suppress the terrorist insurgency that their incompetence and corruption has fostered. He decides that for the good of the country he must attempt to overthrow the regime and end the chaos. Worried about infiltration by agents of the hated internal security chief Blair (

Donald Pleasence Donald Henry Pleasence (; 5 October 1919 – 2 February 1995) was an English actor. He began his career on stage in the West End before transitioning into a screen career, where he played numerous supporting and character roles including RAF ...

), he emphasises operational security, as he knows he can expect no mercy if caught, while he builds the coup one important recruit at a time. A key such person is Colonel Zeller (O'Toole), whose armoured brigade is seen as vital for capturing the capital city quickly. The final part of the film is the actual conduct of the coup attempt with exciting twists and surprises.

Cast

* Peter O'Toole – Colonel Zeller * David Hemmings – Colonel Narriman *

– Blair *

Barry Morse Herbert Morse (10 June 19182 February 2008), known professionally as Barry Morse, was a British-Canadian actor of stage, screen, and radio, best known for his roles in the ABC television series '' The Fugitive'' and the British sci-fi drama '' ...

– Jean Rousseau * George Touliatos – Barrientos *

Harvey Atkin Elliot Harvey Atkin (18 December 1942 – 18 July 2017) was a Canadian actor best known for his roles as Morty Melnick in ''Meatballs'', Sergeant Ronald Coleman in ''Cagney & Lacey'', and for voicing King Koopa in ''The Super Mario Bros. Super Sh ...

– Anwar *

August Schellenberg August Werner Schellenberg (July 25, 1936 – August 15, 2013) was a Canadian actor. He played Randolph in the first three installments of the ''Free Willy'' film series (1993–1997) as well as characters in ''Black Robe'' (1991), '' The New Wor ...

– Minh * Chuck Shamata – Hillsman *

Alberta Watson Faith Susan Alberta Watson (March 6, 1955 – March 21, 2015), better known as Alberta Watson, was a Canadian film and television actress. Early life Watson was born in Toronto, Ontario, in 1955.Rita Zekas"Alberta's Feeling At Home On Deranged", ...

—Donna

Production

Flag of the State of Shock (Power Play, 1978 film)

The UK-Canada co-production was filmed in Canada and West Germany. ''Power Play'' includes scenes shot at the University of Toronto's University College quadrangle and hallways. Portions were also filmed at

CFB Borden Canadian Forces Base Borden (also CFB Borden, French: Base des Forces canadiennes Borden or BFC Borden), formerly RCAF Station Borden, is a large Canadian Forces base located in Ontario. The historic birthplace of the Royal Canadian Air Force, C ...

CFB Toronto Canadian Forces Base Toronto (also CFB Toronto) is a former Canadian Forces base in Toronto, Ontario. The airfield is currently operated as Toronto / Downsview Airport. RCAF Station Downsview The Downsview Lands were part of an extensive land pa ...

and

CFB Lahr Canadian Forces Base Lahr (IATA:LHA, ICAO: EDTL, former code EDAN) was a military operated commercial airport located in Lahr, Germany. It was operated primarily as a French air force base, and later as a Canadian army base, beginning in the l ...

in West Germany. The Canadian Armed Forces also provided aircraft, armoured fighting vehicles (including Centurion tanks), and soldiers for the filming. The flag of the film's unnamed republic, "a generic country with no specific geography or culture", was green, yellow and black. It was one of the first films financed under Canadian tax concessions.

Reception

The film won the Best Screenplay award at the Canadian Film Awards.

Notes

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Power Play (1978 film) 1978 films Films based on non-fiction books Canadian political thriller films Canadian thriller drama films British political thriller films British thriller drama films English-language Canadian films Films directed by Martyn Burke Films about rebellions Films about coups d'état 1970s thriller films Films with screenplays by Martyn Burke Films set in Europe Films scored by Ken Thorne 1970s English-language films Films shot in Toronto Films shot in Germany 1970s Canadian films 1970s British films