10 Movies and Shows Similar to The Marseille Contract (1974)

Description: Shares with 'The Marseille Contract' a cool, professional protagonist and realistic crime thriller elements. Both films feature iconic car chases and influenced the visual style of 1970s crime cinema.

Fact: Features one of cinema's most famous car chases through San Francisco. Steve McQueen did most of his own driving stunts. The film's minimalist style influenced a generation of crime films.

Description: Like 'The Marseille Contract', this French crime film involves elaborate heists, international settings (France/Italy/US), and a focus on criminal professionalism. Both films showcase the 'honor among thieves' theme and feature Alain Delon.

Fact: Directed by Henri Verneuil, a master of French crime cinema. Features an iconic score by Ennio Morricone. The elaborate jewelry heist sequence took 3 weeks to film.

Description: Similar to 'The Marseille Contract' in its depiction of a meticulously planned heist and the surveillance technology used to track criminals. Both films reflect 1970s paranoia about technology and crime.

Fact: One of the first films to deal with electronic surveillance. Features an early score by Quincy Jones. Sean Connery's first American film after James Bond.

Description: Both films exemplify the 1970s tough cop genre, featuring morally complex protagonists who operate outside the rules. The themes of urban crime and vigilante justice connect these films.

Fact: Launched Clint Eastwood's iconic detective character. The 'Do I feel lucky?' monologue was largely improvised. Initially criticized for its perceived fascist overtones.

Description: Shares the gritty, realistic crime thriller elements of 'The Marseille Contract', with both films featuring international drug trafficking and tough, morally ambiguous law enforcement officers. The raw, documentary-style filmmaking is another common point.

Fact: Features one of cinema's most famous car chase sequences. Won 5 Academy Awards including Best Picture. Based on a true story of the largest heroin bust in US history at the time.

Description: Like 'The Marseille Contract', this film features professional criminals, a European director's perspective on American crime (Sam Peckinpah), and tense action sequences. Both explore themes of betrayal in the criminal underworld.

Fact: Marked the beginning of Steve McQueen and Ali MacGraw's real-life romance. Features one of cinema's first realistic depictions of a sawed-off shotgun. The bank robbery sequence was filmed in a real Texas bank.

Description: Similar to 'The Marseille Contract' in its meticulous depiction of a professional assassin and the cat-and-mouse game with law enforcement. Both films share a European setting, a cold, calculated protagonist, and a focus on procedural detail.

Fact: Based on Frederick Forsyth's novel, the film is praised for its realistic portrayal of assassination planning. The lead character, 'The Jackal', remains unnamed throughout the film. Director Fred Zinnemann insisted on using unknown actor Edward Fox for authenticity.

Description: Shares the same gritty realism and focus on the criminal underworld as 'The Marseille Contract'. Both films portray aging criminals and the harsh realities of their profession.

Fact: Based on George V. Higgins' novel, praised for its authentic dialogue. Features Robert Mitchum in one of his most nuanced performances. The film's ending is famously bleak and uncompromising.

Description: Shares the same year of release and a similar gritty, urban crime thriller vibe with 'The Marseille Contract'. Both films feature high-stakes criminal operations and the tense interplay between criminals and authorities.

Fact: Inspired numerous remakes and homages. The terrorists are color-coded as Mr. Blue, Green, etc., influencing Quentin Tarantino's 'Reservoir Dogs'. Features one of Walter Matthau's most against-type performances.

Description: Like 'The Marseille Contract', this film explores organized crime from an outsider's perspective, with a focus on honor codes and international crime connections. Both films feature Robert Mitchum in world-weary roles.

Fact: Features one of the first Hollywood depictions of Japanese organized crime. The script was co-written by Paul Schrader. Robert Mitchum trained extensively in Japanese sword fighting for his role.