Portrait of a Hitman

About This Movie

So, 'Portrait of a Hitman' is this gritty blend of action and drama that just pulls you in with its raw emotional stakes. The pacing is interesting, sometimes languid, but it serves the story well, letting the tension build as the hitman grapples with his moral compass. The atmosphere is thick with a sense of impending doom, especially given the personal ties between him and the target, a brain surgeon, who happens to be an old buddy. Both men are caught in a web of love for the same woman, which adds an unexpected layer to the hitman's mission. The performances are solid—there's a real sense of conflict and desperation that elevates the film beyond typical genre fare. It’s not a polished gem, but its rough edges give it character.

This film has had a rather limited distribution over the years, making collector interest quite high, especially among enthusiasts of lesser-known action dramas from the late '70s. The VHS and DVD formats were somewhat scarce at release, and as a result, original media copies are often hard to come by. The film’s unique narrative and character-driven plot make it a fascinating piece for those interested in the evolution of action cinema during that era.