The Assassination Bureau –

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I’ve always loved Jack London, especially ‘Call of the Wild’ and ‘White Fang,’ though I’ve read those stories have been told before in different ways. Apparently, he even bought some plot ideas from Sinclair Lewis! Sadly, he died while working on a novel called ‘The Assassination Bureau,’ and it stayed hidden away for years. Eventually, his wife sold it to Robert L. Fish, who finally finished the book and published it in 1963. It’s amazing to me that a story started by London could finally see the light of day, even if someone else had to complete it.

The story, originally set in the US, was adapted for film and moved to London in 1908. When determined journalist and women’s rights advocate Sonia Winter (Diana Rigg) discovers the Assassination Bureau Limited – a secret organization that has been quietly eliminating wealthy and influential people for years, but only when they believe there’s a justifiable moral reason – she dedicates herself to shutting it down. With financial backing from her newspaper owner, Lord Bostwick (Telly Savalas), she hires the Bureau to assassinate its own chairman, Ivan Dragomiloff (Oliver Reed). Dragomiloff, surprisingly, welcomes the challenge and turns it into a game, daring his colleagues to try and kill him first.

This film originally had Rex Harrison or Burt Lancaster attached to star, but Oliver Reed ultimately took the lead role. It also featured a strong supporting cast including Diana Rigg, Curt Jurgens, and Warren Mitchell, among others. Planned for release in 1968, the film was delayed over a year following the assassinations of Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr., as the title, ‘The Assassination Bureau,’ was deemed inappropriate given the social climate. Unfortunately, the film never found a large audience, which is a shame because it’s a highly enjoyable blend of Bond, Royal Flash, and Kingsman, set in a steampunk Victorian world. With impressive sets, lavish design, and a thrilling climax aboard a Zeppelin, it’s a very entertaining 110-minute ride.

This film is unfairly overlooked and deserves a second look, especially with the added bonus features now available.

  • High Definition (1080p) Blu-ray presentation
    • Original lossless English mono audio
    • Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing
    • Audio commentary with authors Sean Hogan and Kim Newman
    • Right Film, Wrong Time, a 30-minute appreciation by critic, broadcaster and cultural historian Matthew Sweet
    • Original trailer
    • Image gallery
    • Collectors’ booklet featuring writing on the film by Katherine McLaughlin
    • Reversible sleeve featuring two original artwork choices

The short feature with Matthew Swett is really insightful, and film critic Kim Newman’s commentary is definitely worth checking out. If you’re not familiar with the movie, it’s a fun watch! You’ll likely enjoy it.

Here’s The Assassination Bureau trailer…….

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2025-12-20 03:24