Action Cult Classic

A former Green Beret is manipulated into a deadly mission at the volatile crossroads of power and revenge.

HOUR OF THE ASSASSIN

They aimed his anger at a president—and hid the real enemy behind the trigger.

1987 · 1h 36m · R · Action / Drama · IMDB TMDB

Martin Fierro thinks he is avenging his father and serving a revolution. As the inauguration approaches, a CIA agent races to expose who chose the target—and who truly gave the order.

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Quick Answer

What is Hour of the Assassin about?

Hour of the Assassin is a 1987 American action drama film directed by Luis Llosa about a former Green Beret tricked into assassinating a president by the generals who killed his father.

Programmer's Pick

If you like your geopolitics served with double-crosses and a helping of B-movie bravado, Hour of the Assassin is your ticket. Where else do CIA agents and vengeful Green Berets spiral through a coup orchestrated by the men who murdered dad?

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

Hour of the Assassin thrusts a former Green Beret, Martin Fierro, into the heart of political betrayal as he is recruited for an assassination in the fictional country of San Pedro. The generals pulling the strings have a personal history with Fierro, having murdered his father, and now deceive him into targeting a progressive president-elect under false pretenses. Fierro believes he’s serving a revolutionary cause, but the real motivations are far more self-serving. With the inauguration looming, a CIA agent joins the fray, attempting to prevent the hit before the country spirals into chaos. Loyalties clash and agendas converge in this low-budget, high-stakes tangle of revenge, conspiracy, and covert operations.

Details & Specs

Director: Luis Llosa
Writer: Matt Leipzig
Release: 1987
Runtime: 1h 36m
Country: United States of America
Genres: Action, Drama
Also Known As: Stunde der Meuchelmörder, O Assassino do Presidente, Misión en los Andes

Why This Matters

This action–drama was executive produced by Roger Corman, a prolific figure in genre cinema, and directed by Luis Llosa Urquidi, highlighting an international cast and production approach in late 1980s action filmmaking.

— SassyFlix Curator