Power Play

"All They Need is 2 Hours - And You'll Tell Them Everything!"

1978 1h 42m EN

👍

7.2

SOLID

★7.2TMDB · 13

ThrillerDrama

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

A group of military officers frustrated by government corruption and brutality attempts a coup.

“All They Need is 2 Hours - And You'll Tell Them Everything!”

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Cast

Peter O'Toole
Colonel Zeller
David Hemmings
Colonel Anthony Narriman
Donald Pleasence
Blair
Barry Morse
Dr. Jean Rousseau
August Schellenberg
Minh
Harvey Atkin
Anwar
George Touliatos
Barrientos
Alberta Watson
Donna

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Martyn Burke
Writers: Martyn Burke, Cliff Osmond
Languages: English
Countries: Canada, United Kingdom

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

ERA

Did you know

48 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

International production across 2 countries: Canada, United Kingdom.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Martyn Burke, shot by Ousama Rawi. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Ken Thorne. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor John Victor-Smith shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Peter O'Toole and David Hemmings and Donald Pleasence carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

FACT

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "All They Need is 2 Hours - And You'll Tell Them Everything!".

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt0078105 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Martyn Burke directs. Ousama Rawi behind the camera. Ken Thorne scores. John Victor-Smith cuts. Produced in Canada, United Kingdom. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

148 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.
2International production across 2 countries: Canada, United Kingdom.
3Directed by Martyn Burke, shot by Ousama Rawi. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
4Original score by Ken Thorne. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
5Editor John Victor-Smith shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
6Peter O'Toole and David Hemmings and Donald Pleasence carry the top of the cast.
7Marketing tagline: "All They Need is 2 Hours - And You'll Tell Them Everything!".
8IMDB entry: tt0078105 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
9Only 13 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.

The technical file

Cinematography: Ousama Rawi
Original score: Ken Thorne
Editing: John Victor-Smith
Production design: Karen Bromley
Costume design: Lynne MacKay
Makeup / hair: Sandy Bozzo
Stunt coordinator: Dwayne McLean
Runtime: 102 min · 1h 42m
Status: Released
Original language: EN
IMDB: Power Play (1978)

Also by

Martyn Burke

Community reviews

What people are saying

Potsdamerplatz2025-03-21
★ 10/10
A hidden gem from the 1970s, "Power Play" brings an ensemble cast together as military officers in a fictional country, planning a coup d'état against the unpopular, corrupt and authoritarian regime. David Hemmings and Barry Morse lead the conspirators with more big names being recruited as the movie progresses. The country's ruthless security police, headed by a sinister Donald Pleasence, soon begin to suspect something is going on and the tension is ramped up in the days leading to the planned revolution. Officers become unreliable, plans go awry and it becomes apparent there is a traitor amongst the military leadership. The ending includes some of the biggest and most unexpected twists that I've ever seen on screen. Highly suspenseful throughout with many action scenes towards the end as the coup gets underway. Highly recommended.

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