Hard Contract (1969): Cast & Plot
Hard Contract is a 1969 romantic crime film directed by S. Lee Pogostin, starring James Coburn as John Cunningham, Karen Black and Burgess Meredith. It runs 1 hour 46 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 46m (106 min)
- Director
- S. Lee Pogostin
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- 20th Century Fox
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Hard Contract About?
The premise of Hard Contract without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Bound by a ruthless code that values control over feeling—97 % discipline, 3 % emotion—a cold‑hearted American hitman travels to Europe for what he believes will be his final job. When he meets a striking young woman, unexpected attraction awakens doubt in his purpose, forcing him to question the contract and his own nature.
Hard Contract Themes & Keywords
· 33 tags- europe
- murder
- belgium
- loner
- assassin
- hitman
- scene during opening credits
- american
- woman
- young
- man
- contract
+21 more Show fewer
- chess
- beer
- casino de madrid
- grand place brussels
- prado madrid
- mercedes benz
- limousine
- death
- flemish
- brussels belgium
- french
- ex nazi
- jetset
- wealth
- love
- spain
- torremolinos spain
- money
- enigma
- male female relationship
- hired killer
Hard Contract Cast & Characters
James Coburn leads the cast as John Cunningham, with Karen Black as Ellen and Burgess Meredith as Ramsey Williams. Directed by S. Lee Pogostin; 17 actors are credited in all.
- Director S. Lee Pogostin
-
James Coburn as John Cunningham -
Karen Black as Ellen -
Burgess Meredith as Ramsey Williams -
Lee Remick as Sheila Metcalfe
Also Starring in Hard Contract
· 13 more- Lilli Palmer Adrianne
- Sterling Hayden Michael Carlson
- Patrick Magee Alexi
- Claude Dauphin Maurice
- Dominique Davray Barmaid (uncredited)
- Sabine Sun Belgian Prostitute
- Helen Cherry Evelyn Carlson
- Allen Emerson Slick Haired Men (uncredited)
- Laura Hale Asst. in Stock Exchange (uncredited)
- Diane Myles Voting Booth Clerk (uncredited)
- Hedy Scott Voting Booth Clerk (uncredited)
- Jo Nupie Flemish lady (uncredited)
- Bea Thompkins Voting Booth Clerk (uncredited)
Hard Contract Plot Summary
What happens in Hard Contract from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
On election day, John Cunningham, James Coburn, a CIA assassin with nerves of steel and no conscience, kills a man, votes in the local election, and spends the rest of the afternoon with Ellen, Karen Black, a prostitute. The next day, Cunningham goes to see Ramsey Williams, Burgess Meredith, his mobilizer whose cover is a job as a college physics professor.
Ramsey offers one final, lucrative “hard contract” as he calls it, consisting of three hits, two in Spain and Belgium, with the last victim to be revealed after the first two are dispatched.
Full summary
The whole story of Hard Contract, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know Hard Contract?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which actor portrays CIA assassin John Cunningham?
Cars in Hard Contract
21 cars on screen, including the 1968 Chrysler New Yorker and the 1965 Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman W100.
-
1968 Chrysler New Yorker Important role -
1965 Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman W100 Important role -
1968 Seat 600 D Important role -
Citroën 2CV Minor role
Seen Hard Contract?
Movies Like Hard Contract
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Hard Women, Contrato and The Contract.
Hard Contract FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Hard Contract, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Hard Contract?
Hard Contract runs 1 hour 46 minutes (106 minutes).
When was Hard Contract released?
Hard Contract was released on April 30, 1969.
Who directed Hard Contract?
Hard Contract was directed by S. Lee Pogostin.
Who is in the cast of Hard Contract?
Hard Contract stars James Coburn as John Cunningham, Karen Black as Ellen and Burgess Meredith as Ramsey Williams, among 17 credited actors.
Does Hard Contract have a post-credit scene?
No. Hard Contract has no extra scene during or after the credits.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
