The Domino Principle (1977): Cast & Plot
The Domino Principle is a 1977 action thriller directed by Stanley Kramer, starring Gene Hackman as Tucker, Richard Widmark and Ken Swofford. It runs 1 hour 38 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 38m (98 min)
- Director
- Stanley Kramer
- Original language
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English - Studio
- Associated General Films
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Domino Principle About?
The premise of The Domino Principle without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Roy Tucker, a Vietnam‑war veteran renowned for his sharpshooting, is serving a lengthy prison term. A shadowy stranger visits him, offering a deal: if Tucker undertakes a perilous covert mission, his freedom will be guaranteed. He must decide whom to trust in a world of betrayals.
The Domino Principle Themes & Keywords
· 31 tags- vietnam war veteran
- deep state
- prologue
- aerial camera shot
- archive footage
- black and white prologue
- montage prologue
- bay area rapid transit
- car goes over a cliff
- live action
- conspiracy thriller
- prison
+19 more Show fewer
- sea
- exploding helicopter
- explosion
- san francisco california
- release from prison
- prisoner
- paranoia
- sniper
- mexico
- assassination
- convicted felon
- kidnapping
- car bomb
- conspiracy
- helicopter
- hit and run
- based on novel
- independent film
- surprise ending
The Domino Principle Cast & Characters
Gene Hackman leads the cast as Tucker, with Richard Widmark as Tagge and Ken Swofford as Warden Ditcher. Directed by Stanley Kramer; 21 actors are credited in all.
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Director Stanley Kramer
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Gene Hackman as Tucker - Richard Widmark as Tagge
- Ken Swofford as Warden Ditcher
- Edward Albert as Pine
Also Starring in The Domino Principle
· 17 more- Mickey Rooney Spiventa
- Candice Bergen Ellie
- Eli Wallach Gen. Reser
- Ted Gehring Schnaible
- Majel Barrett Mrs. Schnaible
- Farnesio de Bernal Bank Official
- Charles Horvath Harley
- Patrick Allen Narrator (voice) (uncredited)
- Jay Novello Capt. Ruiz
- George Fisher Henemyer
- Bob Herron Brookshire
- Joseph V. Perry Bowkamp
- Neva Patterson Gaddis
- James W. Gavin Lenny
- Denver Mattson Murdock
- Claire Brennen Ruby
Show all 21 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Patricia Luke Travel Woman
More from Stanley Kramer
More films directed by Stanley Kramer, best-rated first: Inherit the Wind, Judgment at Nuremberg, The Defiant Ones and Guess Who's Coming to Dinner.
The Domino Principle Plot Summary
What happens in The Domino Principle from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Roy Tucker, Gene Hackman, is serving time in San Quentin for the murder of his wife’s first husband. He is introduced to Marvin Tagge, Richard Widmark, by Warden Ditcher, Ken Swofford. Through a series of interviews with Tagge and an associate named Ross Pine, Edward Albert Tucker learns that the two men represent a shadowy organization, and Tagge presents him with an offer: in exchange for helping him escape and start a new life, Tucker must work for the organization for a few weeks. Tucker is initially wary of the offer and confides in his cellmate Oscar Spiventa, Mickey Rooney, who warns him that he is being groomed as an expendable hitman by “them,” a nameless cabal that runs the country from the shadows. Tucker dismisses Spiventa as paranoid.
Full summary
The whole story of The Domino Principle, scene by scene
The Domino Principle Trailers & Videos
The trailer of The Domino Principle.
How Well Do You Know The Domino Principle?
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 the main character, Roy Tucker?
Cars in The Domino Principle
48 cars on screen, including the 1973 Plymouth Satellite and the 1974 Volkswagen Safari Typ 181.
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1973 Plymouth Satellite Important role -
1974 Volkswagen Safari Typ 181 Important role -
1973 AMC Matador Minor role -
1973 Cadillac Fleetwood 75 Minor role
Seen The Domino Principle?
Movies Like The Domino Principle
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Domino, Domino and Domino One.
The Domino Principle FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of The Domino Principle, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Domino Principle?
The Domino Principle runs 1 hour 38 minutes (98 minutes).
When was The Domino Principle released?
The Domino Principle was released on March 23, 1977.
Who directed The Domino Principle?
The Domino Principle was directed by Stanley Kramer.
More films by Stanley Kramer Who is in the cast of The Domino Principle?
The Domino Principle stars Gene Hackman as Tucker, Richard Widmark as Tagge and Ken Swofford as Warden Ditcher, among 21 credited actors.
Does The Domino Principle have a post-credit scene?
No. The Domino Principle has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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