1974's "Call Him Mr. Shatter" was nearly the last gasp for Britain's renowned Hammer Films, followed as it was by only three more titles and a pair of 13 episode teleseries. Second of a two picture deal with Hong Kong's Shaw brothers, preceded by "The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires," its lone returning cast member being Peter Cushing, in a sad finale to a sterling run at Hammer that began with the 1957 classic "The Curse of Frankenstein" (completing one episode of HAMMER HOUSE OF HORROR in 1980, "The Silent Scream"). Stuart Whitman stars in the title role, that of a professional assassin whose latest successful hit, the president of a (fictitious) African nation, results in his payment deferred by recalcitrant international banker Hans Leber (Anton Diffring). Not keen on losing $100,000, Shatter quickly learns that it was neither the US nor Britain that actually hired him, but the drug syndicate that found the president's lookalike brother a better fit for their nefarious needs. Paul Rattwood (Cushing), British security agent in Hong Kong, advises Shatter to leave or sacrifice his health, but with support from martial artist Tai Pah (Li Tung) and sister Mai-Mee (Lily Li), plays off both Rattwood and Leber for greater financial gain, ultimately left no choice but to remain in Hong Kong for the rest of his life. The opening builds nicely through Cushing's introduction 21 minutes in, then goes into a slumber as over a half hour of staged kung fu fights stops the plot dead in its tracks. The choreography is fine, but none of the blows actually hit their targets, the stunts consisting of men simply leaping or falling (no match for Bruce Lee's authenticity). Any film that requires its audience to root for a professional hit man for hire is asking quite a bit, so its really Cushing's three scenes, and Diffring's solid evil presence that truly keep it from sinking completely. Cushing's cynical character initially comes off as quite villainous and never really shakes that image, even when he come through at the end with Shatter's final remuneration. Despite its reputation, it remains quite watchable, perhaps due more to director Monte Hellman's yeoman efforts, filming roughly 80% of the finished film before being unceremoniously dumped toward the end of shooting by Hammer producer Michael Carreras, who took sole directorial credit (he'd been hired because of his familiarity with the location).

Stuart Whitman (Tender Flesh, Eaten Alive, the "Superboy" TV show) is Shatter, an international hit-man who goes into hiding when he carries out the assignment of killing an African general that he thought was given to him by someone that it wasn't. Now everyone is gunning for him and he just wants the money owed to him. I usually dig Hammer films quite a bit, however this is one I just couldn't get into. It's just way to slow and badly acted to keep my interest. It felt like it would have been made into a TV show if it did better than it wound up doing. No big loss either way, in my opinion.Eye Candy: Some random Chinese girl shows T&A My Grade: D+ DVD Extras: Commentary by Ousted director Monte Hellman & Actor Stuart WhitmanThe World of Hammer episode: "Chiller"; 2 TV spots; and Theatrical Trailer

Shatter (1974) was the second time Shaw Brothers and Hammer Films worked together. This time around the results are not as wild and as entertaining as their previous collaboration (The Seven Golden Vampires) but it's worth your while. Stuart Whitman plays your stereotypical all American actor (a type of role that would later be defined by two other great actors Scott Glenn and Fred Ward). He stars as Shatter, man of many skills. Like all people of his ilk, he has completed a job and all parties want him. Like all movie professionals he runs into the same problems (i.e. reneged contract, can't trust anybody, etc.). Peter Cushing guest stars as an English Special Agent as well as several Shaw Brothers' players (Lily Lee as the love interest and Ti Lung as Shatter's protectorate). Throw in Wei Lo (staff director of the Shaws) in a cameo and bit parts from Fung Hark-On and Lee Hoi Sang and viola! You have Shatter! Despite the lack of an interesting action direction (like Liu Chia Hua) the fight scenes are above average and they aptly showcase Ti Lung's skills (it's a shame that he never made it big time, his English wasn't bad and he has charisma).Fun for all, recommended for Hammer Films fans and Shaw Brothers marks.

Long unavailable on home vid, this was just one of the many projects that cult maestro Monte Hellman ghost-directed. So when the good folks at Roan decided to release this on LD, I jumped at the chance to get a copy. At forty bucks, it was worth it. But I had to order off the Dollar Menu for the rest of the week.It was a long-held belief that Hellman only directed a small portion of the film before being sacked and replaced by producer Michael Carreras. But in the running commentary, Hellman, upon seeing the movie for the very first time, was surprised to see that at least 80% of the final cut is his.Though no "Background to Danger," this is a very passable B-adventure, with Whitman a fine hero/foil. Whitman's Shatter is another in the long line of Hellman loner-man-on-the-outside-looking-in protagonists. The film also bears striking similarities with the long forgotten "Karate-the Hand of Death" (1961)about an American Karate expert returning to Japan after the war and runs afoul of some mob types. "Shatter" is a decent way to spend an hour and a half on a rainy afternoon, and a find for Monte Hellman completeists.