Scott LeBrun George Segal plays Shaver, an officer with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, currently on suspension for belting a superior. He then finds himself recruited by the Special Branch (a Canadian version of the C.I.A.) to get his hands on Henke (Val Avery), a troublemaker whom it's believed will be out to get the Soviet premier Kosygin. Well, Shaver finds out that there's a more sinister conspiracy afoot, and he must rely on his own wits to survive and prevent the assassination from happening.Segal manages to overcome his rather offbeat casting with a solid heroic performance. The movie itself takes a while to really grab a hold of its viewers, but becomes quite watchable in its rousing final reel. This action sequence was actually handled by Anthony Squire, as director Lou Lombardo (usually an editor who'd cut films for Peckinpah and Altman), was often high on drugs throughout the filming. That the movie actually turns out alright is a testament to a capable cast and crew, and a reasonably engrossing story, which is based on a novel by Tom Ardies.It's nice to see a movie shot in Canada that's *supposed* to be set in Canada, and the use of the British Columbia locations is impressive. The music by Michael J. Lewis is also noteworthy. Segal is backed up by an ace group of actors, including Cristina Raines as his girlfriend, Bo Brundin as a KGB psycho, Denholm Elliott as the Special Branch agent Petapiece, Gordon Jackson as Hardison, Peter Donat as McDermott, Richard Romanus as Detroit hit-man Ragulia, Nigel Stock as Ferguson, Graham Jarvis as Benson, Louise Fletcher as Midge, and Doug McGrath as Lars.While not overly slick or distinguished, "Russian Roulette" is still a pretty good thriller, and fans of the spy & action genres should dig it.Seven out of 10.

gridoon2018 George Segal is slightly out of his element in the action-spy genre, but he handles himself well enough; the major problem with "Russian Roulette" is a disjointed script, as a result of which very little happens in the film for about an hour! Once the main idea of the plot - and it's a pretty good one - is revealed, the film does improve somewhat, and there are three or four admittedly great stunts (the only memorable moments of "Russian Roulette"). Segal's co-star, Christina Raines, is pretty, she reminded me of Ali MacGraw, I wonder why she is so forgotten today. And the biggest mystery: why hire an actress of Louise Fletcher's caliber (who won the Oscar the same year for "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest") only to give her such a completely throwaway bit part? ** out of 4.

Kieran Green 'Russian Roulette' is an independently produced thriller lensed on location in Vancouver, The Russian premier's State visit to the city, sparks an intricate And elaborate assassination plot, The ever excellent and watchable, George Segal, stars as Harry Shaver, a Royal Canadian Mountain,Cop who's currently on suspension for an undisclosed offense towards his boss, Segal becomes involved in the staking out of a Russian political troublemaker, whom is currently residing in Vancouver, The plot thickens when said troublemaker goes missing, and the arrival of a Hit-man from Detroit really gets the plot going,In a hilarious scene Segal accidentally kill's the hit-man, which leaves him with questions without answers, Segal with love interest in tow,sets out in a desperate race against time to thwart the assassination,before it's too late, which culminate's in a deadly rooftop/helicopter/ suicide bomb showdown,There is a wealth of talent involved including British favorite Denholm Elliot, as a greasy Informant, Gordon Jackson, and Cristina Raines as Segal's love interest, Robert Romanus, as an obnoxious hit-man,It would be great if they could put this on DVD as it would benefit from a spruced up restoration,

heedarmy The failure of this stylish thriller, financed by Lew Grade's ITC, effectively ended the directorial career of former Altman editor Lou Lombardo. It's true that "Russian Roulette" takes a while to get going and has an unnecessarily complex plot. However, Lombardo has a nice eye for detail, uses locations well (it is set in wintry Vancouver) and gets the best out of an eclectic cast."Russian Roulette" may start slowly but it builds to a cracking climax that is a tour de force of slick editing and exciting music (from the underrated Michael J Lewis). George Segal is well-cast and looks genuinely scared in the vertiginous rooftop shootout. Worth seeing.