Watch The Sell-Out

The Sell-Out is a political thriller from 1976, directed by Peter Collinson and starring Oliver Reed, Richard Widmark, and Gayle Hunnicutt. The movie is set in an African country that's on the brink of a revolution, and it follows the story of a British journalist who gets caught up in the events that lead to the country's political overthrow.

The film opens with a narration that sets the tone for the movie, describing the political situation in the country and the corruption that exists at the highest levels of government. We're introduced to Oliver Reed's character, a journalist named Ferdy Fox, who's stationed in the country and who gets embroiled in the unfolding events. Fox is a cynical and hard-drinking reporter who's not afraid to take risks to get the story. He's a seasoned journalist who's covered wars and revolutions before, and he knows how to navigate through dangerous situations.

The story really kicks off when Fox meets a charismatic African leader named Col. Muntu, played by Sam Wanamaker. Muntu is a revolutionary figure who's trying to overthrow the government and establish a new order in the country. The problem is that Muntu has a lot of enemies, both inside and outside the country. The government sees him as a threat to their power, and the foreign powers see him as a threat to their economic interests.

As Fox gets closer to Muntu and starts to uncover the truth about what's really happening in the country, he finds himself caught up in a web of intrigue and danger. He's pursued by both the government and the foreign powers, and he's constantly in danger of being killed or captured.

The movie really shines in its portrayal of the political situation in the country. The Sell-Out is a powerful indictment of the corruption and collusion that exists between foreign powers and African governments. It shows how local leaders are often willing to sell out their people for personal gain, and how the international community is often complicit in this. The movie also highlights the struggle for self-determination that many African countries were going through at the time, and it does so in a way that's both honest and nuanced.

Oliver Reed is perfect in the role of Ferdy Fox. He brings a level of intensity to the character that's both impressive and compelling. His performance is nuanced and subtle, and he manages to convey the complexity of the character's emotions without ever being over the top. Richard Widmark is also excellent as the cynical CIA agent who's working behind the scenes to drive the country towards revolution. He's a menacing figure, but he also has a certain charm that makes him hard to hate.

The Sell-Out is a beautiful-looking film. The cinematography is excellent, and the African landscape is captured in all its rugged beauty. The movie has a gritty, realistic feel to it, and it never shies away from the harsh realities of life in a country torn apart by war and revolution.

One of the things that sets The Sell-Out apart from other political thrillers of its time is its willingness to explore the grey areas of its characters' motivations. None of the characters in the movie are purely good or purely evil. They're all driven by a combination of personal ambition, ideology, and self-preservation. This makes the movie more interesting and realistic, as it reflects the messy reality of politics.

Overall, The Sell-Out is a powerful and thought-provoking movie that's still relevant today. It's a film that explores political corruption, collusion between foreign powers and local governments, and the struggle for self-determination. With its nuanced characters, excellent performances, and stunning cinematography, The Sell-Out is a classic of the political thriller genre.

The Sell-Out is a 1977 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 28 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.9.