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Timeline

The Killer Elite (1975) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
1975 · 122 min · English
JustWatch #6,981 9
Directed by
Sam Peckinpah
Starring
MAKO, James Caan, Robert Duvall, Bo Hopkins, Burt Young, Walter Kelley

Two highly skilled assassins, George and Mike, share a professional bond until a tempting offer pulls George to a rival organization. Betrayed and struggling to recover his abilities, Mike is plunged into a dangerous pursuit to shield his assigned target from George’s relentless team. The former friends find themselves locked in a deadly game of cat and mouse, testing their skills and loyalty.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (15)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like The Killer Elite
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch The Killer Elite (1975)

Where can you watch The Killer Elite? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Amazon Prime Video, ScreenPix Amazon Channel and Tubi TV: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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15 events in order · contains spoilers

The Killer Elite Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of The Killer Elite (1975) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Betrayal and Injury

    Mike Locken and George Hansen, operatives for ComTeg, face a life-altering betrayal when Hansen murders their client and severely injures Locken. This event marks the beginning of Locken's tumultuous journey, leading to his forced retirement due to his injuries.

  2. Recovery and Transformation

    After months of rehabilitation, Locken adjusts to using metal braces and a cane, rekindling his determination. Under the care of his nurse, Amy, he invests himself in rigorous martial arts training, using his physical limitations as motivation for revenge against Hansen.

  3. Doubt and New Mission

    Cap Collis, director of ComTeg, expresses skepticism regarding Locken's ability to return to active duty due to his injuries. Despite this, a new mission emerges: protecting Taiwanese politician Yuen Chung from assassination threats, which includes Hansen among those targeting him.

    Where
    ComTeg Headquarters
  4. Gathering the Team

    Motivated by revenge, Locken assembles a team of former operatives including Mac and marksman Jerome Miller. He is unaware that Collis is conspiring with Hansen to eliminate Chung and seize control of ComTeg.

  5. Failed Assassination Attempt

    An assassination attempt on Chung fails, escalating the threat against him. Collis, aligned with Hansen, hires hit squads to ensure Chung’s elimination, intensifying the stakes for Locken and his crew.

    Where
    Chung's Safehouse
  6. Protecting the Chungs

    Locken skillfully protects Chung and his daughter, Tommie, from an attack on their safehouse. He manages their escape plan to a secluded pier while trying to outsmart Hansen yet is met with skepticism from Mac, who suspects Locken's motives.

    Where
    Safehouse
  7. Hostage Situation

    Under the cover of night, Hansen infiltrates the safehouse, taking Tommie hostage to force Locken into submission. During their tense confrontation, Hansen offers Locken a partnership, revealing his alliance with Collis, which Locken vehemently rejects.

    Where
    Safehouse
  8. Collis's Betrayal Revealed

    Realizing Collis’s betrayal, Locken reaches out to Weybourne for support. This pivotal moment allows him to uncover more about Collis's treacherous plans while simultaneously promising Locken potential advancement within the agency.

    Where
    ComTeg Headquarters
  9. Setting Sail

    Locken takes command of the yacht that will serve as a safe haven for Chung and Tommie. He ensures their safety on board while preparing for an imminent showdown with the hit squads and Hansen's forces at the Naval Reserve Fleet.

    Where
    Naval Reserve Fleet
  10. Showdown at Sea

    Locken, along with Miller and Mac, bravely confronts Collis and a team of ninjas aboard an anchored ship. In the ensuing chaos, Collis's desperation leads him to attempt a bribe, but Locken retaliates by shooting him, harking back to his earlier betrayal.

    Where
    Anchored Ship
  11. Ninja Attack

    As the ninjas launch their attack, Miller valiantly fights back but ultimately falls victim to the crossfire. This critical moment underscores the perilous nature of their mission as Locken pushes to protect Chung and gain retribution against Hansen.

    Where
    Anchored Ship
  12. Chung's Duel

    Hansen's forces escalate their tactics as Toku challenges Chung to a duel. Locken yearns to intervene but respects Chung’s decision, witnessing an intense battle that culminates in Chung defeating Toku and securing their position.

    Where
    Anchored Ship
  13. Reinforcements Arrive

    Weybourne arrives with reinforcements just as Chung vanquishes Toku, turning the tide against the remaining ninjas. This moment signifies a crucial turning point, helping Locken aim for justice and closure in the face of betrayal.

    Where
    Anchored Ship
  14. Final Confrontation

    Mac confronts Weybourne after the battle, accusing him of manipulating Locken and his team for personal gain. Their exchange reveals the complexities of loyalty and betrayal within ComTeg’s ranks as Locken contemplates his next move.

    Where
    Anchored Ship
  15. Setting a New Course

    Locken ultimately rejects Weybourne's offers but chooses to sail away with Mac on Collis's yacht. This final moment symbolizes a fresh start for Locken as they prepare to face the uncertainties that lie ahead.

    Where
    Collis's Yacht

Last updated: November 16, 2024 at 18:16

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Timeline questions answered

The Killer Elite Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of The Killer Elite (1975): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why does George Hansen betray Mike Locken?

Hansen murders their client and shoots Locken, severely injuring his knee and elbow. The betrayal is driven by his alliance with Cap Collis, who hires Hansen to kill Yuen Chung and help him overthrow ComTeg director Lawrence Weybourne. Hansen claims shooting Locken was 'not personal', it was simply business.

  • george hansen
  • mike locken
  • betrayal
  • comteg
Q2

How does Mike Locken recover his fighting abilities?

After months of rehabilitation, Locken learns to function with metal braces on his knee and elbow. He moves in with his nurse Amy and trains rigorously in martial arts, transforming his physical limitations into strengths by mastering the use of his cane as a weapon.

Foreshadowing: The injury that ends his career becomes the catalyst for his transformation

  • mike locken
  • recovery
  • rehabilitation
  • martial arts
  • cane
Q3

Why does Cap Collis work with George Hansen?

Collis secretly hires Hansen and a ninja team to assassinate Yuen Chung after a failed initial attempt. Collis's true goal is to overthrow current ComTeg director Lawrence Weybourne and seize control of the agency. He uses Hansen as a mercenary while maintaining his position as ComTeg director.

Foreshadowing: Collis expresses doubt about Locken's ability to return, while secretly plotting against Weybourne

  • cap collis
  • george hansen
  • conspiracy
  • comteg
  • lawrence weybourne
Q4

Why does George Hansen take Tommie hostage?

Hansen infiltrates the safehouse at night and takes Tommie Chung hostage to force Locken to disarm. During their confrontation, Hansen reveals his partnership with Collis and offers Locken a cut of the bounty to help kill Chung. Locken rejects the offer, and Miller shoots Hansen instead.

Foreshadowing: Locken's instruction to position the Chungs by a lit window draws Hansen's attention

  • tommie chung
  • hostage
  • george hansen
  • safehouse
Q5

Why does Jerome Miller shoot Hansen instead of letting Locken?

When Hansen offers Locken a partnership and walks away, Miller takes the opportunity to shoot Hansen dead. Locken is infuriated because he wanted the personal satisfaction of confronting his nemesis himself. Miller's action denies Locken the revenge he had been seeking.

  • jerome miller
  • george hansen
  • revenge
  • shooting
Q6

Why does Yuen Chung fight Toku himself?

When ninja leader Negato Toku challenges Chung to a duel, Locken wants to intervene but respects Chung's decision to fight his own battle. Chung defeats and kills Toku in a short but intense fight, demonstrating his own courage and capability.

Foreshadowing: Chung has been portrayed as a political figure facing assassination threats

  • yuen chung
  • negato toku
  • duel
  • ninja
Q7

Why does Mike Locken turn down Lawrence Weybourne's offer?

Weybourne offers Locken a promotion in exchange for exposing Collis's treachery. Locken ultimately rejects this offer, disillusioned with the agency culture that used him and his team as pawns in internal power struggles. He chooses freedom over继续ing to work for an organization that betrayed him.

Foreshadowing: Weybourne admits Locken has 'nothing but his work to hold onto'

  • lawrence weybourne
  • mike locken
  • offer
  • promotion
  • comteg
Q8

Why does Mike Locken keep Collis's yacht?

Though Locken rejects Weybourne's offer of employment, he takes Collis's yacht and the bribe money that Collis had offered him during the confrontation. He sails away with Mac, symbolizing his rejection of the agency world while taking what he can from those who wronged him.

Foreshadowing: Collis tries to bribe Locken during the showdown

  • yacht
  • mike locken
  • mac
  • bribe
  • sailing away
Q9

Why does Mac confront Lawrence Weybourne after the battle?

Mac directly accuses Weybourne of using Locken and the team as pawns in his schemes to remove Collis. Weybourne responds that Locken has nothing else in his life but his work. This confrontation highlights the theme of betrayal within the intelligence agency.

  • mac
  • lawrence weybourne
  • confrontation
  • betrayal
Q10

What happens to Jerome Miller?

During the ninja attack aboard the anchored ship, Miller fights bravely, mowing down multiple ninjas with his marksmanship. However, he is ultimately shot in the crossfire and killed. His sacrifice underscores the high cost of the mission and the deadly nature of their work.

  • jerome miller
  • death
  • ninja attack
  • sacrifice

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Killer Elite, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes The Killer Elite tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Revenge-Driven Cat-and-Mouse Thrillers like The Killer Elite

A game of hunter and hunted, fueled by betrayal and violent retribution. If you liked the tense, violent pursuit in The Killer Elite, these movies feature similar stories of betrayal and revenge. Discover other gritty thrillers where a hunter becomes the hunted, and former friends are locked in a deadly game of skill and vengeance.

  • revenge-driven
  • tense
  • violent
  • gritty
  • betrayal
  • brutal
  • Tone: dark, tense, cynical
  • Pacing: fast, escalating
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories typically begin with a profound betrayal that shatters a professional or personal bond. The wounded protagonist must overcome physical or psychological trauma to pursue their adversary, leading to a series of confrontations that test their skills and morality, often culminating in a bittersweet victory at a great personal cost.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread share a core narrative of vengeance sparked by intimate betrayal. They are united by a dark, cynical tone, fast-paced action, high intensity, and an emotionally heavy journey that explores the brutal consequences of revenge.

Gritty 70s Conspiracy Action Movies like The Killer Elite

Cynical worlds of shadowy organizations, moral ambiguity, and violent espionage. Fans of The Killer Elite will appreciate these similar films from the same era. Explore more 1970s thrillers with dark tones, complex conspiracies, and gritty action that capture the cynical and paranoid spirit of the decade.

  • gritty
  • paranoid
  • conspiracy
  • cynical
  • espionage
  • violent
  • Tone: dark, cynical, paranoid
  • Pacing: steady, fast-paced action
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Narratives often involve a lone operative discovering the corruption within their own organization or being manipulated by unseen powers. The plot unfolds through a series of dangerous assignments, double-crosses, and violent set pieces, revealing a world where loyalty is fragile and survival demands brutal pragmatism.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their shared aesthetic and thematic DNA: a specific historical period (the 1970s), a dark and cynical tone, themes of conspiracy and betrayal, a gritty visual style, and a focus on professional killers or operatives in a morally compromised world.

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Movies Like The Killer Elite

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Every angle

The Killer Elite (1975) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

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