The Marseille Contract

Year: 1974

Runtime: 91 mins

Language: English

Director: Robert Parrish

CrimeActionThriller

Living a life of luxury, they are drawn into a deadly game. In Marseille, a powerful drug lord is suspected of ordering the murder of an American agent. His political connections make prosecution impossible, prompting the dead agent’s superior to enlist a professional hitman to eliminate the trafficker.

The Marseille Contract (1974) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at The Marseille Contract (1974) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In the glittering port city of Marseille, wealth and influence mingle with shadows that stretch far beyond the bustling markets and sun‑kissed boulevards. The atmosphere hums with a blend of old‑world charm and modern ambition, while powerful interests quietly shape the flow of a lucrative underworld. It is a place where a life of luxury can mask the relentless pull of danger, and where the line between legitimate authority and illicit power is often indistinguishable.

Steve Ventura, the French head of the Drug Enforcement Administration, moves through this world with a mixture of determination and weary resignation. Charged with dismantling a network that seems untouchable because of its deep political roots, he confronts the frustration of a justice system that can be outmaneuvered at every turn. Ventura’s reputation rests on relentless pursuit, yet he is acutely aware that conventional methods may never be enough to bring the city’s most entrenched figures to account.

John Deray arrives in Marseille as a consummate professional, a hired operative whose reputation precedes him. Possessing a cool precision and an ability to blend into any setting, he is the kind of outsider whose skills are sought when the stakes rise above what law enforcement can safely handle. Deray’s presence introduces a stark contrast to the bureaucratic rigidity of official channels, offering a more ruthless, if morally ambiguous, approach to the problem that looms over the city.

The film settles into a tension‑laden rhythm, balancing sleek, sun‑drenched vistas with an undercurrent of imminent threat. As Ventura and Deray each navigate their own codes of conduct, a fragile partnership begins to form, driven by a shared recognition that the city’s hidden battles demand more than paperwork and protocol. The mood is one of stylish suspense, where every polished surface hints at deeper intrigue, and the audience is left to wonder how far the two men will go when the ordinary boundaries of law and violence collide.

Last Updated: December 04, 2025 at 18:19

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