Assassinations in fiction


Contents

Assassinations have formed a major plot element in various works of fiction and have also attracted scholarly attention. In Assassinations and Murder in Modern Italy: Transformations in Society and Culture, Stephen Gundle and Lucia Rinaldi analyze modern Italian assassinations in their historical and cultural contexts and explore the films, fiction, theatre and art that they have inspired."[1] Nicholas Cullather has discussed "The Movie Version" of John F. Kennedy's assassination.[2]

This article provides a list of fictional stories in which assassination features as an important plot element. Passing mentions are omitted from this list.

Assassination can be regarded as the murder of a prominent person, globally, locally. The motive in assassination tends toward the political, rather than the merely personal or financial.[3]

This list prefers to highlight less familiar cultural artefacts, while trying not to itemize every Ian Fleming or Agatha Christie title, or every Mafia film. The historical – historically-based or historically-inspired – takes precedence over the purely fictional and sensational.

Alexandre Dumas, père
Bolesław Prus
Anthony Hope
Jack London
John Steinbeck
Arthur Koestler
Pär Lagerkvist

Novels

Short stories

Conan Doyle

Plays and operas

Shakespeare
de Vega
Corneille
Schiller
Słowacki
Ibsen

Films

Frank Sinatra in Suddenly (1954)
Mark Wahlberg at 2007 Shooter premiere

1890s

1900s

1910s

1920s

1930s

 This article contains Cyrillic text. Without proper rendering support, you may see question marks or boxes, misplaced vowels or missing conjuncts instead of Cyrillic characters.

1940s

1950s

1960s

1970s

1970–1974

1975–1979

1980s

1980–1984

1985–1989

1990s

1990–1994

1995–1999

2000s

2000–2002

2003–2005

2006–2007

2008–2009

2010s

  • I, Claudius — 2010 remake by Jim Sheridan, currently in development, on political violence in ancient Rome, as observed by Emperor Claudius
  • The Conspirator — 2010 film by Robert Redford, currently in production, about Mary Surratt (Robin Wright Penn) and the 1865 Abraham Lincoln assassination
  • Manhunt — 2010 film, currently in development, about the aftermath of the Lincoln assassination, based on Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer, by James L. Swanson
  • Man's Fate — 2010 film by Michael Cimino, currently in development
  • Tlatelolco: Mexico 68 — 2010 film by Fernando Sariñana, currently in development, about the 1968 Tlatelolco massacre of student activists by Mexican President Díaz Ordaz
  • Machete — 2010 film by Robert Rodriguez, currently in production, about a former Mexican federale (Danny Trejo) whose assassination of a corrupt US senator goes awry
  • The Devil in the White City — 2011 film, currently in development, includes the assassination of Chicago Mayor Carter Harrison, Sr.
  • Hitman 2 — 2011 sequel, currently in development, about a genetically engineered assassin known only as "Agent 47" (Timothy Olyphant)
  • The Amateur — 2012 remake, currently in development

Assassinated filmmakers

One direct and one indirect victim of terrorism.

Television

  • On Trial (1960) — a series of dramatizations of important UK legal cases, including the case of Governor Joseph Wall. In that episode, Spencer Perceval appears as a character. Perceval is the only British Prime Minister to have been assassinated (in 1812).
  • Red Dwarf (1988–1999) — The episode Tikka to Ride features an elaborate plot which takes place in an alternate timeline where JFK survives due to accidental intereference by the Red Dwarf crew. After witnessing the negative result of his survival the crew enlist Kennedy to go back in time to carry out the assassination. The plan works: Kennedy shoots his past self and the timeline is restored. Kennedy grimly thanks the gang for the chance to restore himself to his proper place in history, and fades away as a result of the resetting timeline.
  • Babylon 5 (1993–1998) — features several assassinations (meaning the targeted killing of a significant political figure, rather than the many other deaths or murders that occur in the show). One of the earliest assassinations is of Earth's President Santiago, in a spectacular scene showing the explosion of the Presidential Spaceship, Earth Force One. The same episode shows his Vice-President Clark being sworn in. The scene is shot as a replica of the swearing in of LBJ, following the JFK assassination, complete with Santiago's widow posed in the background. Clark's assumption of power begins Earth's slow decline into fascism, and it was discovered his faction arranged the assassination of President Santiago.
  • La Femme Nikita (1997–2001) — a television spy drama, based on the French film Nikita, starring Peta Wilson and Roy Dupuis as assassins who work in a secret government counter-terrorist organization, "Section One". Section One's operatives (assassins) work not for monetary gain nor from ideological devotion, but out of a fear of being cancelled (executed) for sub-standard performance. La Femme Nikita had a run of five seasons and a total of 96 episodes; during its first two seasons, it was the highest-rated drama on American basic cable. Joel Surnow and Robert Cochran, who created and produced La Femme Nikita, later went on to create 24.
  • The West Wing (1999–2006) — In the first season finale, in the episode "What Kind of Day Has It Been" there is an assassination attempt on President Bartlet's personal aide, Charlie Young. It is, however, thwarted by the Secret Service. In the following episodes the assassins are discovered to have been members of an organization called Virginia White Pride, a group of racists and white supremacists. In the third season, President Bartlet orders the assassination of Qumari Defence Minister Abdul Ibn Shareef, after it comes to light that the latter has ordered a group of terrorists to blow up the Golden Gate Bridge and is plotting other terrorist acts.
  • Alias (2001–2006) — Numerous assassinations, real and simulated, take place over the course of Sydney Bristow's odyssey through the underworld of covert intelligence and international organized crime.
  • 24 (2001–present) — Assassination plots have featured prominently throughout: Season 1 revolves around Counter-Terrorist Unit agent Jack Bauer's attempts to stop the assassination of Democratic presidential candidate David Palmer. Season 2 ends with the attempted assassination of now-President Palmer. Season 3 involves the assassination by Jack Bauer of his superior Ryan Chappelle at the behest of terrorist Stephen Saunders. Season 4 features an attempt to assassinate President Keeler by shooting down Air Force One (and subsequently the assassination of the president's son). Season 5's plot begins with a hired killer assassinating former president David Palmer at the beginning of the first episode, along with the assassination of CTU employee Michelle Dessler. Later in the 13th episode, Christopher Henderson attempts to assassinate Michelle's husband Tony Almeida. Season 6 involves the attempted assassinations of President Wayne Palmer and former President Charles Logan.
  • Monk (2002–2009) — The pilot episode centres on the failed assassination of a mayoral candidate.
  • Stargate Atlantis (2004–2009) — Several assassination attempts are featured through the series, the most extreme of them being the coup when Ladon Radim "assassinate" Chief Cowen and his Elite Guard with a hidden nuke, taking over as the new Genii leader. On another occasion, the protagonists narrowly protect the 13-year old Harmony from an attempt on her life ordered by one of her sisters (in order to usurp her position as would-be queen). In yet another incident, Teyla (disguised as a Wraith Queen) and Todd infiltrate a Hive Ship under the guise of negotiations. However, Todd stabs the Queen to death and blames Teyla for it, resulting in her becoming the new Queen.
  • Heroes (2006–present) — In the finale of the second volume of Heroes, "Generations", former New York Congressman Nathan Petrelli gives a nationally televised speech to the media in Odessa, Texas, regarding the successful stopping of an outbreak of a deadly virus. About to reveal that he has the ability to fly, he is shot in the chest twice, mid-sentence, by an unknown assassin who quickly leaves the scene. Nathan falls into the arms of his brother, Peter, and uses his last breath to whisper his name.

Animation

  • The Professional: Golgo 13 — Directed by Osamu Dezaki, the anime is about a professional assassin. Only two Anime installments were made.
  • Noir — Anime TV series that follows two female assassins' search to understand their past.

Board games

  • The Plot to Assassinate Hitler (1976) — Published by SPI. One player represents the forces in Nazi Germany opposed to Hitler, both military and civilian, while the other player plays the Gestapo and SS. Prominent figures in the 20 July plot appear in the game as playing pieces, e.g. Canaris, Olbricht, Witzleben, Goerdeler.

Video games

  • Portopia Renzoku Satsujin Jiken (1983) — Adventure game focusing on a murder case in Kobe, Japan.
  • Golgo 13: Top Secret Episode (1988) and Golgo 13: The Mafat Conspiracy (1990) — two NES games based on the Anime/Manga.
  • Grand Theft Auto series (1997–2008) — features numerous missions which involve assassination.
  • Shinobido (199?) — Heavily stealth-based video game centered around feudal-era Japan and its inhabitants. The protagonist is a ninja, who is given contact killing missons among others, and becomes a politically heavily involved reconnaissance agent, thief and mostly, assassin.
  • Tenchu (1998–2008) — Same as above, the originator of the next-generation ninja subterfuge gaming genre. Released earlier, more story-driven and somewhat less political, assassination is a trademark feature of the series.
  • Splinter Cell (200?) — Stealth action game which ends with an assassination of a powerful political leader.
  • Hitman: Codename 47 (2000) — Tactical stealth game which involves the assassination of various targets. It was followed by a number of sequels (see Hitman (series)).
  • Ragnarok Online (2001) — An MMORPG where the player can choose to become an assassin as a second job class.
  • Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind (2002) — RPG with numerous assassinations and even a guild dedicated to assassinations called the Morag Tong.
  • XIII (2003) — about an amnesiac and the assassination of a US President.
  • Total War (2006) — a strategy game series where the player can send assassins against opponents.
  • The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (2006) — RPG in which one may join an assassins' guild, the Dark Brotherhood. Also, the main storyline opens with an emperor being assassinated; the entire game hinges on this event.
  • The Godfather: The Game (2006) — the game features several missions with the goal to assassinating high-ranking members of the Five Families, including the Dons.
  • Assassin's Creed (2007) — Game in which one plays a member of the Hashshashin sect during the Third Crusade.
  • Team Fortress 2 (2007) — features one class, the spy, whose purpose is to assassinate other players. He features a knife among his weaponry that will kill instantly if it is a stab to the back of a character.
  • No More Heroes (2007) — The player is an assassin called Travis Touchdown who is the 11th ranked assassin of an organization called the UAA. The game leads the player to fight against the top 10 assassins of the UAA.
  • Call of Duty 4 (2007) — In two missions, the player plays as a sniper on a failed assassination attempt.
  • Star Wars: Force Unleashed (2008) — The four first levels are a mission where the player attempts to assassinate Jedi masters.
  • Fable II (2008) — This player is an assassin.
  • Call of Duty: World at War (2008)- In the first level of the Russian campaign, the player participates in the assassination of a Nazi general responsible for Stalingrad atrocities.
  • MadWorld (2009) — The gameplay revolves around how creatively you murder other contestants in a game called "Deathwatch".
  • Assassin's Creed II (2009) — The player assumes the role of a young nobleman-turned-assassin named Ezio Auditore da Firenze. The plot takes place in Italy. It was released in North America on November 17, 2009.

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Assassinations and Murder in Modern Italy: Transformations in Society and Culture, edited by Stephen Gundle and Lucia Rinaldi (Palgrave Macmillan, 2007).
  2. ^ Nicholas Cullather, "History, Conspiracy, and the Kennedy Assassination", Retrieving the American Past, ed. Marc Horger (New York: Pearson Custom Publishing, 2005), 301-330.
  3. ^ Murders within families are often termed assassinations if the family members are very prominent. This would be true of Roman Empire poisonings, or the 2001 slaughter of the royal family in Nepal. The 1998 murder of well-known actor Phil Hartman by his wife does not qualify.
    Is the 1978 murder of actor Bob Crane assassination? No. Is the 1987 murder of singer Peter Tosh by robbers assassination? If the motive is extortion, no. If an author writes a novel proposing a broad conspiracy, then yes. Is the 1948 death of actor Solomon Mikhoels assassination? Yes. It was orchestrated by Stalin.
    King Charles I? No. Executed publicly, after a trial. Tsar Nicholas II? Yes. Executed secretly, with his children, without a trial.
    There will always be a problem with a precise definition and applying that definition to specific cases.
  4. ^ Quo Vadis. Chapter LXX.
  5. ^ Quo Vadis. Chapter LXXI.
  6. ^ Quo Vadis. Epilogue. Mercy killing by Epaphroditus.
  7. ^ London authored p. 1-121. Fish wrote p. 122-179 based on London's notes (p. 181-184).
  8. ^ Recipient of the Edgar Award in 1972.
  9. ^ ISBN 0-690-01790-1
  10. ^ The story's manuscript reads Camorra. Conan Doyle changed the story as published to read Carbonari, a group no longer active at the time.
  11. ^ Recipient of the Evening Standard Award for Best Play in 1961.
  12. ^ Recipient of the Tony Award in 1961.
  13. ^ Recipient of the Tony Award in 1966.
  14. ^ Publication details for this title have been confirmed by the catalogue of the German National Library.
    Source: Katalog der Deutschen Nationalbibliothek
  15. ^ Source: IMDb review by "Cineanalyst", 2009.
  16. ^ Source: Cousins (q.v.), p. 40.
  17. ^ Director Dudley Murphy was a friend of failed Trotsky assassin and artist David Alfaro Siqueiros. Siqueiros painted a mural inside Murphy's L.A. house which was relocated in 2002 to the Santa Barbara Museum of Art.
  18. ^ The first Dutch sound film.
  19. ^ Source: 1965 BBC documentary The Epic That Never Was on the making of I, Claudius.
  20. ^ At present (March 2009), the amount of information on this film at the IMDb is modest. A fuller plot summary was available in the distributor's catalogue, reprinted in Hartley (q.v.), page 68. This is an early example of Lincoln conspiracy theory.
  21. ^ Clips of battle scenes of the Great Northern War were excerpted from this film and used in the Oscar-nominated The Battle of Russia, a 1943 documentary in Frank Capra's Why We Fight propaganda series, to illustrate the history of the Soviet people resisting foreign aggression.
  22. ^ Source: IMDb reviews by "Theo Winthrop", 2005, and the late Fisher "Fish" Forrest, 2000. This is the original IMDb review of Sirk's film.
  23. ^ Notable as the first postwar German film, it was made before the formal split of Germany into West Germany and East Germany.
  24. ^ The performer portraying the "Sarkhanese" prime minister in the film was a Thai politician who later became Prime Minister.
  25. ^ Director Lee Yong-min is otherwise known for his horror films, A Flower of Evil (1961) and A Devilish Homicide (1965).
  26. ^ Shanghai Bombing Incident, 1932: Shanghai Evening Post & Mercury
  27. ^ Prior to the final attack on Trotsky in August, 1940, there had been an earlier one in May. This original attack had been carried out, on behalf of Stalin, by Iosif Grigulevich and Vittorio Vidali, NKVD assassins who had probably been involved in the death of POUM leader Andrés Nin in Spain in 1937. (See George Orwell's memoir Homage to Catalonia, a source for Ken Loach's 1995 film Land and Freedom.) In Mexico City, they were joined by David Siqueiros, Mexican Stalinist and renowned mural painter.
    Bullet holes from the first attempt may be seen in Trotsky's bedroom at the Trotsky House Museum in Coyoacán.
    A revolutionary image by Siqueiros, familiar outside of Mexico, appears on the cover of the Rage Against the Machine concert video, The Battle of Mexico City. The image forms part of a large mural in Chapultepec Castle.
  28. ^ Source: IMDb review by "Fuzon", 2008.
  29. ^ This may be the only assassination film to have been honoured with a nude pictorial in Playboy magazine.
  30. ^ Ruth First appears as a minor character in the 2006 film Catch a Fire, about the ANC, where she is portrayed by her daughter, producer Robyn Slovo.
  31. ^ Recipient of the Ariel Award for Best Picture (Ariel de Mejor Película) in 1991.
  32. ^ Several of the 638 different ways employed by the USA to kill Castro, at least according to Cuban Intelligence.
  33. ^ The extended version of Nixon includes a conversation between Pres. Nixon and CIA Director Richard Helms (Sam Waterston). During the conversation, Salvador Allende († 1974) is shown; Ngo Dinh Diem († 1963), Rafael Trujillo († 1961), and Patrice Lumumba († 1961) are mentioned; Jacobo Árbenz (overthrown) and Mohammed Mosaddeq (overthrown) are alluded to.
  34. ^ Nixon mentions other important incidents of the era, including the assassinations of John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Robert F. Kennedy, and the attempt on George Wallace.
  35. ^ Official site: O Processo dos Távoras.
  36. ^ Lynn Compton, later the prosecutor of Kennedy's assassin, is a lieutenant in the 2001 HBO paratrooper miniseries Band of Brothers.
  37. ^ The film mistakenly refers to the assassination of General Dyer following the Amritsar Massacre. In fact, it was Governor O'Dwyer who was murdered, in London in 1940. Dyer had died of natural causes in 1927.
  38. ^ Director Andy Cheng is second unit director and stunt co-ordinator on Twilight, the noirish teen vampire romance.

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