The 10th Victim (La Decima vittima) (The Tenth Victim) (1965)

83% of critics liked it
(6 reviews)
69% of users liked it
(1,463 ratings)

That old phrase "you always hurt the one you love" takes on a new meaning in this satiric comedy. In the 21st Century, government and the private sector have come together to create a solution to human aggression by giving it a profitable outlet. "The Big Hunt" is a popular worldwide game show in… More That old phrase "you always hurt the one you love" takes on a new meaning in this satiric comedy. In the 21st Century, government and the private sector have come together to create a solution to human aggression by giving it a profitable outlet. "The Big Hunt" is a popular worldwide game show in which contestants, identified as "Hunter" and "Victim" and chosen at random by computer, chase one another around the globe; the player who can kill his counterpart is declared the winner and moves on to another match. After ten wins, the player is retired from the game and gets a cash prize of one million dollars, but few have managed that feat. The sponsors of "The Big Hunt" (a tea company known to give contestants bonuses for mentioning their slogans on camera) bring together two current champions for a special match. Marcello Polletti (Marcello Mastroianni) plays the game for money after a nasty and expensive break-up with his wife, and he's just completed his sixth round. Marcello is the victim and is being pursued by Caroline Meredith (Ursula Andress), a beautiful but highly skilled hunter who after nine wins isn't about to let Marcello slip through her fingers. However, as Marcello and Caroline warily follow one another (she posing as a television reporter and he as the leader of a cult of sun worshipers), they become infatuated with one another, a development that interferes with the game in unexpected ways. Directed by Elio Petri, La Decima Vittima (aka The 10th Victim) has earned a loyal cult following among film buffs for its pointed humor and the romantic chemistry between Marcello Mastroianni and Ursula Andress, who were briefly an item off screen. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 32 min.
Directed By: Elio Petri
Genres: Action & Adventure, Art House & International, Mystery & Suspense, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1999 Wide
On DVD: Dec 31, 2001
Studio: Anchor Bay Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Sean Axmaker, Turner Classic Movies Online
Petri directs with tongue firmly in cheek, lampooning the media obsession with high risk contests and games of chance with cool sixties style ...
James Kendrick, Q Network Film Desk
The problem for modern audiences is that the film is so fundamentally mired in the swinging silliness of mid-'60s Euro culture that the message gets lost amid all the gaudy colors, insipid pop music, and generally deranged production design
Budd Wilkins, Slant Magazine
This vibrant-hued, double-barreled mindbender clearly paves the way for everything from Ah-nold on the lam in The Running Man to the parody-parade Series 7: The Contenders.
Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
A droll, Sterlingian arabesque
Bill Gibron, PopMatters
From the outrageous fashions to the less than hidden anti-media agenda, this revamped version of The Most Dangerous Game is like a retro Running Man meshed with a Cinzano ad.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Interesting sci-fi film. Not really successful, but worth a look.

Read all 6 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Bruce B

Not sure what category to put this one in I got it from a list of 1965 Italian Movies, but it is also on the fringe of Euro spy Movies. Some put it in the science Fiction Category because its supposed to be in the future, being back in 65, would make now the future. Anyway its about… More
Not sure what category to put this one in I got it from a list of 1965 Italian Movies, but it is also on the fringe of Euro spy Movies. Some put it in the science Fiction Category because its supposed to be in the future, being back in 65, would make now the future. Anyway its about people who join a hunt club, you have 10 hunts and you hunt humans one time your the hunter next your the victim. Ursula Andress is the Hunter, and for a 1965 movie she is wearing some beautiful dresses. If you like Italian made films and slap stick you will enjoy this one 4 stars.
AJ V

I really loved this movie. Not only because it stars Marcello Marstoianni, but because it's a futuristic thriller with a bit of comedy. I highly recommend it.
Stefanie C

Delightfully campy and satirical!
Robert C

Just watch it. You can't go wrong really,
Walter M

[font=Century Gothic][color=#ff0000]"The Tenth Victim" is set sometime in the near future. And it starts out with a sight that most native New Yorkers would find terribly uncommon - a gunfight happening on the streets of New York City. What is going on is a legalized hunt… More
[font=Century Gothic][color=#ff0000]"The Tenth Victim" is set sometime in the near future. And it starts out with a sight that most native New Yorkers would find terribly uncommon - a gunfight happening on the streets of New York City. What is going on is a legalized hunt - if a person makes it to 10 - five as victim, five as hunter - then they are declared a decathlete and win a million dollars. This is done to pacify and control the population.(Not sanctioning violence or anything, but I think I'd prefer this to the solution proposed in "Equilibrium.") Caroline Meredith(Ursula Andress) is the hunter on the verge of getting her tenth kill; Marcello Polletti(a strangely blond Marcello Mastrioanni) is the victim. Oh and the victim does not know who the hunter is... [/color][/font] [font=Century Gothic][color=#ff0000][/color][/font] [font=Century Gothic][color=#ff0000]One of the more ripped off movie plots, if not actually number one, is the plot from "The Most Dangerous Game" wherein a big game hunter gets bored with hunting animals and turns his attention to hunting people. What sets "The Tenth Victim" apart is its keen commentary on modern society, especially commercialism. To my surprise, the movie became an entertaining chapter in the continuing battle of the sexes.[/color][/font] [font=Century Gothic][color=#ff0000][/color][/font] [font=Century Gothic][color=#ff0000][/color][/font]
Marion R

Masochist club, legalized killings, sun cults, famous killers, Ursula Andress, great 60's music. This movie was right up my alley, everything I like is in this I was surprised of how much I enjoyed this film.