In a London courtroom Willie Parker (Terence Stamp) betrays his criminal accomplices to the law. And despite being legally pardoned, he realises that he has, in effect, sentenced himself to death. Willie moves to a remote village in Spain and, certain that his former colleagues will eventually seek revenge, spends the next ten years meticulously preparing for his eventual execution. Finally a hit man, Braddock (John Hurt), is hired to snatch Willie and deliver him to Paris where he will meet his maker. Braddock and his sidekick Myron (Tim Roth) find themselves in an extraordinary situation: they have come to abduct and kill a man who is perfectly willing to die.

Jeremy Thomas: A road movie really shot on the road, from southern Spain to the French border, with a small troupe of crew and players. It was a wonderful experience working with Stephen Frears for the first time, and having actors like John Hurt, Terence Stamp, Tim Roth, Laura del Sol and Bill Hunter, and we all enjoyed the ride. I’m very fond of this film.