The Swap

This article is about the 1979 film. For the 2016 television film, see The Swap (2016 film).
The Swap
Directed by Jordan Leondopoulos (credited as John Shade)
Written by John C. Broderick (screenplay)
Starring Robert De Niro
Music by Bill Conti
Cinematography Álex Phillips Jr.
Release dates
 1979
Running time
 83 minutes
Country United States
Language English

The Swap is a 1979 American film directed by Jordan Leondopoulos, the film is edited from the 1969 film Sam's Song also directed by Leondopoulos.[1]

The film is also known as Line of Fire (American video title).

Plot summary

The film opens as Sam Nicoletti (Robert De Niro) works in his office where he is a film editor (in the original movie Sam's Song he is working on a documentary about Nixon but here he is working on a porno film), little knowing there is an intruder. After talking on the phone, Sam is knocked out from behind by the intruder.

After the credits the film cuts to ten years later. Sam's brother Vito is being released from prison for an unspecified crime. he sets out to find out who killed Sam and why. He goes to visit Erica Moore, a publisher, who he knows spent time with Sam in his last days. She tells him how her husband had an affair with Carole, a girl Sam was dating, and ended up marrying Carole. In flashbacks we learn more about a weekend that Sam spent with rich friends Warren and Mickey.

From a caretaker in the cemetery where Sam is buried, Vito learns that a girl has been visiting Sam's grave for the last ten years. He confronts here when she visits, but she drives off. Tracing her licence plate, he traces her to her home, where he reveals he is Sam's brother. Vivian reveals that she was in Sam's porno films. Vito is surprised as he was unaware of Sam's involvement in that business.

Further complexities lead Vito to Warren and his wife, who both have reason to prevent the porno film seeing the light of day. Vito gets his hands on the reel of film and has it processed, while Vivian transports him around. Warren's wife seduces Vito at his hotel but 'slips him a mickey', later kidnapping him at gunpoint. But Vito grabs her, turns the gun on her and she is killed.

Vito himself is wounded but goes to the film processing place where with Vivian he watches the porno film and sees that Warren was in it. Vivian drives him to Warren's where he shoots Warren's houseboy, and finds Warren in the bathtub. Warren pleads for his life but Vito shoots him.

The film ends as Vivian drives Vito away. She thinks they can make it to the mountains where she can get him a doctor, but he is clearly dying. She tells him that she loves him.

Cast

Production

In 1969 a young Robert De Niro starred in a drama called Sam's Song. It made little profit but it got him noticed. Ten years later, a filmmaker wanted to get De Niro onto his project but didn't have the resources to do it. So he took to stealing much of Sam's Song and incorporating it into his own film. The result was The Swap.

Robert De Niro was angered that Cannon Films took his previously shot footage and inserted it into an entirely new film and legal action was almost taken.

References

  1. ↑ Hayes, Britt (February 18, 2013). "Way Back When: Robert De Niro, Best Supporting Actor Nominee". ScreenCrush.
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