The Chairman

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The Chairman

PG

1969

1h 42m

Drama

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4 Reviews

30%

Popcornmeter

250+ Ratings

American scientist John Hathaway (Gregory Peck) goes to Communist China on a mission to steal a formula for an experimental agricultural enzyme with enormous practical benefits. Those in charge of the mission implant a microchip in his brain that will allow him to communicate with them. However, Hathaway is unaware that the device monitors his activities -- including playing ping-pong against the Chairman (Conrad Yama) -- and can be activated to kill him if his mission doesn't succeed.

Judith Crist

New York Magazine/Vulture

Idiotic.

Jan 1, 2020

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Gregory Peck bleeds with nobility, dignity, taste, restraint and all the things that are deadly to an action movie.

Rated: 2/4

Nov 18, 2006

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Charles Johnson

Sacramento Bee

Pretty good, but a half hour after you have seen it you feel hungry for more adventure.

Mar 10, 2022

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Not without interest, The Chairman is somewhat dry compared to the other three pictures Peck made with director J. Lee Thompson. Yet the central role is a good fit for the actor.

Rated: 2.5/4

Aug 17, 2019

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SICKS6SIX S

29% by the public, OK not Pecks best film but it's an easy 65%, its a Sunday afternoon film, it is better than Walt Disney but it isn't a Hitchcock film, it is what it is, easy to follow, predictable and uneventfully, like moving wallpaper but not the test card.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/03/24

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John P

The utube version is hacked up but in its entirety i think this a great look at the world from a cold warrior perspective and what governments went through to defend themselves. There are bits of historical idealogy everywhere and if one views things in the context of a bigger setting this is really exceptional. It is not CGI or comic book tripe. Take it for what it is worth, a learning experience on several levels.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/11/24

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Mark B

The only interesting thing about this movie is the bomb implanted in Peck's skull was used in Escape from New York to much better effect.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

11/12/23

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Steve D

Kind of dry but fairly effective.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

07/29/23

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deke p

1969! Powerfully dramatizes Mao's CHINESE COMMUNIST totalitarianism, & the RED GUARDS mindless 'intolerance' of dissent. Reminds us of our own leftists 'CANCEL CULTURE' today. Good story, except for the unrealistic 'action' where Peck seems to almost fight of the Red Army to escape. Never saw it until now, 9.24.21, on TV.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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bill t

Not very interesting and plenty of talk, but no action. It does pick up for it's climax, but then it gets chatty again (and some scene chewing) again. Could have been good, instead, it's a mess.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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J. Lee Thompson

Director

Gregory Peck

John Hathaway

Anne Heywood

Kay Hanna

Arthur Hill

Shelby

Alan Dobie

Benson

Conrad Yama

The Chairman

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Synopsis

American scientist John Hathaway (Gregory Peck) goes to Communist China on a mission to steal a formula for an experimental agricultural enzyme with enormous practical benefits. Those in charge of the mission implant a microchip in his brain that will allow him to communicate with them. However, Hathaway is unaware that the device monitors his activities -- including playing ping-pong against the Chairman (Conrad Yama) -- and can be activated to kill him if his mission doesn't succeed.

Director: J. Lee Thompson
Screenwriter: Ben Maddow
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (DVD): Nov 7, 2006
Runtime: 1h 42m