Rogue Male (1976)

Directed by: Clive Donner

This review contains a severe Kitty Carnage Warning!

Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains some spoilers for this film!

Synopsis: Sir Robert Hunter (Peter O’Toole) makes an assassination attempt on Hitler and fails but manages to escape the Gestapo and return to England. But with the enemy still in pursuit, Hunter hides himself underground.

Cat Burglar (Scene Stealer): One day when Hunter comes out from his underground lair to dispose of some garbage, he is startled to see a black cat approaching him. “Hello, Puss,” he says in a friendly manner.

Rogue Male - black cat Asmodeus in green woods

Hunter throws the cat some scraps which the cat eagerly devours. Realizing he can’t keep calling the cat Puss, Hunter decides upon the name Asmodeus (he decides this after thinking “dark” which leads him to the demonic name).

Two men, Major Quive-Smith (John Standing) and Muller (Ian East) are on Hunter’s trail. They catch him above ground one night and shoot at him when suddenly two bright eyes appear and Asmodeus screeches. They shoot at the cat which gives Hunter time to get away.

Rogue Male - black cat Asmodeus eyes in dark

Asmodeus visits Hunter frequently and shares his sardines. Without any other companions, Hunter becomes very fond of the cat.

Rogue Male - black cat Asmodeus climbing down tunnel

Rogue Male - black cat Asmodeus in underground shelter

Rogue Male - Robert Hunter Peter O'Toole holding black cat Asmodeus in underground shelter

Unfortunately Quive-Smith and Muller find a discarded sardine can and then hear Hunter calling for the cat which leads them to Hunter’s hiding place.

Rogue Male - black cat Asmodeus in green undergrowth

Rogue Male - black cat Asmodeus entering underground shelter

A standoff begins with Hunter holed up underground and his pursuers waiting for him to give up. Asmodeus tries to reach Hunter but is spotted by the men.

Rogue Male - black cat Asmodeus running away

Kitty Carnage Warning! Sadly the men shoot Asmodeus and push his body down the hole (the shooting is not shown on screen). Hunter holds the deceased cat tenderly. This finally drives him into a state in which he fights back hard! Fortunately we are spared the scene in the original novel in which Hunter dissects Asmodeus to use the cat’s gut string to fashion his weapon of revenge.