The Designated Victim (1971): cast, story & where to watch
1971 · Film · ★ 6.1
Released in 1971, The Designated Victim is a thriller film directed by Maurizio Lucidi, running about 105 minutes. “It was the perfect crime... but who was the victim?” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. Stefano Argenti, an ambitious advertising executive, meets a curious hippie named Count Mateo Tiepolo and they form a strange bond. Having gained Stefano's confidence, Tiepolo reveals that he wants to kill his domineering brother. He suggests that Stefano carry out the killing and in exchange he offers to murder Luisa, Stefano's wife who is a barrier to his career and his affair with Fabienne, a model. Argenti is more curious than shocked but decides to reject the bizarre offer. However, a short-time later, his wife is strangled to death by an intruder and he becomes the prime suspect. By withholding evidence that could prove his innocence. Mateo blackmails Stefano into keeping his part of the bargain. But there is a twist ...
Who’s in it. The Designated Victim stars Tomas Milian as Stefano Augenti, Pierre Clémenti as Count Mateo Tiepolo, Katia Christine as Fabienne Bélanger and Luigi Casellato as Inspector Finzi, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.1/10, The Designated Victim has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. In US you can rent or buy it from Amazon Video. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Designated Victim page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Designated Victim tend to enjoy The Dark Knight, Pulp Fiction, Parasite and Fight Club.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Designated Victim (1971)?
- In US, The Designated Victim is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is The Designated Victim worth watching?
- The Designated Victim holds an audience score of 6.1 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy thriller. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Designated Victim?
- The Designated Victim stars Tomas Milian, Pierre Clémenti, Katia Christine, Luigi Casellato and Marisa Bartoli.
- When was The Designated Victim released?
- The Designated Victim was released in 1971, with a runtime of about 105 minutes.