people be be too hard on the film . sometimes we should just sit back and enjoy the story without attempt to review it . the whole thing come together when hackman decide not to pull the trigger but his target still go down . then the fun begin a everyone about him also go down . just think jfk and all the people associate in any way with his assassination and who live end abruptly and in questionable way and you will appreciate what be imply in this film . i think it an excellent interpretation of what may well have occur . though the exact story line my not have be follow ( hindsight here after read jim maar crossfire ) but it what be imply that be of interest . i would love to get a copy of it to view it again . in light of what be know today and the domino principle be right on .