MovieChat Forums > Three Days of the Condor (1975) Discussion > Why doesn't Joubert wait until Condor re...

Why doesn't Joubert wait until Condor returns with lunch, or reschedule?

posted 10 years ago by mcintyro
9 replies | jump to latest

Have seen this fine film many times. First time I noticed that before Joubert carries out the mission in the beginning, he sees Condor leave the headquarters to get lunch.

Now I know that he may not know where Condor is going or whether he will return, but why not at least a little while for Condor to come back or reschedule the hit.

That way he would not owe a body or fear of being hit himself for not completing the full contract.

[–] azarr2 10 years ago

He doesn't notice him leave. He leaves through a back entrance in the basement so that he doesn't have to walk as far through the rain.

[–] craig-disko 10 years ago

Precisely. Joubert had no idea he'd left. What I find of is that they went in not knowing the personnel count and therefore missing Condor.

[–] !!!deleted!!! (41638798) 10 years ago

Right.

The observer who sat in the car checking off the entire list of names as they entered the building had a complete list, once Condor arrives for work. He then goes to a nearby phone booth and makes a call--presumably to Joubert directly or to somebody who will then phone Joubert with an all systems go message.

They know that the approved entrance and exit being a CIA facility is the front door. So it's easy for them to presume everybody's still in the office.

Therefore, when Condor leaves through the back entrance to scupper off to get lunch, Joubert goes into the hit assuming all of the targets are inside the building.

[–] melinda2001 10 years ago

Still, they could have waited for him. If not in the office than from across the street. Neatness counts.

[–] howard_w13 10 years ago

Still, they could have waited for him. If not in the office than from across the street. Neatness counts.

True; but how long could they have waited for Condor if they didn't even know that he left? There was simply no way to for them to know how long if and when Condor would have returned....

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The movie has a plot hole?!?
EVERY FRIGGIN' MOVIE HAS A FRIGGIN' PLOT HOLE!!!!!

[–] melinda2001 10 years ago

They knew he'd been there and after the deed and counting the bodies they knew they'd missed him. Waiting an hour or so would seem like a good idea. They can give up waiting whenever they feel like it.

[–] lisajohn-4 9 years ago

And get caught while they are waiting around! Despite missing the kill of Condor, a professional would not run the risk. They need to get in, do the job, and get out. These are not soldiers, fighting for God and country. They are professional assassins and would not do anything risky. That's why they try again at the apartment.
Besides, waiting around for Condor would make for a very short and unsatisfying movie!

[–] melinda2001 9 years ago

That's why I said waiting from somewhere nearby and safe, not in the office itself.

You're right of course about the plot. This only shows that the plot was weak. The author needed to find another way to the the desired result in a more believable way. I'm sure you and I could think of a few. Anyway, this is a minor nit compared with the gaping holes found in so many bigger-budget movies.

[–] hisgrandmogulhighness 9 years ago

From what we know, Joubert has no idea what happened to Turner (unless that thing he pulled out of that turnstile was a listening device) . . . perhaps he assumed that good dutiful agent Turner would call in at some point, and at some point Atwood would be alerted, and Turner could be eliminated elsewhere . . .

Was Turner the main target?

There may be other variable involved with all this . . .