Mastermind is a comedy-thriller film released in 1976, directed by Michael Ritchie and starring Zero Mostel, as the eccentric and delusional police officer, Inspector Hoku Ichihara. The movie follows the inspector as he investigates the theft of a highly advanced robot called Chatze. Chatze was created by a company called Earthquake Data, and was designed to be used in rescue missions in dangerous locations such as mines and collapsed buildings.
The film begins with Inspector Hoku being transferred to the police department's computer division, which he sees as a demotion from his previous life as a samurai warrior. However, he soon gets the chance to prove himself when the Chatze robot is stolen from the Earthquake Data headquarters. Hoku's investigation leads him to a group of criminals who had planned to use the robot's advanced technology for their own profit.
As Hoku pursues the criminals, the movie frequently flashes back and forth between present day and ancient Japan. In Hoku's delusional mind, he sees himself as a great samurai warrior, and these flashback scenes show him battling with other warriors in ancient Japan. Despite his delusions, Hoku's unique approach to detective work ultimately helps him to solve the crime and retrieve the stolen Chatze robot.
The film also features performances by Felix Silla as the robot Chatze, Joanna Barnes as Hoku's ex-girlfriend, and Harry Goz as Hoku's partner, Sergeant Benson. Mastermind received mixed reviews upon release, but has since gained a cult following among fans of quirky comedy and science-fiction films.