Just got this on DVD (at last)
The Friends of Eddie Coyle.
Based on the best-selling novel by George V. Higgins, The
Friends of Eddie Coyle chronicles the last days of a weary Boston-based
weapons dealer. Eddie Coyle (Robert Mitchum) doesn't want to serve a
life sentence in prison, so he becomes an informant for both the police
and the treasury department. Coyle is likewise unwilling to give up his
lifestyle, thus he continues his illegal gun-running operation for the
underworld. The mob becomes aware that Eddie is squealing to the cops,
so they send his best friend, Dillon (Peter Boyle), to rub him out.
Dillon compassionately takes Eddie out on the town, treating him to
dinner and a hockey game...then drives to a deserted field to carry out
his orders.