1.10.2010

Breakheart Pass (1975)

Directed by Tom Gries - starring Charles Bronson, Jill Ireland, Ben Johnson, Richard Crenna, Charles Durning, Ed Lauter and Robert Tessier as 'Levi Calhoun'




Based on a novel by Alistair Maclean, this Charles Bronson western plays out like an action packed Agatha Christie story. Set on a train racing through a snowy mountain landscape on it's way to deliver much needed medical supplies for an outpost brought down with diphtheria. But the medicine turns out to be rifles?! And before you know it Charles Bronson is boxing Archie Moore on top of the speeding locomotive, for real!


An excellent supporting cast full of fun character actors. Ed Lauter is great as the straight arrow cavelry Major that assists Bronson in his quest. Richard Crenna is hissable as a crooked governor kissing up on Jill Ireland. Robert Tessier is a brutish beast of a man and steals every scene he's in with his large untamed beard. Although it appears he might have been dubbed, and by Paul Frees no less! But it works, really well. For those that have seen Tessier with Bronson in HARD TIMES know that his real voice sounds closer to that of Curly Howard.

There's tons of scene chewing and everyone acquits themselves nicely, even Jill Ireland. Lot's of fights, espionage, flip-floppin' and adventurous spills! Jerry Goldsmith produces a rousing score that gets the audience properly hopped up and roarin' to go. Beautiful locations and some dangerous real life stunts make this one of my favorite movies of any genre. Not deep or artry or life changing, just a straightforward action/mystery yarn done with great craft and lots of gusto. ALL ABOARD!


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