Kino Lorber is releasing a number of classic Charles Bronson films and I for one am excited. Some of these have only been released by boutique labels that were charging and arm and a leg for them before removing them from the market completely. Now fans of Bronson, myself among them, can watch them over and over again and can afford to add them to our collection. Like BREAKHEART PASS.
BREAKHEART PASS was a box office failure but it wasn’t because of the content of the film or those behind it. It was based on a novel by Alistair MacLean who had written the novels THE GUNS OF NAVARONE, ICE STATION ZEBRA and WHERE EAGLES DARE, all of which had been turned into successful films. Director Tom Gries after a long time run directing TV series had done WILL PENNY, 100 RIFLES and before this film the successful Bronson picture BREAKOUT. For some reason though fans didn’t flock to this film and it was their loss.
A special train is heading to Fort Humboldt taking medical supplies after and outbreak of diphtheria hits. The train is also taking Nevada Governor Fairchild (Richard Crenna) and his fiancé Marica (Jill Ireland) who also happens to be the daughter of the Fort’s commander. On their journey they make a stop and pick up U.S. Marshall Pearce (Ben Johnson) who is escorting his prisoner John Deakin (Bronson).
But all isn’t as it appears. As the soldiers on the train begin missing or are found killed some of the truth comes out. Deakin’s is actually a U.S. Secret Service agent. And instead of medical supplies the train is carrying weapons intended for a notorious outlaw who sells them to the Indians in return for them allowing to mine on their land. But for this to have taken place someone had to have been in on the conspiracy and switched out the supplies. But who among them is the one responsible?
What makes this movie so enjoyable is that it combines the western with the classic mystery format and combines the two into an incredibly entertaining movies. You’re never quite sure who the good guy is and who is bad. Even the small spoiler I mentioned about Bronson is held back for a while. Some will figure it out, those die-hard mystery fans. But for most this will be an interesting movie that leaves a lot to be deciphered.
By the time this movie was made Bronson was starring in most of his films with his real life wife Ireland. The two of them not only had good chemistry off screen but on as well. All of the movies they did together turned out to be solid films and this one is no exception. There is also a touch of joy to think that by making these movies together they were able to spend time together, time that was cut short by Ireland’s from cancer in 1990 at the age of only 54.
While the movie didn’t do well when released fans still find this film to be yet another great example of why Bronson was such a great movie star. So often critics will slam an actor for not taking chances. Here Bronson stepped away from the shoot ‘em first type action hero for something else. But the critics still didn’t give him the credit he was due. When you look at the career of Bronson you discover that he was indeed a solid actor. Check out his roles in films like MASTER OF THE WORLD, THE DIRTY DOZEN or ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST and you’ll see a craftsman at work.
For now take it upon yourself to pick up any and all of the
Bronson titles being released by Kino Lorber. The quality of the prints they
are releasing is top notch and they deserve credit for that. If for no other
reason the fact that you can now own these movies in such a great format means
you should be adding them to your collection now.
No comments:
Post a Comment