Breakheart Pass (1975)
Genre: Western / Mystery
Duration: 95 minuten
Country:
United States
Directed by: Tom Gries
Stars: Charles Bronson, Ben Johnson and Richard Crenna
IMDb score:
6,7 (10.248)
Releasedate: 9 December 1975
Breakheart Pass plot
"Revenge Mystery Danger Ambush"
A train carrying medical supplies and a small US Army unit travel through the Rocky Mountains to Fort Humboldt, where a serious illness is spreading. Among the passengers are the governor, a priest, a doctor and a few US Marshals, with their prisoner John Deakin. Suddenly someone is killed. Deakin manages to escape and investigates the cause of the murder.
Actors and actresses
Deakin
Pearce
Governor Fairchild
Marica
O'Brien
Major Claremont
Reverend Peabody
Dr. Molyneux
Sgt. Bellew
Rafferty
Reviews & comments
LuukRamaker
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- 2020 messages
- 925 votes
Such a wonderfully old-fashioned train in a beautiful snowy landscape quickly makes a film worth watching. Especially when a mysterious atmosphere is created and a story unfolds during a train journey that lasts for days that is not very simple for a western. Now it is going a bit far to call the script a literary tour de force, but the tension is well contained. Although the film contains one cliché towards the end that apparently could not be completely avoided, Breakheart Pass is a film that is actually difficult to classify under a specific heading. Call it a train western, a snow western or a western mystery, it is certainly not a typical cowboy film. Charles Bronson will never be my favorite leading actor, but he gives a very good role here. He is assisted by his wife and a number of other very good supporting actors (including Ben Johnson, Ed Lauter and David Hiddleston). This makes the film enjoyable and never boring.
Translated from Dutch · View original
Collins
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- 7346 messages
- 4345 votes
The western genre provides the atmospheric setting in this film. The story is actually more of a classic whodunnit. After John Deakin (Charles Bronson) is overpowered in a western-worthy manner and held in an army train, which chugs through a fantastic backdrop in the form of a snowy mountain landscape, the story takes a detective turn.
Charles Bronson. Delicious. When I recently watched The White Buffalo (1977), I realized that it must have been at least ten years since I last watched a saw a movie with Bronson. I think that was Bronson as Paul Kersey in Death Wish 4: The Crackdown (1987). A film that you can rightly call a huge letdown. Now only the first part of that series is okay. With the remaining parts the level continues to decline per part. In any case, Breakheart Pass is a lot better. So still happy with the renewed acquaintance.
Not that Breakheart Pass is a great movie. Not that. The camera work doesn't stop there. The camera records the event in a rather boring and businesslike manner. Apart from a few exciting outdoor shots, the scenes are not directed very dynamically. The scenes on the train look quite stark
Then the story. This is rather crude and sometimes very much depends on coincidental events. There is no real suspense. Still, the film is generally pleasant to watch and certainly exciting at times. The latter is mainly due to hectic revivals and to Bronson, who is delightfully stoic, omniscient and decisive. The other big names in the film do not stand out exceptionally.
Breakheart Pass is not a real western, but rather a crudely played out whodunnit in a western setting. Very solidly staged. The story is a bit unimaginative in places, but quite fun.
Translated from Dutch · View original
AngelicV
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- 949 messages
- 1138 votes
Routinely made "western" with all the trimmings, Indians, the cavalry, villains, etc. Mediocre dialogues from Alistair McLean alternated with action. Whodunit ultimately turns out to be a tangle of action. Bronson reprises his role as we know it. Furthermore, remarkably cast Edddy Little Sky, why is he sticking his arm out next to the train? Jill Ireland fits in with the story, there is usually 1 female co-star in films of that time.
Translated from Dutch · View original
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