Breakheart Pass (1975)

Any film with Charles Bronson, for me, it's a continuous joy, I watch them cyclically with great pleasure. I grew up with this actor, he's very dear to me and it will be how long I will live. I've seen almost all his movies, and all I've seen, I've seen them many times. I think he is also the coolest and very funny actor. Not fun in Charles Chaplin style, more like Buster Keaton style, but without looking for the comic effect at any price. "Breakheart Pass" it's a decent action movie, in which we have several distinguished actors, Ben Johnson in particular, Richard Crenna, Ed Lauter, Charles Durning. Although it has many of the elements of a Western, train, railway, weapons, bad guys, Indians, horses, I would not call it a Western, but Mystery-Thriller. Fantastic Cinematography by Lucien Ballard, great stunts, very inspired music signed Jerry Goldsmith. Tom Gries, very good director, has done with Bronson also "Breakout".

Let's start with the title: "Breakheart Pass." Isn't it wonderful? Short, powerful, almost a bit poetic. Then we have Bronson, the one and only, doing what he used to do. Adding to this, we have Jerry Goldsmith, legendary Jerry, may he rest in peace. Continuing with the landscapes, nicely and atmospherically captured by experienced DP Lucien Ballard, long- time collaborator of directors Henry Hathaway and Sam Peckinpah, among others. All in all, it's a pleasant train ride, with enough of great stuntman work and well-executed practical effects to keep you entertained all through the film.

Story ludicrous, scenery great. The plot is so riddled with total impossibilities I just had to dock several stars. I once heard Alistair MacLean describe himself on TV as a businessman, not a novelist, which explains much. Here, he packs the product with salesmanship, and believability exits the window, in the way that numerous players exit the train. The dialogue is excruciating, but the pictures are nice. The actors, all except Bronson, struggle with the script, but are finally defeated by it. Somehow Bronson gets away with it; he always seems natural, unfazed by the barmy goings-on, taking everything in his stride. All the others are competent performers, and I've seen them in some reasonable films, but they can't really cope here. A ride to pass the time.

Breakheart Pass is directed by Tom Gries and adapted to screenplay by Alistair MacLean from his own novel. It stars Charles Bronson, Ben Johnson, Richard Crenna, Jill Ireland, Charles Durning and Ed Lauter. Music is by Jerry Goldsmith and cinematography by Lucien Ballard.A train apparently loaded with medical supplies is heading through the mountains towards plagued Fort Humboldt. On board is a small U.S. Army unit and an assortment of passengers, all of whom are about to be in the middle of murder, mystery and dastardly plotting.Not exactly loved by the critics of the time, but liked well enough by the paying public, Breakheart Pass is a thoroughly enjoyable movie. True enough to say it's a blend of Murder On The Orient Express and Ten Little Indians, only with a gorgeous Western backdrop, but so what? Just exactly what is wrong with that anyway? The plot is a little too tricky for its own good and characterisations are not rich in detail, but there's so much else to enjoy regardless.It's a fine cast playing a number of desperate/cunning/dubious characters, with Bronson leading from the front at a time when he was hot at the box office. The reasoning behind all the murders, as passengers start getting bumped off one by one, keeps the mystery element strong, while Gries (Will Penny) directs without fuss and filler. The action sequences are impressive (the train roof fight is as great as you have heard it is), with stunt coordinator Yakima Canutt (in his final assignment) once again excelling.Elsewhere, Jerry Goldsmith's score is wonderfully robust and chest thumping, a real triumph from the great man. Ballard (also Will Penny/The Wild Bunch) beautifully captures the snowbound Lewiston locale whilst ensuring the gorgeous Camas Prairie Railroad is a must see for locomotive enthusiasts. All told it's a very entertaining hybrid picture that is well constructed, technically smart and pulsing with good honest intentions. 7/10