Breakout (1975)

Breakout is a cool Charles Bronson action film. Bronson plays a mechanic who is hired by a woman to rescue an American who is serving time in a Mexican prison. Robert Duvall, John Huston (in one or two scenes) and Randy Quaid are the male supporting cast. Jill Ireland and Sheree North are the sex objects to be groped and shared by the men (Bronson is involved in two love triangles). The title scene set to a playful score by Jerry Goldsmith is very impressive. But then the film slows down with Jill Ireland (who plays the jailed Robert Duvall's wife) trying to save her husband. But things pick up after the beer guzzling Bronson makes an appearance. The action scenes with the helicopter were good but not spectacular. Mexicans are portrayed as complete idiots. The actor who played Bronson's helicopter coach and the scenes with him and Bronson were amusing. So were the scenes with Bronson and Shirlee North's husband. Tarantino might have borrowed the coffin scene in KILL BILL 2 from this film and not SPOORLOOS as widely believed.The ending was very very violent with an airplane smashing into the villain who was fighting with Bronson on the tarmac.People in the 70s could look forward to watching cool, badass and provocative action films like Breakout. We are reduced to watching SPIDERMAN and AVENGERS. I bet this film looks great on Blu ray. The DVD I watched was just about OK in terms of picture quality.(7/10)

Breakout (1975) ** 1/2 (out of 4) Jay Wagner (Robert Duvall) is convicted of a murder he didn't commit because his evil father-in-law (John Huston) wants him out of the way. His wife Ann (Jill Ireland) decides to try and get him out by going to the tough Nick Colton (Charles Bronson). Nick agrees to take the job and must find a way to break into a Mexican prison and get the husband out.BREAKOUT sounds like an exciting and fun movie but sadly it's pretty flawed and the end result isn't nearly as good as one would have hoped. It's really too bad because you've got a story that was based on a true story and you've got a terrific cast yet the screenplay is somewhat all over the place and even worse is the direction by Tom Gries as it is pretty laid back and there's really not too much style on display.What keeps the film slightly entertaining are the actors. This here is a rather interesting role for Bronson because he's playing the typical tough guy that his fans love but there's another side to this character as he's really a happy-go-lucky type of person. There are countless scenes throughout the movie where Bronson is smiling and having a good time, which is something we don't usually get to see the actor do. I actually thought it was a fine performance and yes it was interesting and fun getting to see him smile.The supporting players have some very recognizable names starting off with Duvall. The screenplay really doesn't do too much with his character because most of the time when we see him he's either in a hospital bed or attacking Ireland. As far as Ireland goes, she too is better than normal here as she does a nice job playing the concerned wife. It was fun seeing Huston in his small role, although, once again, the screenplay really doesn't do much for his character. You've also got Randy Quaid and Sheree North adding some entertainment value.The film's biggest handicap other than the screenplay is the fact that it's just not all that intense. The film takes a good forty-minutes or so to get started and then from here you're basically entertained because of the cast but there's just not enough action, thrills or adventure here. The most memorable thing about the picture happens towards the end when one man meets a plane in a way you wouldn't want to.

"Breakout" is far and away one of the most fun movies ever to showcase Charles Bronson, and the star is in excellent form here, delivering one of his most animated and engaging performances, even showing off some comedic chops. He plays Nick Colton, a carefree bush pilot in Mexico. He's hired by Ann Wagner (Jill Ireland) to try to help her husband Jay (Robert Duvall) escape from prison; Jay was framed for murder by his scheming grandfather Harris (John Huston), who wanted to get his grandson out of his hair. After two of his escape plans go awry, Nick vows that he will succeed in this endeavour. He's helped by friends such as "Hawk" Hawkins (Randy Quaid) and Myrna (Sheree North), the sultry wife of Nicks' lawman associate Spencer (Roy Jenson). Very well shot in Panavision at striking French and Spanish locations, "Breakout" is a very agreeable diversion, with capable direction by Tom Gries, who would re-team with Bronson for "Breakheart Pass" the following year. Part of what makes it so appealing is the healthy amount of comedy and seeing the iconic cinema tough guy play a more lighthearted role than usual. As one can see, he's ably assisted by a strong supporting cast. Duvall is quite low key in the role of the frame-up victim, while Quaid offers a fairly restrained performance as the sidekick. Ireland is lovely as always and she and real- life husband Bronson set off some believable sparks together. Huston is delicious although he's also a little under utilized; the fact that his character never gets a good payoff unfortunately detracts a little from the overall satisfaction that the movie provides. North provides delectable eye candy, and the cast also includes Emilio Fernandez, Paul Mantee, Alan Vint, Alejandro Rey, and Sidney Clute. This may not have that many action sequences, but this really is more of a drama than anything, and what action there is, is expertly done, with splendid aerial photography. It also isn't particularly violent EXCEPT for one very nasty comeuppance for Harris's villainous acquaintance. Worth noting are the typically exceptional score by Jerry Goldsmith, the priceless scene of seeing Randy Quaid in drag as a Mexican prostitute, and the fact that this was actually inspired by a true story. This may not compare with the best films from Bronsons' filmography, but it's still solidly entertaining and does deserve to be better known. Seven out of 10.

Definitely it isn't a great movie. And due to its cinematography, music, and star, it's saved from being a weak one. It wanted to be the entertaining B movie. But many hindrances were in the way.First off why Duvall was framed by his grandfather, what could be the naughty thing he did to deserve being a prisoner ? The relationship between the lead and that prisoner's wife was so bland. No love, or anything like it, was produced between them, which left the movie somewhat spiritless, and deprived it of being anyway emotional or touchy. The first breakout's plan was whether the stupidest in history, or the scriptwriter dared to put it without completing writing it ! So we had Randy Quaid in drag. He went into the prison.. TO DO WHAT EXACTLY ??!! Was he going to seduce the men till the target, Robert Duvall, is out ? Or was he supposed to alter the clothes with him, hence Duvall might get out as the woman ?! (something this movie sorrowfully didn't achieve !), but even if; how Quaid himself would go out then ?! The matter of Bronson as a suddenly perfect pilot is beyond me, he was that goofy who couldn't stand 2 days in training ! His moment counting in it; was comedic more than thrilling. And can anybody tell me what kept all of those prisoners away from getting into the helicopter ?!!John Huston is totally wasted in a strange way. Yes, for everybody didn't recognize him; he was the one sitting in a lavish office who appears every couple of scenes to tell the news bulletin ! Jill Ireland has nothing to make you attracted to her. And she looked so taking care of her looks for a distressed wife ! Duvall hammed it up like he never did. He took the job so seriously or he was truly sick, anyway I can safely say that it's where Bronson acted better than Duvall (OH MY GOD !). The 53 year old Bronson displayed a rare sense of humor and lightness. That gave him a kind of credibility, away from his trademark STONY performance and pronunciation. He mastered that clumsy gold-digger cowboy. The movie is good looking. It has bright image and fervent music. The technique's elements could form an entertaining frame, as if the average chocolate is dazzlingly covered.While nothing can deny how (Breakout) is brittle at heart, it mirrors – at its time – a true (Breakout), not from the prison of the everyday life only, but from the 1970s cinema as well, which used to be coarsely realistic, mental, and full of anti-heroes. Now we have the amusing action again, with no inner conflicts or unhappy ending. It's the lovely time as flat as ever, done outwardly wonderful. You read that it was the first major studio movie to be released in the now-common saturation pattern; debuting at over 1000 movie theaters simultaneously with 1300 prints in the USA, coupled with 17000 advertising radio spots. The Columbia studio claimed that this was "the most spectacular saturation blitz of any motion picture". Soon after, this wide release method would be used for Jaws (1975). And needless to remind you that (Jaws) would define the blockbuster as we know it to date. In 1981, (Heaven's Gate)'s historical fiasco declared the "New Hollywood" dead. That "New" one was built on the shoulders of the independent or semi-independent cinema of the 1960s end, yet produced by the major studios to keep up with the rising different taste and the hip groovy youth. Clearly, after some years later, the need for the old Hollywood was pressing, yet with another more profitable system. Though, in that "Breakout" you can find values related with the New Hollywood : the not too handsome lead, a bit of nudity, profanity, and shooting mostly outdoors.Just for Bronson's fans to have a great time. As for me, I have a great time already with else, more perfect, entertaining movies.