The Last Run (1971)

Director:

Richard Fleischer

Writer:

Alan Sharp (writer)

Release Date:

7 January 1972 (Finland)

Genre:

Action | Drama | Crime | Thriller

Tagline:

In the tradition of Hemingway and Bogart.

Plot:

A former getaway driver from Chicago (George C. Scott) has retired to a peaceful life in a Portugese fishing village...

Plot Keywords:

Driving | Scenery | Police | Escape | Handgun

Cast

George C. Scott	...	Harry Garmes
Tony Musante	...	Paul Rickard
Trish Van Devere	...	Claudie Scherrer
Colleen Dewhurst	...	Monique
Aldo Sambrell	...	Miguel (as Aldo Sanbrell)
Antonio Tarruella	...	Motorcycle Policeman
Robert Coleby	...	Hitch Hiker
Pat Zurica	...	1st Man (as Patrick J. Zurica)
Rocky Taylor	...	2nd Man

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Portuguese | Spanish

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

UK:18 (video rating) (1987) | UK:AA (original rating) | Australia:PG | Finland:K-16 | Norway:16 | Sweden:15 | USA:GP | West Germany:18

Filming Locations:

Nerja, Málaga, Andalucía, Spain

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Trivia:

Star George C. Scott fought with legendary director John Huston during the filming over script rewrites as well as the leading lady, Tina Aumont. After engaging in shouting matches with Scott, Huston quit the film. Fatefully, Aumont was replaced with Trish Van Devere, whom Scott fell in love with and married. Huston was replaced by Richard Fleischer, and the movie bombed both with critics and at the box office.

Goofs:

Incorrectly regarded as goofs: Tony Musante's hair goes from short to long several times during the film. This is because he keeps taking of the curly wig he is supposed to be wearing as a disguise.

Quotes:

Claudie Scherrer: Where is your wife?
Garmes: I don't know. She left shortly after our son died. Said she was going to Switzerland to have her breasts lifted. I thought she meant by surgery.

The Scott Show

I caught this George C Scott vehicle on TCM last night and thought I'd venture forth with a few thoughts about it. The title pretty much covers the the central plot here, you've got George C Scott as an ex-getaway drive who has spent the last nine years trying his hand at retirement in a Portugese fishing village. The first 15 minutes of the film are very economic in the way they set up what is to come and lay out all the necessary background information on this character without it coming over as clunky exposition. His house betrays a life spent not always in solitude, and a visit to a grave tells of a previous tragedy. A post coital conversation with a local hooker allows Scott to demonstrate his intelligence, charm and dissatisfaction with his current lot that has led him to accept this 'one last job'.

The job in question is to ferry to France an escaped convict (Tony Musante) and his girlfriend (Trish Van Devere, later to become Mrs Scott in real life). Cinematic convention tells us that we're not going to be in for a smooth ride. Prior to leaving for the job Scott's character all but tells us that he doesn't expect to come back and wouldn't be altogether fussed if that were the case. It's the last hurrah of a forgotten man, the battle cry of a warrior finding his voice again. Apart from some well shot and staged chase sequences that show the skill of our protagonist, Scott is the main reason to be watching this (see the first look of joy on his face in the entire film as he gets back to doing what he does best). He's a man of integrity and pride but also the ultimate weakness of compassion and love that at once reignites his passion for life whilst putting it in danger.

I wouldn't be altogether surprised if the makers of The Transporter expressed a fondness for this film, as it certainly shares certain baser elements with the later Statham-starrer, but is certainly less one dimensional. As far as performances go this is the Scott show and his supporting act is unfortunately rather less than stellar. I'd recommend it, especially for Scott fans and those that enjoy a good car chase that doesn't feel the need to flip upside down underneath a crane. 7/10