Bite the Bullet (1975) 6.7
A group of ex-rough riders, an ex-prostitute and a gunfighter enter a horse race in the desert. Director:Richard BrooksWriter:Richard Brooks |
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Bite the Bullet (1975) 6.7
A group of ex-rough riders, an ex-prostitute and a gunfighter enter a horse race in the desert. Director:Richard BrooksWriter:Richard Brooks |
|
| 0Share... |
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Gene Hackman | ... | ||
| Candice Bergen | ... | ||
| James Coburn | ... | ||
| Ben Johnson | ... | ||
| Ian Bannen | ... | ||
| Jan-Michael Vincent | ... | ||
| Robert Donner | ... | ||
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Jean Willes | ... | |
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Mario Arteaga | ... | |
| Dabney Coleman | ... | ||
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John McLiam | ... | |
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Robert F. Hoy | ... |
Lee Christie
(as Robert Hoy)
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Jerry Gatlin | ... | |
| Sally Kirkland | ... | ||
| Walter Scott | ... |
Steve
(as Walter Scott Jr.)
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At the beginning of the 20th century, a newspaper organizes an endurance horse race : 700 miles to run in a few days. 9 adventurers are competing, among them a woman, Miss Jones, a Mexican, an Englishman, a young cow-boy, an old one and two friends, Sam Clayton and Luke Matthews. All those individualists will learn to respect each other. Written by Yepok
When a newspaper sponsors 700-mile endurance horse race, a group of adventurers is attracted by the grand prize of US$ 2,000.00 for the winner.
Among the participants are the former Rough Rider Sam Clayton (Gene Hackman), who fought in the Spanish-American War, and protects the animals from cruelty; his friend Luke Matthews (James Coburn), who has also fought in the war, and now is a gambler; the ex-prostitute Miss Jones (Candice Bergen) that has a hidden agenda to run the race; a Mexican (Mario Arteaga), who has toothache, and needs the money to help his poor family; the young bully Carboa (Jan-Michael Vincent) that does not respect anybody; the anonymous Mister (Ben Johnson) that wants to be famous; the Englishman Sir Harry Norfolk (Ian Bannen) that has traveled a long distance expecting to win the race.
Along the days of competition, greed and betrayal affect the contestants' performances. But in the end, the survivors learn lessons of friendship and teamwork.
"Bite the Bullet" is an unusual western with a good adventure and interesting characters. Candice Bergen is in the top of her beauty but her character disappoints in the end, double-crossing and causing the death of the participants. Unfortunately the lame conclusion is too dramatic and unreasonable, since in accordance with the competition's rules, each horse plus horseman and gear should not weight more than a certain wight. When Sam and Luke unsaddle their horses and lead them to the finish line, it is not clear whether they have broken any of the foregoing rules and did not win the race. My vote is seven.
Title (Brazil): "O Risco de uma Decisão" ("The Risk of a Decision")