The Hunter (1980)

Director:

Buzz Kulik

Writers:

Christopher Keane (book) and
Ralph Thorson (novel) ...

Release Date:

1 August 1980 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Biography | Thriller

Tagline:

He's not as fast as he used to be... That's what makes him human. He's a bounty hunter... And that's what makes him dangerous.

Plot:

The story of professional bounty hunter Ralph "Papa" Thorson.

Plot Keywords:

Bounty Hunter | Skip Tracer | Fainting | Dynamite | Dysfunctional Marriage

Cast

Steve McQueen	...	Ralph 'Papa' Thorson
Eli Wallach	...	Ritchie Blumenthal
Kathryn Harrold	...	Dotty
LeVar Burton	...	Tommy Price
Ben Johnson	...	Sheriff Strong
Richard Venture	...	Spota
Tracey Walter	...	Rocco Mason
Thomas Rosales Jr.	...	Bernardo (as Tom Rosales)
Teddy Wilson	...	Winston Blue (as Theodore Wilson)
Ray Bickel	...	Luke Branch
Bobby Bass	...	Matthew Branch
Karl Schueneman	...	Billie Joe
Margaret Mary O'Hara	...	Child on Subway (as Margaret O'Hara)
James Spinks	...	Angry Car Owner
Frank Delfino	...	Poker Player

Runtime:

97 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:12 | Singapore:PG | West Germany:16 (f) | Australia:M | Finland:K-16 | France:-12 | Norway:16 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Alexander Hamilton High School - 2955 S. Robertson Blvd., Palms District, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Rastar Pictures

Trivia:

Steve McQueen came up with the idea of going against his famous car racing abilities by portraying Papa Thorson as a terrible driver.

Goofs:

Continuity: In the elevated train sequence, the villain "Bernardo" is shown outside the train car as "papa" is first shown on the roof of the train. In the next cut, he is still inside the train, about to exit.

Quotes:

Ralph 'Papa' Thorson: I don't know what you've been using, Mason, but it's not good for you!

Movie Connections:

Featured in Steve McQueen: The Essence of Cool (2005) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Sempre Libera

McQueen's last

"Tom Horn," Steve McQueen's second to last feature, would have been a more appropriate swan song for the legendary star than this rather ramshackle production, but this action picture is much better than it is usually given credit for. There is an almost TV look about it (the director, Buzz Kulik, has amassed more credits for the small screen than he has in theatrical films), but McQueen, looking for all the world like the picture of health (a year after the film was shot, he'd be dead), is terrific and he makes it all worthwhile. The supporting cast isn't too shabby either, especially Kathryn Harrold as McQueen's woman, and, of course, the always welcome Eli Wallach.