The Grey Fox (1982)

Director:

Phillip Borsos

Writer:

John Hunter (writer)

Release Date:

18 March 1983 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Western

Tagline:

The robber who'll steal your heart [UK Video]

Plot:

When an aging, but gentlemanly stagecoach robber is released from prison, he decides to go to Canada to become a train robber.

Plot Keywords:

Train | Canada | Train Robber | Ex Convict | Based On Fact

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 11 wins & 6 nominations

Cast

Richard Farnsworth	...	Bill Miner / George Edwards
Jackie Burroughs	...	Katherine 'Kate' Flynn
Ken Pogue	...	Jack Budd, Hotel Manager
Wayne Robson	...	Shorty (William) Dunn
Timothy Webber	...	Sergeant Fernie
Gary Reineke	...	Pinkerton Detective Seavy
David Petersen	...	Louis Colquhoun
Don MacKay	...	Al Sims, Household Goods Salesman on Train
Samantha Langevin	...	Jenny, Bill's Sister
Tom Heaton	...	Tom
Jim McLarty	...	Accomplice (as James McLarty)
George Dawson	...	Accomplice
Ray Michal	...	Gunsmith
Stephen E. Miller	...	Danny Young
David L. Crowley	...	Engineer (Oregon)

Runtime:

110 min | Argentina:110 min (Buenos Aires Festival Internacional de Cine Independiente)

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Finland:S | USA:PG | Argentina:Atp

Filming Locations:

Cheakamus Canyon, British Columbia, Canada

Company:

Mercury Pictures

Goofs:

Factual errors: The intro cards state that in 1866, "the gentleman bandit" began robbing stage coaches at sixteen and committed twenty six robberies over eighteen years. Later, the card state that in 1901, he was released from prison after 33 years in San Quentin. 1901-33=1868. 1866+18=1884. (The implication is that those 33 years were consecutive and unbroken.)

Movie Connections:

Referenced in South of Heaven, West of Hell (2000)

Farnsworth: A Great Choice For The Role

What's not to like about Richard Farnsworth? He was one of the few actors that received nothing but compliments during his acting days, an extremely likable "old man." Hey, few people every remember seeing this guy as anything but old, since he spent his younger days as a stuntman, rather than as an actor.

So, he was a very good choice to portray a likable thief: Bill Miner, the last of the stagecoach and train robbers. "The Gentleman Bandit," I believe, was his label. This is a nice low-key adventure, with almost no bad language and the British Columbia and Washington state scenery is absolutely gorgeous. It would look great on widescreen DVD. What's the holdup? (pun intended)

The only bad news of this tale is the usual filmmakers' twisted message to root for a man who simply was a crook, nothing else. The film also - especially to get the younger audience - needs more action. It will be too slow for them, but I liked it, if for no other reason that I can listen to Farnsworth's voice all night. What a "cool" guy he was, and it''s always a pleasure to see him on screen.