The Grey Fox (1982)

Director:

Phillip Borsos

Writer:

John Hunter (written by)

Release Date:

18 March 1983 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | 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 | Color In Title | Ex Convict

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 12 wins & 7 nominations

Cast

Richard Farnsworth	...	Miner
Jackie Burroughs	...	Kate
Ken Pogue	...	Jack Budd
Wayne Robson	...	Shorty
Timothy Webber	...	Fernie
Gary Reineke	...	Detective Seavey
David Petersen	...	Louis Colquhoun
Don MacKay	...	Al Sims (as Don Mackay)
Samantha Langevin	...	Jenny
Tom Heaton	...	Tom
Jim McLarty	...	Accomplice (as James McLarty)
George Dawson	...	Accomplice
Ray Michal	...	Gunsmith
Stephen E. Miller	...	Danny Young
David L. Crowley	...	Oregon Train Crew - Engineer
David McCulley	...	Oregon Train Crew - Fireman
Garry Chalk	...	Oregon Train Crew - Mail Clerk (as Gary Chalk)
Jack Leaf	...	Shopkeeper
Isaac Hislop	...	Town Boy
Sean Sullivan	...	Newspaper Editor
Bill Murdoch	...	Mission Train Crew - Engineer
Jack Ackroyd	...	Mission Train Crew - Fireman
Nicholas Rice	...	Mission Train Crew - Mail Clerk
Frank C. Turner	...	Hotel Clerk (as Frank Turner)
Bill Meilen	...	Ducks Train Crew - Engineer
David Raines	...	Ducks Train Crew - Fireman
Paul Coeur	...	Ducks Train Crew - Conductor (as Paul Jolicoeur)
Mel Tuck	...	Ducks Train Crew - Baggage Clerk
Peter John	...	Sergeant Wilson
Paul Whitney	...	The Mountie
David Ackridge	...	The Mountie
Murray Ord	...	The Mountie
Tom Glass	...	The Mountie
Antony Holland	...	Judge (as Anthony Holland)
Jon York	...	Prison Guard
John Owen	...	Piano Player
Lisa Westman	...	Farm Girl

Directed by
Phillip Borsos

Writing credits
John Hunter		(written by)

Produced by
John Board	....	associate producer
Phillip Borsos	....	co-producer
David Brady	....	executive producer (as David H. Brady)
Barry Healey	....	co-producer
Peter O'Brian	....	producer

Original Music by
Michael Conway Baker		(original score composed by)

Cinematography by
Frank Tidy		(photographed by)

Film Editing by
Frank Irvine

Production Design by
Bill Brodie

Art Direction by
Ian D. Thomas		(as Ian Thomas)

Set Decoration by
Kimberley Richardson

Costume Design by
Christopher Ryan

Makeup Department
Ilona Herman	....	makeup supervisor
Phyllis Newman	....	makeup artist

Production Management
Paul L. Tucker	....	production manager (as Paul Tucker)

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
John Board	....	assistant director
Mary Eilts	....	second assistant director
Wendy McGillivray	....	trainee assistant director
Tom Rowe	....	third assistant director

Art Department
Robin Arkell	....	storyboard artist
Jim Armstrong	....	carpenter
Jeremy Borsos	....	art department assistant
Brian Collins	....	carpenter
Annmarie Corbett	....	set dresser (as Anne Marie Corbett)
Susan High	....	lead painter
Richard Humenick	....	scenic artist
Charles Leitrants	....	construction coordinator
Christine MacLean	....	assistant set dresser
John G. Miller	....	carpenter (as John Miller)
Michael Ritter	....	draftsman
Grant Swain	....	property master
David Tait	....	carpenter
Bill Thumm	....	property buyer
Kaija Vogel	....	art department assistant (as Kaija)
Thom Wells	....	lead carpenter
David Willson	....	assistant art director
Paul Willson	....	carpenter

Sound Department
Alison Clark	....	sound editor
B.J. Clayden	....	boom man
Rod Crawley	....	sound effects editor
Tony Currie	....	dialogue editor (as Anthony Currie)
Austin Grimaldi	....	sound re-recording
Joe Grimaldi	....	sound re-recording
Catherine Hunt	....	assistant dialogue editor
Andy Malcolm	....	foley artist
Peter McBurnie	....	foley artist (as Peter McBernie)
Michele Moses	....	assistant sound editor
Marta Nielsen	....	assistant effects editor
Bruce Nyznik	....	sound designer
Bruce Nyznik	....	supervising sound editor
Philip Rogers	....	sound recordist
Peter Thillaye	....	sound effects editor
Gord Thompson	....	assistant effects editor (as Gordon Thompson)
Lise Wedlock	....	sound assistant: foley artist
Rob Young	....	sound recordist

Special Effects by
Rex Cooley	....	best boy special effects
John Thomas	....	special effects
Cliff Wenger	....	special effects

Stunts
Robert Milicevic	....	stunt performer

Camera and Electrical Department
John S. Bartley	....	gaffer (as John Bartley)
John L. Brown	....	dolly grip (as John Brown)
Dan Conrad	....	additional photography
Chris Helcermanas-Benge	....	still photographer (as Chris Helcermenas-Benge)
Phil Hersee	....	still photographer (as Phillip Hersee)
Tim Hogan	....	key grip
James L. Hurford	....	grip (as Jim Hurford)
Bruce Ingram	....	assistant cameraman
Stephen Jackson	....	generator operator (as Steve Jackson)
John McCallum	....	key focus (as Sandy McCallum)
Peter McLennan	....	second camera operator
Ron Orieux	....	camera operator
Barry Reid	....	best boy grip
Tim Sale	....	additional photography
Jim Shea	....	still photographer
Len Wolfe	....	best boy electrician

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Jane Grose	....	wardrobe mistress
Linda Lee Langdon	....	wardrobe assistant
Gillian McNair	....	seamstress

Editorial Department
Nigel Hollick	....	post-production assistant
Maureen Levitt	....	assistant editor
Ingrid Rosen	....	negative cutting
Bruce Whidden	....	color timer

Music Department
The Chieftains	....	music performers: traditional Irish music
Victor Feldbrill	....	score conductor
David Greene	....	engineer

Transportation Department
Dave Bowe	....	driver (as David Bowe)
Brian Boyer	....	driver
Al Brown	....	driver
George A. Grieve	....	driver captain (as George Grieve)
Scott Irvine	....	transportation coordinator
Drew Neville	....	driver
Bonnie Reis	....	driver
Rocky Zantolas	....	driver co-captain

Other crew
Patti Allen	....	production coordinator (as Patrice Allen)
Linda Baca	....	assistant: Mercury Pictures
Derek Barker	....	travel
Elizabeth Blomme	....	unit publicist
Richard Cosgrave	....	wrangler
Victoria Emery	....	assistant accountant
Tom Glass	....	head wrangler
Debbie Hlady	....	production office assistant
Dennis Houser	....	wrangler
Doug Lauder	....	wrangler
Kate McBride	....	assistant: Mercury Pictures
Elizabeth Pontsa	....	production accountant
Bonnie Reis	....	chef
Joanne Ryan	....	craft service
Joanne Ryan	....	first aid
Sandra Gould Sale	....	administration: Mercury Pictures
Michael E. Steele	....	unit location manager (as Michael Steele)
Lee Walkling	....	script supervisor

Thanks
Matt Anderson	....	the producers wish to express their appreciation to: for their assistance and involvement in the creation of this picture
Ed Bernston	....	the producers wish to express their appreciation to: for their assistance and involvement in the creation of this picture
Robert G. Crompton	....	the producers wish to express their appreciation to: for their assistance and involvement in the creation of this picture
Bob Culp	....	the producers wish to express their appreciation to: for their assistance and involvement in the creation of this picture
Frank Culp	....	the producers wish to express their appreciation to: for their assistance and involvement in the creation of this picture
Joe Gardner	....	the producers wish to express their appreciation to: for their assistance and involvement in the creation of this picture
Dave Morley	....	the producers wish to express their appreciation to: for their assistance and involvement in the creation of this picture
Struan Robertson	....	the producers wish to express their appreciation to: for their assistance and involvement in the creation of this picture
Robert Sawnson	....	the producers wish to express their appreciation to: for their assistance and involvement in the creation of this picture
Mike Solecki	....	the producers wish to express their appreciation to: for their assistance and involvement in the creation of this picture
D. Bruce Stratton	....	the producers wish to express their appreciation to: for their assistance and involvement in the creation of this picture

Production Companies

• Zoetrope Studios (presents)
• Mercury Pictures (producer)
• Canadian Film Development Corporation (CFDC) (produced with the participation of)
• Famous Players (produced with the participation of)
• David Brady Productions

Distributors

• United Artists Classics (1983) (USA) (theatrical)
• Media Home Entertainment (1983) (USA) (VHS)
• Palace Video (1985) (UK) (VHS)
• Video Treasures (1989) (USA) (video)
• Vídeo Network (????) (Brazil) (VHS)

Other Companies

• Walker-Bowen  casting
• Manta Sound Company  score recorded at
• John Scott Motion Picture Animals  livestock and wagons
• Location Caterers  caterers
• Tom Bongalis  guns
• David Novek & Associates  public relations (as David Novek and Associates)
• Killiam Shows  courtesy of: The Great Train Robbery and Stagecoach Chase
• Province of BC, Ministry of Tourism, Film Promotion Office  the producers wish to express their appreciation to: for their assistance and involvement in the creation of this picture (as The British Columbia Ministry of Tourism Film Promotion Office)
• BC Rail  the producers wish to express their appreciation to: for their assistance and involvement in the creation of this picture (as British Columbia Railway Company)
• Lake Whatcom Railway, The  the producers wish to express their appreciation to: for their assistance and involvement in the creation of this picture
• Railway Appliance Research  the producers wish to express their appreciation to: for their assistance and involvement in the creation of this picture
• Douglas Lake Cattle Company, The  the producers wish to express their appreciation to: for their assistance and involvement in the creation of this picture
• Lummi Indian Band, The  the producers wish to express their appreciation to: for their assistance and involvement in the creation of this picture (as The Lummi Indian Band, Bellingham, Washington)
• Fort Steele Historic Park  the producers wish to express their appreciation to: for their assistance and involvement in the creation of this picture
• City of Cranbrook, B.C., The  the producers wish to express their appreciation to: for their assistance and involvement in the creation of this picture
• Nanaimo Marching Band, The  the producers wish to express their appreciation to: for their assistance and involvement in the creation of this picture
• City of Vancouver, The  the producers wish to express their appreciation to: for their assistance and involvement in the creation of this picture (as The City of Vancouver, B.C.)
• Bellevue Pathé Québec  sound re-recording at (as Bellevue-Pathé Inc.)
• Soundscore Ltd.  post-production sound
• West Coast Film Opticals  titles and opticals
• International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE)  acknowledgment (as I.A.T.S.E.)

Also Known As:

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 | Portugal:M/12

Filming Locations:

Cheakamus Canyon, British Columbia, Canada

Company:

Zoetrope Studios

Trivia:

The prison sentence that Bill Miner (Richard Farnsworth) served in gaol was for thirty-three years.

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:

Features The Great Train Robbery (1903)

Soundtrack:

Invercargill March

Title role in The Grey Fox is one of Richard Farnsworth's most compelling

When Richard Farnsworth died a few years ago, among the films cited were his Oscar-nominated roles in Comes a Horseman and The Straight Story, and his supporting roles in hits like The Natural and Misery. The Grey Fox rarely got a mention which is a shame because it's one of Mr. Farnsworth's most compelling as we follow his portrayal of the real-life stagecoach robber Bill Miner after being freed from jail and his attempts in living a straight life with his sister and her husband. But times have changed the last 33 years and so in the early 20th century, Miner goes back to his old habits and robs trains (he got the inspiration watching The Great Train Robbery), then poses as George Edwards in a British Columbia town with his cohorts in tow. He also later falls for a feminist who takes pictures...I'll stop there and say while Miner does bad things, he gets some admiration for the gentlemanly way he does them, hence his "gentleman bandit" moniker. If you're interested in western rarities and are a fan of Farnsworth, I highly recommend The Grey Fox.