The Chase (1966)

The escape of Bubber Reeves from prison affects the inhabitants of a small Southern town.

Director:

Arthur Penn

Writers:

Horton Foote (based on the novel and play "The Chase"), Lillian Hellman (screenplay)

Stars:

Marlon Brando, Jane Fonda, Robert Redford

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Marlon Brando	...	Calder
Jane Fonda	...	Anna
Robert Redford	...	Bubber
E.G. Marshall	...	Val Rogers
Angie Dickinson	...	Ruby Calder
Janice Rule	...	Emily Stewart
Miriam Hopkins	...	Mrs. Reeves
Martha Hyer	...	Mary Fuller
Richard Bradford	...	Damon Fuller
Robert Duvall	...	Edwin Stewart
James Fox	...	Jason Rogers (Jake)
Diana Hyland	...	Elizabeth Rogers
Henry Hull	...	Briggs
Jocelyn Brando	...	Mrs. Briggs
Katherine Walsh	...	Verna Dee

Storyline

Most everyone in town thinks that Sheriff Calder is merely a puppet of rich oil-man Val Rogers. When it is learned that local baddie Bubber Reeves has escaped prison, Rogers' son is concerned because he is having an affair with Reeves' wife. It seems many others in town feel they may have reasons to fear Reeves. Calder's aim is to bring Reeves in alive, unharmed. Calder will have to oppose the powerful Rogers on one hand and mob violence on the other, in his quest for justice.

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Plot Keywords:

escaped convict | sheriff | manhunt | assault on police officer | racism | 

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Taglines:

A breathless, explosive story

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

Passed

Did You Know?

Trivia

Paul Williams thought this movie would be his big break, but after working on the film for three months, he had just a small part.

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Goofs

At approximately 34:41 (Netflix running time), just after the exterior party sequence begins, there is a two-shot of, left to right, Sheriff Calder (Marlon Brando) and Ruby Calder (Angie Dickinson). A few minutes later (38:10) when Val Rogers (E.G. Marshall) approaches Sheriff Calder and Ruby Calder, seated at the same table, Angie Dickinson is seated on the left and Marlon Brando is seated on the right.

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Quotes

Val Rogers: Bubber, let Jake walk forward. And if he's all right, I'll give you my car and see that you get out of here without anyone bothering you.
Charlie 'Bubber' Reeves: He can do that?
Jason 'Jake' Rogers: Yeah. He can do that.
Charlie 'Bubber' Reeves: Huh! What a world.

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Connections

Featured in Paul Williams Still Alive (2011)

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Soundtracks

One Day Soon

User Reviews

Brando is terrific in this forgotten Arthur Penn movie.

I was interested to watch 'The Chase' for three reasons. First Brando. Brando is regarded by most movie fans as one of the greatest actors of all time, but people usually only mention a handful of his films - 'A Street Car Named Desire', 'On The Waterfront', 'The Godfather', 'Last Tango In Paris' and 'Apocalypse Now'. Without a doubt they are all fine movies but what about his equally worthy performances in his lesser known films (e.g. 'One-Eyed Jacks', and 'Burn!')? Secondly, Arthur Penn. An extremely underrated director in my opinion, especially for his almost forgotten 'Mickey One' and 'Night Moves'. Thirdly, the first rate supporting cast which includes Robert Redford, Robert Duvall, E.G. Marshall, James Fox, Jane Fonda, Angie Dickinson and Clifton James. Apparently there were lots of behind the scenes problems with this movie, but despite a few flaws it's definitely worth watching. The sexual and racial themes were pretty daring for the mid-60s, and while I can see what some people are saying about its "soap" feel, it's quite compelling. Brando plays a small town farmer turned sheriff who is despised by many of his contemporaries because they think he is the puppet of the local millionaire Val Rogers (Marshall). Rogers' son Jake (Fox) is having an affair with a local woman (Fonda) who is married to a convict Bubba Reeves (Redford). Bubba escapes from prison and an innocent bystander is killed by his fellow escapee. Bubba initially plans on heading to Mexico, but he desperately returns to his home town for help, not realizing that he is being hunted as a murderer. News of his escape causes tensions to explode in the town, with catastrophic results for everyone. Brando is terrific throughout, and reason enough to watch this, but Fonda is surprisingly good, Robert Duvall is memorable as a cuckold, and character actor Clifton James ('Cool Hand Luke', 'Live And Let Die', 'The Last Detail') almost steals the movie as a hot headed drunken redneck. 'The Chase' may not be as great as it could have been, but I still think it deserves more attention than it gets. Brando fans shouldn't overlook this one!

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Movie Channel [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

18 February 1966 (USA)

Also Known As:

Sam Spiegel's Production The Chase

Filming Locations:

20th Century Fox Ranch, Malibu Creek State Park - 1925 Las Virgenes Road, Calabasas, California, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$5,000,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Horizon Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

134 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1