Breakheart Pass (1975)

John Deakin is being transported, as a prisoner, on a train with supplies and medicine to Fort Humboldt, Nevada.

Director:

Tom Gries

Writers:

Alistair MacLean (novel), Alistair MacLean (screenplay)

Stars:

Charles Bronson, Ben Johnson, Richard Crenna

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Charles Bronson	...	Deakin
Ben Johnson	...	Marshal Pearce
Richard Crenna	...	Gov. Richard Fairchild
Jill Ireland	...	Marica
Charles Durning	...	O'Brien
Ed Lauter	...	Maj. Claremont
Bill McKinney	...	Rev. Peabody
David Huddleston	...	Dr. Molyneux
Roy Jenson	...	Chris Banion
Rayford Barnes	...	Sgt. Bellew
Scott Newman	...	Rafferty
Robert Tessier	...	Levi Calhoun
Joe Kapp	...	Henry
Archie Moore	...	Carlos
Sally Kirkland	...	Jane-Marie

Storyline

After a sudden outbreak of diphtheria, the authorities dispatch an express train carrying reinforcement soldiers and medical supplies through the frozen West across the Rocky Mountains to aid the remote garrison of Fort Humboldt. Along with the troops, there are also aboard Governor Richard Fairchild; the outpost commander's daughter, Marica; the squad's captain, Major Claremont; the U.S. Marshal, Pearce, and his mysterious prisoner, John Deakin. Indeed, this was supposed to be a routine operation; however, before long, in this confined but well-guarded place, missing officers and unexplained deaths start to shroud the mission with mystery and suspicion, as an unstoppable unknown killer is picking them off one by one. Who is the murderer in their midst?

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Plot Keywords:

suspicion | pass | disease | outbreak | outpost | 

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Taglines:

Breakheart Pass was the end of the line.

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Genres:

Mystery | Western

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Did You Know?

Trivia

Robert Tessier (I) (Levi Calhoun) has been dubbed by another actor.

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Goofs

Both passenger cars have enclosed vestibules (end platforms) and steel underframes, which were not common practice until the early 1900s.

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Quotes

John Deakin: You hurt?
Maj. Claremont: Only my dignity.

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Alternate Versions

The UK cinema version was cut for an 'A' certificate with the removal of a bloody head shooting and a shot of Claremont slashing Fairchild with a sword. Video releases featured the same cut print though DVD versions are fully uncut.

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Connections

Referenced in Call Me Angel, Sir (1976)

User Reviews

enjoyable western

This movie was made at the height of Bronson's career. He had just done Death Wish a year before and Hard Times and Breakout were the other two to follow. It must have made a packet and its easy to see why. A train heading for a destination where Indians await and mysterious murders happening along the way. Many characters make this movie seem alas Hitchcock/Christie and the music by Jerry Goldsmith is one of the best of the 70's. His music captures the mood of every scene whether it be high pitch as the train moves along or dark as the shady characters go about their business in the carriages. Some of the location shooting is breathtaking and i actually felt cold watching it. The acting is solid as expected. Bronson, Crenna, Johnson, Lauter, Durning and even Jill Ireland are all good while not giving much away to their character. The action explodes at the end and gunfire a plenty making this one of the most entertaining action films of that era.

8/10

Details

Official Sites:

MGM

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 December 1975 (Finland)

Also Known As:

Breakheart Pass

Filming Locations:

Williams, Arizona, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Gershwin-Kastner Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (DeLuxe) Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1