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

Roy Jenson (I)'s name is misspelled as Roy Jensen in the end credits.

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Goofs

While the sergeant is turning the brake wheel on the caboose in closeups, in longer shots as the cars pass, there is nobody on either the front or rear platform of the caboose.

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Quotes

John Deakin: Dr. Molineaux is dead, two of the Major's best officers are missing, and we can't get through to Myrtle... Nobody heard anything, nobody saw anything, and nobody knows anything. It can only get better.
Gov. Richard Fairchild: Well, maybe they were accidents after all. And we just might have seen the end of it.
[5 seconds later, another fatal 'accident' occurs]

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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

Finally, someone read the book BEFORE making the movie!

Alistair MacLean has always been one of my favorite authors, dating back to my high-school days in the mid-'60s. He has written many outstanding books, and many films have been made from them. Too many times, however, the title is the only thing that remains the same.

Not in this case, however. Either MacLean himself was involved with this film, or the director actually read the book first before starting, as this film is faithful to the book. A rarity indeed.

Details

Official Sites:

MGM

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 December 1975 (Finland)

Also Known As:

Nevada 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