The Gauntlet (1977)

A hard but mediocre cop is assigned to escort a prostitute into custody from Las Vegas to Phoenix, so that she can testify in a mob trial. But a lot of people are literally betting that they won't make it into town alive.

Director:

Clint Eastwood

Writers:

Michael Butler, Dennis Shryack

Stars:

Clint Eastwood, Sondra Locke, Pat Hingle

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Clint Eastwood	...	Ben Shockley
Sondra Locke	...	Gus Mally
Pat Hingle	...	Josephson
William Prince	...	Blakelock
Bill McKinney	...	Constable
Michael Cavanaugh	...	Feyderspiel
Carole Cook	...	Waitress
Mara Corday	...	Jail Matron
Doug McGrath	...	Bookie (as Douglas McGrath)
Jeff Morris	...	Desk Sergeant
Samantha Doane	...	Biker
Roy Jenson	...	Biker
Dan Vadis	...	Biker
Carver Barnes	...	Bus Driver
Robert Barrett	...	Paramedic

Storyline

In Phoenix, Arizona, alcoholic and mediocre Detective Ben Shockley (Clint Eastwood) is assigned by Chief Commissary Blakelock (William Prince) to bring witness Gus Mally (Sondra Locke) from Las Vegas, Nevada for a minor trial. Shockley travels to Las Vegas and finds that Gus Mally is an aggressive and intelligent prostitute with a college degree and she tells him that the odds are against her showing up in court. Shockley learns that she will actually testify against a powerful mobster, and the mafia is chasing them, trying to kill them both. He calls Blakelock and requests a Police escort from Phoenix to protect them. But soon, he discovers that someone is betraying him in the Police Department. Now, Shockley and Malley hijack a bus and Shockley welds thick steel plates and transforms the cabin in an armored bus trying to reach the Forum. But they will need to drive through a gauntlet of Police Officers armed with heavy weapons.

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Plot Keywords:

road movie | cowboy hat | motorcycle chase | tough guy | one against many | 

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Taglines:

Clint Eastwood is the man in the middle of The Gauntlet

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

Shooting in the Nevada desert, Clint Eastwood happened to spot a lethal-looking but harmless King snake and tried to share his discovery with Sondra Locke, but she balked at first. "I did the typical thing of squealing and running", Sondra recalled, "but Clint said: 'Sondra, look how beautiful it is!' So I looked and it had gorgeous markings. Before I knew it, it was climbing all over me, and it seemed perfectly natural." Clint returned the King to the desert.

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Goofs

Phoenix is only five hours away from Las Vegas. The drive to there would have been faster and more direct than any train trip would have been.

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Quotes

Ben Shockley: [at loggerheads with her as usual] Shut up.
Gus Mally: Never seen a cop feeling sorry for himself before. Mind if I watch?
Ben Shockley: For 2c and a stick of gum, I'd kick the shit out of you.
Gus Mally: Oh, whatever gets you off, butch.
Ben Shockley: After I was through, where would I leave the $20?
Gus Mally: I don't want your money, Shockley. I love you for your mind.
Ben Shockley: [slaps her brutally, gets kicked securely right between his legs, gasping, lunging at her] You son of - -
[she yelps, darts off]
Gus Mally: [coming back while he is bent over forward] Sorry. Just had to jog ...
[...]

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Crazy Credits

A disclaimer at the end reads: "Law enforcement procedures depicted in this film do not necessarily represent those of any law enforcement agency mentioned herein."

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Alternate Versions

Back in 1978 Norwegian cinema version was cut to get an 16 rating, later video rental version and DVD version are uncut.

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Connections

Spoofed in The Boondocks: Freedom Ride or Die (2014)

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Soundtracks

Just A Closer Walk with Thee
(uncredited)
Traditional

User Reviews

This movie has great action for a 70s film

The Gauntlet is a story is pure courage shown on behalf of Clint Eastwood. Also,his directing talents have not gone astray. The film centers around a police detective named Ben Shockeley,who is transferring a prisoner who was with the Mafia. However,the police know of the close bond he has with the prisoner and send out a bunch of their forces to stop him. Shockley eventually crosses paths with renegade bikers,police crooks,and more,with the story eventually finding him driving an armored bus through town to City Hall with millions of police shooting at the bus. I think Clint did a great job in hiring Annie Pearl Curtis as the stunt driver for the bus.She did all the steering and driving through the streets. She's currently a bus driver in Alachua County,FL. Bus 2306,of course. Unfortunalty,this movie was her first and last performance. She's now taking it easy and doing her duty. Overall,the action is great and the movie is worth seeing.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 December 1977 (USA)

Also Known As:

Gauntlet

Filming Locations:

Florence, Arizona, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$5,500,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$26,414,658

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$26,414,658

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros., The Malpaso Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

109 min

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1