Death Hunt (1981)

In 1931 Canada, Yukon trapper Johnson has a feud with a dog owner who later retaliates by publicly accusing Johnson of murder and thus triggering a police manhunt in the wilderness.

Director:

Peter R. Hunt (as Peter Hunt)

Writers:

Michael Grais, Mark Victor

Stars:

Charles Bronson, Lee Marvin, Andrew Stevens

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Charles Bronson	...	Albert Johnson
Lee Marvin	...	Millen
Andrew Stevens	...	Alvin
Carl Weathers	...	Sundog
Ed Lauter	...	Hazel
Scott Hylands	...	The Pilot
Angie Dickinson	...	Vanessa McBride
Henry Beckman	...	Bill Luce
William Sanderson	...	Ned Warren
Jon Cedar	...	Hawkins
James O'Connell	...	Hurley
Len Lesser	...	Lewis
Richard Davalos	...	Beeler (as Dick Davalos)
Maury Chaykin	...	Clarence
August Schellenberg	...	Deak De Bleargue

Storyline

Canada 1931: The unsociable trapper Johnson lives for himself in the ice-cold mountains near the Yukon river. During a visit in the town he witnesses a dog-fight. He interrupts the game and buys one of the dogs - almost dead already - for $200 against the owner's will. When the owner Hasel complains to Mountie Sergeant Millen, he refuses to take action. But then the loathing breeder and his friends accuse Johnson of murder. So Millen, although sympathetic, has to try to take him under arrest - but Johnson defends his freedom in every way possible.

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Plot Keywords:

fur | executor | manslaughter | huntsman | danger | 

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Taglines:

The Saga Of Two Rivals Who Clash As Enemies And Triumph As Heroes.

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Crime | Thriller | Western

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

Hong Kong USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 May 1981 (USA)

Also Known As:

Arctic Rampage

Filming Locations:

Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Golden Harvest Company, Northshore Investments Ltd.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The name of the trading post store was the "W.W. Douglas Trading Post". Goods that the shop stocked according to its exterior sign included traps, guns, groceries, crockery, hardware, ammunition, tobacco, drugs, and medicine.

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Goofs

While Albert Johnson is making his escape through the forest, a modern highway guardrail appears clearly in the background. These guardrails were not in use during the time of this story, and Johnson was supposed to be out in the wilderness.

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Quotes

Sergeant Edgar Millen: Let me give you a little advice, kid. Just throw those law books away, huh? It's better to turn your eyes and let them fight their damn dogs. Damn sight better than them killin' each other.
Constable Alvin Adams: But you can't let people get away with that - makin' up their own laws.
Sergeant Edgar Millen: The only thing to remember is Millen's Law. You want to stay a Mountie, then all you have to do is keep headquarters happy, huh? 'Cause the only time they're unhappy is when there's an unaccounted for killing. So if you account for all ...

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Connections

Referenced in The Illustrated Man with John Solie (2011)

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Soundtracks

My Darling Clementine
(uncredited)
Traditional

User Reviews

Charles Bronson's Golden Harvest film.

Death Hunt (1981) was a strange animal. It was one of the few films that were produced by Raymond Chow and his company Golden Harvest. The movie is loosely based upon an actual incident that happened in Canada. The film is basically a showcase of Charlie Bronson's "wide" range of acting abilities. A trapper has a spat with some locals. When push comes to shove Charlie decides to take matters into his own hands and he has to deal with not only the locals but the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Can Charlie survive the locals, The R.C.M.P. and the elements?

This movie is not a classic but it's a nice little action movie. The violence will satisfy action fans and the photography is excellent. Charlie gives his character some humanity and depth to what would ordinarily be considered a "wild mountain man" he also gets to say some cool lines and blasts away at some local ruffians. Lee Marvin co-stars as the Head Mountie and Carl Weathers and Andrew Stevens co-star as well as his fellow mounties. Angie Dickenson guest stars as well.

Recommended.