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"Borderline", admittedly, is fairly undistinguished in terms of presentation. It's passable as an action flick, and entertains reasonably well for 100 minutes. It purports to shed light on the problem of illegal immigration, which in this day and age is more of a hot button issue than ever before. Characters are mostly thinly drawn, but writer Steve Kline and writer / director Jerrold Freedman aren't completely insensitive to the plight of the good, honest, hard workers like Elena Morales (Karmin Murcelo) who feel they have no choice.

The movie does benefit from giving its star, Charles Bronson (playing Jeb Maynard), a worthy adversary: a particularly ruthless and cold blooded smuggler named Hotchkiss (Ed Harris, in the role that "introduced" him), who sealed his fate when he killed Scooter Jackson (Wilford Brimley), one of Jebs' co-workers. Jeb and Scooter are among those on Border Patrol detail, and when Scooter gets murdered, Jeb takes it upon himself to solve the case. He doesn't trust the ignorant agents of the FBI, who think the whole case is about drugs. Jeb must also break in a new employee, Jimmy Fante (Bruno Kirby), an eager beaver rookie sent from NY.

What gives "Borderline" some stature today is its truly superior supporting cast. Bronson does what he usually does (which, of course, he is very cool at doing), but it's Harris and others that truly bring this to life. You can't go too wrong reading through this cast list: Bert Remsen, Michael Lerner, Kenneth McMillan, Norman Alden, John Ashton, Charles Cyphers, Virgil Frye, Luis Contreras, et al. Although the environment is very much male-dominated, Ms. Murcelo is appealing and touching as the illegal alien who reluctantly provides Jeb with the assistance that he needs.

This is worth noting for a striking music score by Gil Melle and cinematography by the consistently dependable Tak Fujimoto. It *is* enjoyable enough, even if it is formula driven and not too memorable.

Seven out of 10.

Charles Bronson has a long-listed filmography that has undeserved sleepers mixed among the favourites, but also there are quite a few standard vehicle efforts. 'Borderline' figures in that latter pile. Entertaining for the odd 97 minutes, but nothing really there to make it overly memorable. Maybe to see a steely Ed Harris make his first real dent in the major film industry, but other than that there's very little to it.

The subject at hand (illegal immigration of Mexicans crossing over the US border) is very topical and naturally integrated, as Charles Bronson plays the chief border patrol officer. However despite how strong the themes are, it's never truly harrowing and piercing enough in its context to lift it above its average layout. The human drama is too black and white (lacking an emotional punch), but also suffering was that it never gained any real sort of assured brunt when it came to the action. It can get rough, but the thrills are sparsely worked in. But this being the case it doesn't stop it from being effective, just it leaves a no real agreeable imprint.

During the nights Chief Border Patrol Officer Jeb and his overworked men take in many illegal aliens trying to cross over the border. One of his men pulls over a truck, but is shot for it. After the killing of a border patrol officer and a young Mexican boy too. The FBI is brought on to the case and believes it to have something to do with drug running. However Jeb along with the deceased boy's mother go about trying to figure out what really happened and he has his true suspicions.

What I liked was how director Jerrod Freedman gives the film quite an organic look, as the camera follows the action in a documentary-style. Freedman's direction is sturdily serviceable, never forced and lets it breeze by. Gil Mellé's rousing score is on the mark.

The cast do the best with what the script allows. Bronson alone gets through it with such genuine conviction. Harris' on-screen charisma evidently features with a well-comprised performance and Karmin Murcelo gives a wonderfully warm turn of heart-broke. There's an well-fitted supporting cast with Bruno Kerby, Michael Lerner, Wilford Brimley, Kenneth McMillan and Charles Cyphers.

Workable, if indistinguishable.

Don't expect to see Chuck wipe out men by request, shoot punks or grow watermelons. This time Bronson is Jeb Maynard, a tough and experienced chief border patrol officer investigating the cold-blooded murder of one of his men who is just two weeks away from retirement. With the aid of a newly transferred young officer from New York, Maynard tracks down the ruthless killer who is seemingly as elusive as the masterminds behind the crime.

BORDERLINE, a lesser known and often forgotten Bronson's film (at least to me), plays like a pilot episode of a TV series. Not much tension is delivered and not much action either, but this crime drama keeps viewers, especially fans, interested. Unfortunately, the distinctively catchy music during the opening credits is underplayed, which renders some key scenes emotionally bland.

Compared with other Bronson's films - Cold Sweat, White Buffalo, Love and Bullets - which are rather disappointing, BORDERLINE quite delivers the goods. It's always a pleasure for Bronson's fans to see him take up a different role: here we see more of his acting and charisma while less of his machismo (Not saying that this side of Bronson's acting style is unwelcome). During his long acting career, Charles Bronson only had several memorable films which made him an iconic action star. BORDERLINE is certainly not one of them. For his fans, this minor entry is worth watching regardless.

Borderline (1980)

*** (out of 4)

Jeb Maynard (Charles Bronson) works the U.S.-Mexico border and is dealing with a large number of illegal immigrants sneaking into the country. One day his partner is brutally murdered in the line of duty so Jeb sets out to find who's behind it. The Federal boys thinks it's related to drugs but Jef feels there's another motive.

BORDERLINE is a film that never gets discussed. You could gather up a thousand Bronson fans and question them on any movie in his long career and I'd say very few would have even seen this one. It's really too bad because while the movie isn't a complete success it's at least entertaining enough that fans of the actor should give it a chance and especially since it offers him up a different type of role.

I'm going to guess this film isn't all that popular because there's really not much of a violent streak to it. There's one brutal murder shown but it's not overly graphic since it's basically just a shotgun blast. I think the 'revenge' aspect people love with Bronson means they want to see him go out and blow away people and that doesn't happen here. Instead what we're treated to is a low-key movie about a simple man trying to solve a murder. There aren't any shoot outs or a high body count.

I think the film moves a bit too slow for its own good and there's no question that a higher speed would have helped things. Outside of that I think the film is mostly a success. Bronson turns in yet another quiet but good performance and you can't help but think he liked being able to play a more serious part here. The supporting cast includes a nice turn by Bruno Kirby as well as Wilford Brimley in a small bit. Ed Harris really stands out here as the cold-blooded killer. He doesn't say much but you can feel the coldness of his character just by looking at Harris' eyes.

It's doubtful this film will ever have a great number of fans and that's understandable but at the same time more Bronson fans should give it a shot.

I remember when I was in grade 8, people where starting to buy VCRs, and owning one was a big deal. Dad rented one, and we picked out movies. Borderline was one of them, I thought it was pretty cool. Watching this film 19 years later I found it predicable, and a little lame. No way his truck could keep up with a Trans Am on the highway, why did the guy, with the T A, go off road where the truck has the edge. My friend Gord mentioned this, and I thought yeah. Anyways, no surprises here, but watchable. 6/10

Charles Bronson is the officer in charge of a border patrol station in charge of a stretch of territory East of San Diego. He explains to new officer Bruno Kirby that they're catching a hundred people a day and estimate twice as many get through. He asked for a couple of dozen new hands and got Kirby.

Those who expect a Bronson movie to be a bloodbath will be surprised at the calmer, more procedural tone of this movie. Bronson doesn't seem to care about how many people come into the US; he's just there to enforce the laws. Smuggling in people is a big, well organized business, with the men in charge getting the profits off an estimated 3,000,000 illegal immigrants a year at $300 a head. Ed Harris, in his first credited film role, is the head of the local operations. Can Bronson, who seems to have no life outside his job, bring them to book?

...is unfortunately not quite exceeded

Not the worst Bronson film. Although one hopes that Charly would occasionally turn up the heat a bit more, the film focuses more on story and suspense, which is not bad. All in all, it's meant to be a socially critical trill, not so much an action thriller. But the cliché probably demands it, one thirsts for a little more reactionary ruckus.

In other roles in the flick, which is well cast right down to the supporting roles, are Hollywood veterans Bruno Kirby, Kenneth McMillan, Wilford Brimley and Ed Harris, among others, all familiar faces from numerous classics. 6,5 / 10.

This is just a flick with a simple story but it's still watchable towards todays standards. It's all about the borderline between America and Mexico and the business that is going on to 'help' Mexicans cross the line.

For a flick of 1980 it is very low on brutality. It was a time that had a lot of blood, nudity and gore in it's flicks but this here just hasn't any of that. There's one killing that is well done, the shooting at the beginning but further there's nothing to see. But the thespians here to see is the main reason to watch it.

The main lead is done by Charles Bronson, you love or hate him but I love him even as he isn't an actor with great abilities he still delivers. It was made at a time that Bronson was more in rough flicks or revenge flicks starting with the Death Wish franchise (1974). But there's also Ed Harris (Hotchkiss) here to see in one of his first major roles. He got his first taste of critical acclaim, playing astronaut John Glenn in The Right Stuff (1983). Also Bruno Kirby (Jimmy Fante ) made it in blockbusters like Good Morning Vietnam (1987). There are more popular faces to see in smaller roles like Charles Cypher.

We have seen this story a few times in other flicks but as I said earlier, it still works and is in fact still actual.

Gore 0/5 Nudity 0/5 Effects 0/5 Story 3/5 Comedy 0/5

Entirely Charles Bronson recital , here he is Jeb Maynard , a tough border patrol who just wants to do a good job. Jeb gets caught in chasing smuggle illegal immigrants across the Texas border. Later on, a grisly crimen is committed and he sets out in pursuit of a murderer in this action flick . He join forces with a rookie patrolman: Bruce Kirby and both of whom are hunting for a human smuggler responsible for colleague's murder . Meantime , he gets caught in trying to help an illegal alien and discover who killed her young child . While the hapless Chicanos are forced to work by villainous owners by exploiting them in short salary . Somewhere along a thousand miles of barbed wire border the American dream has become a nighmare !. Charles Bronson dares to you cross the line !. It divided the land, it divided the man!.

Thriller movie with suspense, action , intrigue , thrills and adequate interpretations . Charles Bronson gives a nice acting in his usual style as the stoic border patrolman on the tracks of bad guys bringing illegal immigrants in . However , resulting to be a bland actioner compared other Charles Bronson vehicles . This flick turns out to be one of a handful of pictures starred by Bronson dealing with Mexico or interpreting Mexican roles as Villa rides by Buzz Kulik, Break out by John Huston and Mr Majestyk by Richard Fleischer . Bronson is well supported by fine secondary cast with full of familiar faces , such as : the early deceased Bruno Kirby , Bert Remsen, Michael Lerner, Kenneth McMillan, Wilford Brimley , John Ashton , Charles Cyphers and the always great Ed Harris in his first major film role . It contains an appropriate and atmospheric musical score. Typically professional camerawork by prestigious Tak Fujimoto, subsequently to have a long and important career , though photography is lousy and washed-out , due to old copy , being really necessary a perfect remastering .

The picture was professionally directed by Jerrold Freeman . This director is a good artisan with a few but passable films , such as : "Native Son", "Kansas City Bomber" . But his career develops especially in TV , making episodes from known series , such as : "X files" , "Night Gallery" , "Alfred Hitchcock present" , "McGiver" , "The Psychiatrist", "The Bold ones : The Senator" , "The Bold ones: The Protectors" . Rating : 6/10 . Passable and acceptable . The film offers interest enough for Charles Bronson fans.

"Borderline" has a lot of good stuff going for it. First, it has a very good cast. Charles Bronson, Ed Harris and Wilford Brimley are all perfectly cast for their roles. The movie also has a very compelling hook. It introduces a compelling villain and a captivating inciting incident.

The movie also has some very striking cinematography. The movie has longer takes than most films, but the camera follows the action in such a way that it doesn't feel stale.

But the downside happens to be the story. After the opening mystery, not much happens. The audience knows the solution, and Bronson launches a slow investigation. He has a plan that goes nowhere, it just burns 27 minutes of runtime going to a dead end.

Without spoiling anything, the ending is anti-climactic. It feels like a video game ending where the player didn't get all the collectibles, so they get the bad ending.

Its a shame, because this film is right at the border of being great. But as is, it is only OK.

A 1980 Charles Bronson vehicle. Bronson is a border guard in charge of one sector. He complains that traffic is up & his crew is at their breaking point even though a new recruit, played by the late, great Bruno Kirby has joined the ranks. One night a truck full of 'wets' is pulled over w/one of the coyotes, played by Ed Harris in his debut role, sits in the back of the truck armed, ready for the worst. The deputy, played by the late, great Wilford Brimley, gets the driver's papers but as is his way, he needs to see what he's hauling which ends up w/him being shotgunned to death by Harris who also kills a young migrant pulled from the cab along w/the driver. At first wanting to punt the deaths to the Feds or Narcos, Bronson is reticent to cede the case since Brimley was his friend. Bronson tracks down the boy's mother & brings her along to see if they can nab the coyote from the Mexico side (the original driver has since been killed w/drugs planted in his truck amplifying the drug angle) but after this gambit doesn't payoff, Bronson turns his attention to the head importer of labor in the area, played by Bert Remsen (who in turn works w/a white collar type played by Michael Lerner) who denies any wrongdoing but Bronson finds a boot print (the same print found at the murder site) so Bronson knows he's got his man so all he needs to do is to get all his ducks in a row (on Christmas day no less where the smugglers are being ambitious hoping to bring at least 2000 people across) coordinating his staff as they pick off all the returning trucks back to base w/Harris' capture a surety. Atypically methodical & slow moving for a Bronson vehicle on the cusp of the decade which would catapult him into action star infamy, the film's pace affords low dividends but dividends none the less. If you're in for a cool slow burn which doesn't resort to action movie tropes & at times quite thoughtful about the immigration issue, this film may tick off some boxes. Also starring John Ashton (from Beverly Hills Cop & its sequel) as one of Bronson's men, Kenneth McMillan (from the original Dune) as Bronson's boss & genre vet Charles Cyphers (from the original Halloween) as another of Bronson's men.

One of the few feature films to have illegal aliens Borderline has Charles Bronson in charge of a border patrol station in Arizona. It's a thankless task he has because as is made clear a lot of these illegals are just pursuing the American dream. And why not? They read about the Statue Of Liberty and if they get to New York they see the lovely Ms. Liberty in our harbor with those words about "bring me your tired, your poor.....etc."

But what Borderline says is that illegal smuggling is a more organized racket than we think and Bronson has no doubt that it was those smuggling illegals who murdered his partner Wilford Brimley and a young Mexican kid Panchito Gomez. The FBI says it was drugs, Bronson says it was human smugglers. Therein lies the story.

Although he did some television and a few bits in some feature films, Borderline gives an 'introducing' credit to Ed Harris who plays a former Marine and killer of Brimley. He's not at the top of the villainy food chain here, but his skills make him a dangerous foe for Bronson. He's a coldblooded piece of work.

Also note Bruno Kirby as a new trainee from New York as if that speech pattern would have him from anywhere else.

One thing I didn't like was the business where Bronson goes undercover with a group of illegals using Karmin Murcelo the mother of the deceased boy as a guide because she is Spanish speaking of course. In real life he would have taken her information and I'm sure the Border Patrol has any number of Spanish speaking female agents for such work. Just ridiculous.

It's a complex topic, but Borderline dealing with smuggling illegal aliens will find favor with Charles Bronson fans.

This was the third turkey in a row for Charles Bronson, after "The White Buffalo" and "Love and Bullets". It's so utterly, extraordinarily dull that you may not quite make to the end. There is little plot, no action, no emotion, no humor and generally nothing to engage your interest in any way; even the supporting characters are colorless. The previous reviewer was right: don't bother. (*1/2)

Ed Harris should have had more interaction with Charles Bronson in this film. Two great actors but not meeting its potential.

I was familiar with this movie, as I had seen the cover before, but never actually gotten around to watching it before. But as the opportunity presented itself here in 2025, as part of a mini-marathon of Charles Bronson movies, of course I opted to watch it.

Writers Jerrold Freedman and Steve Kline put together a script and storyline that essentially proves timeless, as it deals with issues that very much are abundant today, 45 years after the movie was released. And it was a nicely constructed and told story, which just made the movie all the more enjoyable to sit through.

The movie has a good cast ensemble, with the likes of Charles Bronson, Ed Harris, Bruno Kirby, Michael Lerner, Kenneth McMillan, Wilford Brimley and John Ashton. The acting performances in the movie were good.

While "Borderline" is not the best of Charles Bronson movies, it is still an enjoyable and watchable movie today.

Watchable, for sure, but "Borderline" is hardly a movie that warrants more than a single viewing.

My rating of director Jerrold Freedman's 1980 movie "Borderline" lands on a five out of ten stars.

I can't understand why Bronson would choose to appear in such a low-key and predictable movie (unless it was for the money). There's almost no action, there's almost no investigating of the mystery, and you can tell what's going to happen next in almost every part of the movie. Even if you are a Bronson fan, you shouldn't bother with this entry in Bronson's filmography.

Before Charles Bronson spend the 1980's working with Cannon Films, usually noted as his worst period, he starred in a few ITC productions that make Cannon seem like MGM, including the neo noir road picture LOVE & BULLETS, the intentional CASABLANCA knockoff CABOBLANCO and, before the limp exploitation THE EVIL THAT MEN DO is his worst latter film and performance in BORDERLINE...

It's actually more of a non-performance of a mild-mannered Border cop investigating the murder of another agent, played by Wilford Brimley in a scene where a young "Introducing" Ed Harris proves himself a cunning villain, only he's hardly in the picture at all, and never goes head-to-head with Bronson...

The veteran icon either trudging from melodramatic immigrant farms following hard-to-see night crimes, or at one point going raggedly undercover with surrogate love interest Karmin Murcelo...

But no matter what dreary location, our man doesn't connect with anything or anyone here... thank god at least Cannon woke him up for a little while, because kinematic kitsch beats a big screen coma any day.

Charles Bronson delivers a very strong performance in "Borderline". Bronson was underrated as an actor but he really does deliver the goods in this movie. His supporting cast is also good. "Borderline" may skip a beat here and there in the writing department but its heart is always in the right place. That's why any bumps in the road are easily forgiven. I know it might not be saying much but this is Bronson's best film of the 1980s.