Thompson's Last Run

This is a made for TV movie starring Mitchum as an inmate who escapes while being transferred to another prison facility by Brimley. It is a character study of the long relationship between the Mitchum and Brimley characters and I must say I was very surprised by how touching it was! It wasn't what I expected out of those two grumpies. It also has a lot of action including Brimley chasing Mitchum on foot!(These guys were not young). I did not like the actress who played Mitchum's niece (a real draw back to the film). Its amazing how long Mitchum kept giving good performances in these relatively unknown little films up until he was pushing 80. Most of his contemporaries (any who were still alive) did not keep receiving job offers. If you're a Mitchum fan you should give this one a try.

A little known film from late in Mitchum's career.Rather low key,but,beautifully acted by Mitchum and Brimley.Mitchum gives a wise,seasoned performance,as the lifetime criminal he portrays must surely be.The ending,however,is the reason you want to watch the film again and again.Mitchum was the best at portraying such poignant beauty.You don't see endings like this anymore,or,even,acting,where the characters are so believable.Sure,certain plot lines are rather far-fetched ,I can't imagine a prisoner being transported to another facility and having their handcuffs removed then sharing a drink with his transporting officer,even if they have known each other for 30 years.But again,suspend disbelief and enjoy this beautiful tale of good men who have made some bad decisions.

I believe I know why this film is 'underrated' - for one thing, the overhead microphone deserves credit as a supporting actor - it was in at least four scenes! The best example is when Mitchum is visiting an old flame and the microphone swings to and fro over their heads for at least ten seconds!?!? Either the entire crew is blind or they don't care - from the end result of this movie I think the latter must be the case.

It seems like everybody in every department on the film is trying to do the worst job possible - at one point the always inappropriate music sounds right for a quiet, suspenseful scene - in the middle of a gunfight / car chase!! Then, when information is being slowly typed up on a computer, the whole orchestra goes into full melodramatic swing! The camera-work is also appalling, surely they could have afforded steadicam!

The plot of the film must have looked good on paper - two old friends caught on opposing sides of the law, facing up to old age - but it is handled at a pedestrian pace. Now I am a big fan of Mitchum's - that's why I got this bargain bin DVD - but he looks as bored playing in this as you will watching it, although he still manages to be the only actor who creates a believable character. Wilford Brimley wouldn't even have convinced if he wasn't sharing most of his scenes with that damned overhead microphone! He has a serious charisma deficit and any emoting he may have been capable of is hidden behind the most ridiculous walrus moustache I've ever seen.

With slow pacing and ridiculous suspension of disbelief (they keep robbing safes and shouting and banging around and don't arouse suspicion? The entire crew missed the twenty minutes of screen time Mr. Microphone has?) this is one to stay well clear of. Listen to me. That's 94 minutes of mortality lost forever, and now all I have is this novelty state of the art frisbee!

Thompson's Last Run was the first 35mm film that I ever worked on, and it was a great learning experience. Robert Mitchum and Wilford Brimley provided performances that were top-notch, and the rest of the cast really rose to the occasion. It was a real pleasure whenever the director, Jerrold Freeman, came into the editing room. It was also my first film working with Anthony Redman, ACE, a very talented editor.

What a nice surprise this was to find - and on a VHS tape, no less!

The only reason I played this movie that I'd never heard of was because Robert Mitchum was in it. Based on how far under the radar this movie was for me, I assumed the two star performers featured above the title were only going to be in it for a few minutes in supporting roles. I was delighted to find out I was very wrong.

This is a great, straight-ahead character drama. An old criminal and an old copy get to reflect on the choices they've made, and what they mean to each other - what their actions towards one another have meant to them.

Both of the leads are great, in quietly meaningful performances. The supporting cast is very strong, too, for the most part.

There's no flash in this movie, though there are some twists and turns. It's really a great showcase for Mitchum at this stage in his career, and can be recommended for this alone.