Caminho do Patíbulo

I had been looking for a copy of this movie for sometime and finally got myself an original Prism Video pre-record off of eBay. What a disappointment! I'd been looking forward to at least a decent blaxploitation feature, but this piece of junk would hardly qualify as a competent TV film. Kevin McCarthy, always a hammy actor to begin with, is way, way over the top in this one, practically foaming at the mouth in many of his scenes. The plot is so full of astounding contrivances (for example, mere hours after he escapes from prison, Raymond St. Jacques' face is on the front page of the local paper - which must have been printed at midnight to reach Kevin McCarthy's front porch when it does!) that after not much time the whole plot becomes totally risible. You do get a brief glimpse of Dana Wynter's nipple, but this is hardly worth having to sit through a 106 minute feature that should have clocked in under 90.

I agree with an earlier posting that this is a fairly abysmal movie; however, having said that, the fact you get to see the only semi-nude seen ever put on film by the beautiful Dana Wynter and a fully nude shot of Barbara McNair, a mediocre singer with a better than mediocre bod, made this worthwhile to see. I, in fact, saw if four times at the PX Movie Theater in Yongsan, Eighth Army Compound, Seoul, Korea. But it was just 25-cents to get in and getting a little nudity in your mainstream flick was quite a gas in 1968.

This film begins with a black man by the name of "James Lake" (Raymond St. Jacques) in the process of breaking out of prison somewhere in the Deep South. Unfortunately, his absence from his cell is soon noticed and, although he manages to escape, a prison guard is shot and killed by one of the other guards in the tower. Running as quickly as he can he just happens to come across a man by the name of "Leslie Whitlock" (Kevin McCarthy) who has supposedly developed car trouble. Being a mechanic, James helps him fix the car and as repayment Leslie offers to give him a ride. However, James soon realizes that Leslie isn't nearly as courteous as he pretends because, not long afterward, he reveals that he not only knows that James is an escaped prisoner, but also subsequently attempts to blackmail him into killing his wife "Ellen Whitlock" (Dana Wynter). Now, rather than reveal any more, I will just say that many people consider this to be an early example of a Blaxploitation movie and--even though it doesn't quite fit some of the technical parameters--I tend to agree with that assessment. Regardless, one thing I can say is that this was a pretty good crime-drama which seemed somewhat risqué for the time-period in question as it not only featured a totally nude Barbara McNair (as James Lake's girlfriend "Lily") in one particular love scene but also had Dana Wynter appearing topless in another one as well. So, it definitely tested the limits. Likewise, it also had an interesting plot which was hampered somewhat by the recurring flashbacks intended to reveal part of the story behind James Lake's imprisonment. Be that as it may, while some viewers might not particularly care for this film, I found this to be an enjoyable movie for the most part and I have rated it accordingly. Slightly above average.

This movie came out when I was in college and I remember going with a girlfriend to see it - I liked Raymond St. Jacques a lot & still remember him -I loved it! He was so gorgeous and such a good actor - Back then - about 40 years ago (egad !), it was a daring film, and is thus a period piece - I remember the love scenes - I remember thinking how much they cared for each other - You cannot possibly watch this movie without being into what the times were like - I had marched through Harlem only maybe a few years before: the first march through Harlem with all of us together (as I was very active at CIty College (NY)) - Free sex was in its beginnings. The whole audience was hooting and exclaiming through the whole thing - it was really fun! My first experience with that kind of participating audience - the movie might not be the greatest, but the acting is worth it - just for Raymond St. Jacques himself! I've been wanting to see it again for a long time. It's part of the 60's . . .