O Trem da Morte

A good time is guaranteed when one sits down to watch this exhilarating blend of action, Western, and suspense - largely set on a train. Based on the novel by Alistair MacLean, and scripted by the author himself, it has an engaging plot with twists and revelations along the way.

Charles Bronson delivers a fine performance as John Deakin, a wanted man who is brought aboard a train headed to Fort Humboldt, which is supposedly experiencing an outbreak of diphtheria. We'll find that things are not as they seem, and the characters cannot be taken at face value, either.

The phenomenal supporting cast is a pleasure to watch; there are so many good actors in one place here. Ben Johnson, Jill Ireland (looking quite beautiful), Richard Crenna, Charles Durning, Ed Lauter, Bill McKinney, David Huddleston, Roy Jenson, Robert Tessier (who curiously seems to be dubbed by Paul Frees), and Sally Kirkland are all present and accounted for; the young trooper Rafferty is played by Paul Newmans' son Scott.

The action is first-rate and the movie, just like the prominent mode of transportation, races forward. Tom Gries directs first unit, with the legendary Yakima Canutt handling the second unit and the stunt coordination. Among the highlights are an intense fight between Bronson and boxing champ Archie Moore (who plays the dubious chef Carlos), and an incredible train crash. And it's all done in the classic tradition without the modern tendency to rely heavily on special effects.

We already know we're going to have some serious fun with the opening credits, courtesy of Phill Norman, accompanied by a majestic, powerful, catchy main theme by Jerry Goldsmith, which this reviewer can still hear in his head as he types this. The movie gets right down to business, with a good solid story that has no need for filler, and which moves right along to a nicely executed action climax. The movie's got something for a variety of tastes, and makes for mighty fine escapism, which manages to remain fun on repeat viewings.

Eight out of 10.

Based on Alistair MacLean's novel about a troop train transporting soldiers and medical supplies to a plague ridden fort, that is threatened by hijackers and other secrets from various characters like the territorial governor, doctor, and a mysterious prisoner.

Featuring a fine cast that includes Charles Bronson, Richard Crenna, Jill Ireland, Charles Durning, and Ed Lauter, this suspenseful and action filled western thriller(directed by Tom Gries) is great fun all the way, and also has a twist laden plot to keep the viewer guessing.

Some graphic violence at times, but intelligently done, and beautifully filmed on real snowy locations. If you love trains, you can't miss this one!

One thing I do like about Breakheart Pass is that absolutely nobody is who he pretends to be. For the first time viewer, 90% of the fun is figuring just who the good guys and bad guys are on this train to Fort Humboldt in the Rocky Mountains. It's not revealed until about 75% of the film is done and when it is revealed the action steps up considerably.

A special train is being sent to Fort Humboldt with medical supplies and a relief force as cholera has broken out there. The territorial Governor Richard Crenna is taking personal charge of the operation, the troops are commanded by cavalry Major Ed Lauter. Along for the ride is U.S. Marshal Ben Johnson, Doctor David Huddleston, the Commanding officer's daughter, Jill Ireland. The engineer is Roy Jenson, the conductor is Charles Durning. Governor Crenna travels in style with a private car with a cook, Archie Moore and a server Victor Mohica. As you can see Breakheart Pass has a good cast.

Marshal Johnson arrests a fugitive, Charles Bronson, before the journey starts and circumstances force him to take Bronson along. People start getting killed on this trip, even before the train leaves and as I said no one is exactly who he seems to be.

Alistair MacLean for a non-American writer managed in this story to get the western ambiance down pretty good. Breakheart Pass combines the best elements of a western and a mystery and I wouldn't miss it if I was either a western or a mystery fan.

Alistair MacLean spent most of his novelist days writing wartime suspensers or twisting, turning thrillers. The one book that he wrote which doesn't fit either of those descriptions is Breakheart Pass, a western set aboard a train. This film version of it is surprisingly enjoyable, and features the added bonus of an expressive, colourful characterisation by Charles Bronson.

The train is travelling to a fort in the Wild West with medical supplies to cure an outbreak of a nasty disease. However, some of the soldiers aboard the train are mysteriously disappearing, and anyone who's ever seen a film like this will figure out straight away that there's a murderer on board. Furthermore, the train must make its journey across hostile Red Indian terrain, where a fearsome ambush or a sabotaged stretch of track is only a spear throw away.

Bronson plays a mysterious outlaw who is held prisoner on the train, though there are plenty of clues that he may not be exactly who he says he is. Other well delineated characters are played by Richard Crenna, Jill Ireland, Archie Moore (yes, the boxer!), and Ed Lauter. One truly amazing sequence involves a rooftop scuffle between Bronson and Moore.... indeed most people who have ever seen the film remember it for that sequence more than any other. All things considered, Breakheart Pass is one of the better adaptations of a MacLean novel, admittedly not quite in the same league as Fear is the Key or Where Eagles Dare, but definitely worth seeking out, especially on DVD.

Alistair MacLean has always been one of my favorite authors, dating back to my high-school days in the mid-'60s. He has written many outstanding books, and many films have been made from them. Too many times, however, the title is the only thing that remains the same.

Not in this case, however. Either MacLean himself was involved with this film, or the director actually read the book first before starting, as this film is faithful to the book. A rarity indeed.