L'Ultime Randonnée

Saw this in the drive-in back in '71 and thought it was pretty good! Saw it again on Speedvisions "Lost Drive-in" some time ago but some of the scenes were "edited for TV". I don't believe it was ever released on video...too bad!

The title of Sydney J. Furie's little, forgotten film intrigued me, and I made sure to see it on ABC way back when, about 1975. I could tell it was an R-rated movie that was edited for TV, but the movie felt fresh and thoughtful. There was so much I didn't comprehend about the story of a narcissistic heel and an insecure but driven-to-win mechanic who cross paths on a motorcycle racing circuit. Robert Redford (Halsey Knox) and Michael J. Pollard (Little Fauss) have little in common except that Halsey is a low-life manipulator in whom Little sees a chance to get out of Heat Rash, Oklahoma, and win some trophies.

Redford, a man who became very famous by being a charming bank robber/mountain man/CIA employee/Barbara Streisand's ex is a thoroughly believable heel. He slithers through lying and thieving effortlessly. He wanders around without a shirt, glib and facetious, ordering Little to do this and that, and throwing Fauss' insecurity with women in his face when they pick up a bike bunny (Lauren Hutton). It's instant love for Little, instant sex for Halsy, and it leads to Little calling his partnership with Halsy quits.

He wonders back to Mom, and Dad has passed on. All the best things that are in Little are on display when he takes up racing again, practicing and practicing, with Momma sucking down dust with a stopwatch in her hand. You can see the scar Halsy left on him, and he deals with its pain by exhibiting determination.

Then Halsy arrives, and because Little is weak, he throws in, again. Hutton is pregnant, and Redford's character has so little good in him that he simply dumps her at the hospital.

I think the kid got the better half of that deal.

Our two boys are racing now, competing against each other. Little has the confidence he lacked earlier. Halsy will always be the winner of a participation ribbon. And the saddest part of the movie is how Halsy's lack of good character changes the face and behavior of who he sees as his protege.

I thought this movie was much better than many of the reviews I read. It's clearly a flick that is designed to play off Redford's growing popularity. What Furie gets right is that, although Robert Redford's Big Halsy is the powerhouse on screen, the viewer might be more interested in Michael J. Pollard's performance. The balance of the two personalities on screen makes for a darn-fine tension. Pollard played many a wimp, but here, Fauss has a deeper well of grit than you see at the start (when he habitually lands in a dusty heap during race after race).

Speaking of dust, and heat, the whole movie seems to be covered in a fine layer of grit. There's no place to feel clean and dry. The dust is ever-present, mixing with sweat to give the characters a subtle muddy sheen. Even Lauren Hutton, who chats with Halsy about his ugly scar on his back, all the while having her bare bottom in view, winds up in a preggo smock, and she looks beaten, gritty, and ready to go home to the folks in San Francisco.

She hasn't much to do in the movie other than getting pregnant and abandoned, thereby cementing Halsy Knox as charmless and in possession of a terrible character.

So, why do I recommend this 52-year-old film? Nothing is ever new in movies. The value of watching is seeing how the story we already know is remolded into something fresh. Little Fauss and Big Halsy is a fresh movie, one that very few people saw or will see in the future. It's an actors' movie, and with the glut of pornographically stupid super-hero movies out there, it may be a refreshing change.

Real people, real situations, and a thoughtful good time.

If you've ever been on a motorcycle racing circuit or been around other real life circuits with those of the egotistical boaster class, you will love this movie. On both the motorcycle racing circuit and in business, I've met Halsey Knox; well, not really but a true to life, full blown, likeness thereof.

Having not really been a fan of motorcycle racing, but a fan of the scene, I immediately can identify with those of the "Halsey" genre, who not only know everything and been everywhere, but are the best and foremost authority on nearly every subject, let alone get all the women and nearly always screw up everyone's life around them by capturing the heart mind and soul of the unsuspecting and then "use" that person for what can be accomplished for the host.

Robert Redford plays the part like a pro. And poor unsuspecting Little Fauss is literally taken by the style and non-chalaunt attitude of Halsey. The two team up and when Fauss finally wakes up to the reality of being used by a bluffer and boaster, he finds the nerve to move on and locate success on his own.

Definitely a classic and no wonder Robert Redford didn't like the part, after all who wants to be seen as a loser with an egotistical "know it all" attitude, except of course for the part where he "gets all the women" :o)

I just got this movie on Blu ray from Blu ray.com/amazon and it looks fantastic! For a low budget movie in 1970, the transfer is amazing, crystal clear and the audio is great. It's funny because Redford wears sun glasses in about 60% of the film and you can see the reflection of the movie lights and even film crew in a number of scenes. You'd think they would have noticed this when filming. The movie isn't the greatest, but it is a cult classic. It's weird seeing Redford playing such a jerk of a character. He was actually really good at it in this movie. I found it interesting that Redford and Michael Pollard couldn't stand each other while filming this movie. I wonder what caused it?

ROBERT REDFORD plays 'hunk' Halsy Knox, who demands and receives everything he desires except his self-respect. A God-given talent at motocross racing becomes his albatross in his quest to achieve what he believes is his destiny. Along the way are numerous characters of this hobby/religion's entourage including a gear-head named 'Little' (MICHAEL J. POLLARD). They all accommodate his every whim based on his good looks, charm and 'somewhat winning' first impression. It's not until later that an observant witness realizes that he has been duped by a 'con-man without a con' in Halsy's mission to nowhere.

Lots of motorcycle racing action and 60's introspective brings this one up to cult status. Redford is absolutely gorgeous in his appearance/role as a cad. Seems one-half the film has him bare chested! A goodly amount of nudity abounds (full-frontal LAUREN HUTTON, etc.) and if '70's film-liberalism disturbs you then I recommend Olsen twins films.

A GREAT soundtrack with songs by JOHNNY CASH and the TENNESSEE THREE, & CARL PERKINS! Some of the music was written by BOB Dylan.

Filmed on location in Antelope Valley, Ca, Sonoma County, Ca and Sears Point Raceway in San Francisco.

Postscript: "I have seen this film about ten times now and it ALWAYS leaves me thinking about it for days. RR chews up the scenery and gives a bravura performance as Halsy as he stretches his interpretation of the cad to subtle brilliance!"