User reviews

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.

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.

The movie is a little too long, the plot isn't the greatest, and it "drags" here and there, but all the actors are excellent - Richard Crenna and Ben Johnson in particular. Charles Bronson does what he does best - be Charles Bronson. It has good stunts, and plenty of action - what you expect from a Western. To me the main item of interest is that Yakima Canutt, the first great movie stuntman, and later a great stunt coordinator, was the 2nd unit director. It was his last movie. He died the next year - 1976. He started in silent movies, worked with John Wayne on many occasions, and staged the chariot race in the nine-Oscar winning "Ben Hur." It's fitting that his last movie was a Western.

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.

entertaining but ludicrous western mystery, starring charles bronson at the height of his career, with beautiful outdoor scenery, a familiar cast and an uneven but at times memorable score from jerry goldsmith.

bronson plays an alleged arsonist and murderer who is being escorted to trial by a state marshall, on board a train that's also on a rescue mission to an army camp beset by disease. nothing is what it seems, and there are plot twists galore, several of which make no sense. most ridiculous development sees murder suspect bronson allowed to roam the train at will, as he figures everything out.

but the taciturn star has his roughneck charms, the railway sequences through the wintry, mountainous terrain are lovely, and there's an incredible, lengthy fight atop the rolling train that is eyepoppingly good -- no special effects here -- and escalates to a jaw dropping climax as the train rolls over a high wooden bridge.

nothing special, but an entertaining diversion.

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!

... to add to the mystery. The film starts slow without boring the customer. We are introduced to some of the characters who will enter a military support train from Arizona(?) to Fort Humboldt, California. The train will pass only wild mountain landscape so that there is no leave. Mysterious things start to happen and we don't know what's behind, a situation roughly comparable to A LADY VANISHES from Hitchcock. So it's more a Thriller and Murder Mystery located in the Old West than a real Western. Bronson does a good job and handles the increasing action well, the other actors give some good but not great performances. The film would be better and more credible with some less mystery events and particularly less carcasses on the train. Why not dump them in the wilderness!? It must have smelled. But overall good and well shot entertainment.

Quite popular in Germany.

Most enjoyable for me due to the scenery and the rolling stock and the horsemanship is also worth noticing. Competent acting without unnecessary drama. Blissfully short fight scenes by modern standards.

Set in 1873 aboard a train carrying vital medicine panniers along a long rout across snowy mountains and narrow passes . Then , the people on the train start dying mysteriously , one by one . The obvious suspense deals with a bandit who is detained by a Sheriff : Ben Johnson , as he is a mysterious outlaw : Bronson , as a killer under arrest . The mystery man results to be the main suspect but things go wrong . Then , at the Breakheart Pass -a location in Nevada's Rocky Mountains through which trains must pass- takes place moving and violent happenings .



Stirring , exciting and consistently enjoyable Western , being an agreeable combination of mystery movie , Western and whodunnit ; including thrills , violence , shootouts , a lot of killings and inherent dynamism as opposed to weightily set up action pieces . Aficionados of this sort of stories will know that's too easy , but the main problem is that , as soon as someone comes under suspicion , quickly gets bumped off . The action pieces are well paced , and filmmaker keeps the fast-movement tumbling across the screen . It includes spectacular pursuits on the train in which the pursued protagonists cross impressive wood bridges , landscapes , rivers and mountains ; in addition , being set in Nevada ; however , the film was actually shot in Idaho . This is a typical adventure with all the usual failings : minimal characterization , too much script , twists and too little real events . This one arranges to mingle essential ¨Agatha Christie's Ten Little Indians¨ with murders on a train ¨a la¨ basic Orient Express¨style¨being set in the old west . Based on a novel by bestselling writer Alistair McLean ; this American film packs habitual combination included on his books , as foolish as well as terrible dialogue , moving action , breathtaking locations and colorful characters . This film is particularly emphasized for some fight images aboard the train between two-fisted guy Charles Bronson and the hunk Archie Moore ; it was performed without stunt doubles. Other films based on his novels are the followings : ¨Force 10 Navarone¨, ¨ Guns of Navarone ¨, ¨ Puppet on chain ¨, ¨ When the eagles dare ¨ , ¨Operation Polar Zebra¨ , ¨Station 3 Ultrasecret¨ and this ¨Breakheart pass¨ , among others . As always , Charles Bronson performs a tough and silent man in lame manner , as he plays an outlaw with a dak secret . This is one of a number of westerns that Bronson made during the mid- to late 1960s and early 1970s . These include westerns made during the seventies such as : Red sun (1971) by Terence Young , Chato (1972) by Michael Winner , From noon till three (1976) by Frank D Gilroy , Nevada Express (1975) by Tom Gries and White Buffalo (1977) by J. Lee Thompson , being most of them produced by Dino De Laurentiis . Bronson is well accompanied by a fine support cast , such as : his wife Jill Ireland, being ne of many films in which Charles Bronson co-starred with his early deceased spouse , Ben Johnson , Charles Durning , Ed Lauter ,Bill McKinney , David Huddleston , Robert Tessier , Roy Jenson , and a previous light heavyweight prizefighter boxing champ turned-actor Archie Moore, among others .



Superbly photographed by Lucien Ballard on spectacular snowy outdoors and defiles from Camas Prairie Railroad, Lewiston, Idaho, Kalibab National Forest Arizona (Doubling for Nevada) and Williams, Arizona, USA . This cameraman when he's given the chance is awesome . Special mention for the rousing as well as evocative musical score by maestro Jerry Goldsmith , composed in his peculiar style . Goldsmith charging along to some of the best film soundtracks has ever written . The motion picture was professionally directed by Tom Gries , helped by his experienced second-unit aide Yakima Canutt , though flopped in theatres . Tom was an expert director of Western as this ¨Breakheart pass¨ also titled ¨Nevada Express¨ , ¨100 Rifles¨ , and ¨Will Penny¨ that is the best work ever made ; Gries also directed other successes as ¨Breakout¨, ¨The glass house¨ , ¨Helter Skelter¨ and TV series as ¨QBVII¨ , but he also made some real duds . His later output in other genres was routine.

...all in one. What more to ask for? Well, the music could've been better, in between action and speech scenes there's a lot of "suspense" music, what I call TV-movie music, that the film could do without. But aside from that, I like this film.

A good story, good cast, great scenery, and something I thirst for in westerns: good iron horse action, with actual American rail equipment of the era (unlike, say, the European stuff in Sergio Leone's westerns). The setting is a railroad in the frosty cold weather of the Sierra mountains, with lots of "power" shots of the locomotive working hard on steep grades. Why, oh why, don't more western films take advantage of this great atmospheric effect? And let's not forget, this is one of Bronson's best films. He's a cool character and there's enough action to satisfy, including a great train roof fistfight. A good mystery in a western setting, and worth a rental.

Breakheart Pass is a good, mystery western with an appeal relative to the 1985 movie "Clue" (except there isn't three or four different endings like there was in Clue). This movie makes you keep guessing who the culprit is and the action nor suspense ever let up at all. Some very interesting death sequences for a western, a train wreck scene that is almost impossible to believe it when you see it! Bronson's real life wife Jill Ireland plays one of her better roles in this film. Richard Crenna does a remarkable job portraying the character of Governor Fairchild. Ed Lauter portrays a command chief (Seargeant, Colonel???) for his army that is supposedly stranded out west in the middle of a diphtheria epidemic that is raging like wildfire. Bronson as usual is his in character stoic self playing his character with cool and calm ease as John Deakin, a supposed assassin and robber with a criminal history but hey wait! that's not all folks...

An intriguing western and mystery wrapped in one, the film starts off quite strong, but it later spirals into run-of-the-mill action sequences that feel added in just for thrills, some of which are awkwardly silent. The directing works by clichés and the characters are all standard types, however in spite of all this it is quite watchable stuff. The film is supported by some appropriate bits of music and effective photography, which includes an extensive range of different camera angles and fitting use of distant shots. Not a wonderful piece of cinema by any stretch, the film is nevertheless a decent one of its type.

This movie was made at the height of Bronson's career. He had just done Death Wish a year before and Hard Times and Breakout were the other two to follow. It must have made a packet and its easy to see why. A train heading for a destination where Indians await and mysterious murders happening along the way. Many characters make this movie seem alas Hitchcock/Christie and the music by Jerry Goldsmith is one of the best of the 70's. His music captures the mood of every scene whether it be high pitch as the train moves along or dark as the shady characters go about their business in the carriages. Some of the location shooting is breathtaking and i actually felt cold watching it. The acting is solid as expected. Bronson, Crenna, Johnson, Lauter, Durning and even Jill Ireland are all good while not giving much away to their character. The action explodes at the end and gunfire a plenty making this one of the most entertaining action films of that era.

8/10

Let's start with the title: "Breakheart Pass." Isn't it wonderful? Short, powerful, almost a bit poetic. Then we have Bronson, the one and only, doing what he used to do. Adding to this, we have Jerry Goldsmith, legendary Jerry, may he rest in peace. Continuing with the landscapes, nicely and atmospherically captured by experienced DP Lucien Ballard, long- time collaborator of directors Henry Hathaway and Sam Peckinpah, among others. All in all, it's a pleasant train ride, with enough of great stuntman work and well-executed practical effects to keep you entertained all through the film.

Charles Bronson is a prisoner, being transported by a sheriff (Ben Johnson) on a train carrying vital medical supplies to an army outpost suffering from a diphtheria outbreak. Soon it becomes apparent that some of the people aboard are not what they seem to be, as more and more of the passengers disappear or are murdered. Tension climbs with the body count as the train winds through the mountains to Breakheart Pass. Bronson's star appeal always eluded me but he was a top box-office draw when he made this adaptation of the Alistair MacLean novel. The 'last act' is a bit weak, but otherwise the movie is pretty good, with beautiful scenery and cinematography, competent acting (especially by Johnson and Crenna), and an interesting story. The action sequences (especially the fight on top of the train) are well staged and the film manages to fit the period (the 1870's) more than many of its Hollywood contemporaries (despite a 1970s aesthetic that is abetted by Jerry Goldsmith's 'commercial' but catchy music). Overall, a good action film starring (IMO) one of Hollywood's least likely leading men.

Let me start by saying that this movie is pretty damn good, and original, westerns are usually your typical tired old formula that you've seen done a billion times.

The thing I like about this film is that it was a mystery story, that involves your intellect and it was smart and treats it's audience as smart and not like idiots, also give us something new.

Charles Bronson is great in this film as Deacon, also the rest of the cast was very good in this I don't want to say anymore with out ruining it for you but this film was awesome.

Overall, a great mystery-western that was original and made completely fresh, which I think was a nice change of pace, hopefully we'll get more original westerns like this.

I give it a 7/10. It was nice seeing an original western that wasn't dumb or indifferent. I highly recommend it.

Having Alistair Maclean gets involved in the production this picture has a proper high class standard, Tom Gries has been proved in a fine western in late sixties with Chuck Heston in "Will Penny" and this mystery train which Charles Bronson as usual made a good job as cover up federal agent disguised as outlaw at large, nevertheless the story is quite unbelievable to start, even so the picture floating in resounded tracks, has a cold atmosphere and mystery, corpses were found during the journey, toward a Fort Humboldt to bring a famous outlaw to be hanging.

The assigment also concerns in delivery a medical supplies to Fort due there has been spread a fatal disease chorela with doctor and Reverend on board, under the command of the territory Governor Richard Crenna over the Major Ed Lauter in charge of calvary troops, meanwhile on the down-low the agent Bronson make a research to find out a possible collusion that involves majors figures on board.

The casting are quite fabulous, as Ben Johnson, Richard Crenna and Charles Durning, Ed Lauter, Bil McKinney, David Huddlestone and Sally Kirland and the regular guest stars on Bronson movie his wife Jill Ireland and the strong bald Robert Tessier, this a solid and enjoyable movie, on the amazing winter landscape provides a perfect backdrop, the highlight certainly is the running wagon train on downhill falling down near a high bridge a breathtaking sequence indeed !!

Thanks for reading

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First watch: 1983 / How many: 5 / Source: TV-Cable TV-DVD / Rating: 7.5.

A bunch of people cooped up inside a train together. In another compartment is an army unit who are headed to the rocky mountains to provide relief to an army camp devastated by a plague. But there is a killer among the main set of train passengers. the hero (Bronson) who is a prisoner gradually wins everyone's trust. The supporting cast including the great Charles Durning and Richard Crenna were surprisingly tepid due to poorly written roles. Jill Ireland looked gorgeous in this film. The film was rather slow at times and never rises above a certain level. It might have had some sort of an impact on Tarantino's THE HATEFUL EIGHT. I mean it might have inspired Tarantino.

The plot to "Breakheart Pass" is really tough to believe. There are some twists and turns that just seem bizarre. But, despite this, it is a very entertaining film...and one that seems strange from author Alistair MacLean. MacLean was known for WWII and contemporary dramas....and "Breakheart Pass" is set in the old west...quite a departure from his other novels.

Most of the story is set aboard a train that is going through the Nevada mountains. Inside the train is the governor and a variety of military and civilians needed to take care of a Diphtheria outbreak at a far off army fort. A latecomer to this group is Mr. Deakin (Charles Bronson), a wanted man who was just apprehended by the Marshal and are on the way to this fort. But there is MUCH intrigue among this group and many people are not who they seem...and where all this goes is something I never could have predicted.

Like most of MacLean's stories, this one is action-packed. Dialog and characterizations just aren't as important here. The same could be said about his other stories, such as "The Guns of Navarone". And, as a mindless action film, the movie works very well...very enjoyable and among Bronson's better films.

By the way, if you do watch take note of the cook, as he's played by Archie Moore...a man who was the light heavyweight champion of the world for many years. In real life, I cannot imagine Bronson taking him on in a fight and winning...despite what you'll see in the film.

Accurately reviewed elsewhere, especially on Rotten Tomatoes, I want to draw attention to the two producers who leave MacLean fans with a reasonable legacy, in spite of the efforts of a few other hapless production companies who almost single-handedly jeopardised the MacLean brand forever with a handful of awful translations of his novels to screen. So here, the mixture of action thriller, western and 'murder' mystery is neatly propelled by assured performances from Gershwin and Kastner's assembled cast and once again decent money is invested in the production not least in the expensively-rented heritage train shot on location against a beautiful Idaho winter mountain backdrop to ground the otherwise lightweight plot in period naturalism. 'Breakheart Pass' certainly offers an unusual spin on the classic Hollywood Western genre. This was the final of Jerry Gershwin and Eliot Kastner's MacLean adaptations, and though they never repeated the legendary success of their first collaboration, 'Where Eagles Dare' they did screen justice to four of MacLean's classic plot-twisty thrillers adding 'When Eight Bells Toll' and 'Fear Is The Key' to this one, putting together strong creative teams with a relevant skillset, in this case the tried and tested Western-genre Director, Tom Gries ('Will Penny', '100 Rifles'). Unlike the Geoffrey Reeve camp who, having been rescued by Don Sharp's additional scenes including the famous boat chase in the undeniably, though one feels inadvertently watchable 'Puppet On A Chain', then hopelessly exposed the brand becoming successful only in ruining the potential of both 'Caravan To Vaccares' and 'The Way to Dusty Death'. It's worth avoiding Richard Harris's later vanity-project 'Golden Rendezvous' at all costs. 'Breakheart Pass' meanwhile maintains something that did remain pretty consistent throughout all of the MacLean adaptations: a robust and memorable musical score. On this occasion Jerry Goldsmith's second MacLean project following his innovative and exciting score for 'The Satan Bug' a decade earlier. MacLean fans should be grateful to Gershwin and Kastner for maintaining the fine precedent set by Carl Foreman when 'The Guns of Navarone' hit the screens in 1961 and later Martin Ransohoff's 'Ice Station Zebra' which consolidated the MacLean brand as a reliable name in muscular thrillers. Meanwhile, trivia hunters may be interested to note that 'Ice Station Zebra' Producer, Ransohoff introduced Charles Manson murder victim Sharon Tate to Hollywood whose demise was depicted in 'Hekter Skelter' a couple of years after 'Breakheart Pass' by Director, Tom Gries. A plot twist that even MacLean may never have thought up.

This movie is a real classic. The movie takes its place on a train on its way to Fort Humboldt, and Charles Bronson acts as a man accused of many ill-doings. Suddenly people starts disappearing and the thrill of the movie has begun. The movie is excellently made and one can never figure out the ending. Personally I think that this is one of Charles Bronson's greatest movies and his co-actors also does a very fine job. This is also one of the best movies made out of Alistair Maclean's books - even if it doesn't completly follow the book.

....but it's not. Potentially intriguing setup (a Western whodunit set almost exclusively on a train) is diluted by a hopelessly muddled script (the story is barely comprehensible). The direction fails to build much suspense, and the characters are given no personality traits beyond a title: marshall, major, governor, doctor, etc. The scenery and the score (both magnificent) are deserving of a better movie surrounding them. *1/2 out of 4.