Breakheart Pass
Tags: mystery, intrigue, action, murder

Plot synopsis:
In the 1870s, residents of the garrison at the Fort Humboldt Army outpost are reported to be suffering from a diphtheria epidemic. A train is heading towards the fort filled with reinforcements and medical supplies. There are also civilian passengers on the train – Nevada Governor Fairchild (Richard Crenna) and his fiancée Marica (Jill Ireland), the daughter of the fort's commander.
The train stops briefly in Myrtle, where it takes on board local lawman Sheriff Pearce (Ben Johnson) and his prisoner, John Deakin (Charles Bronson), a notorious outlaw who was identified via a picture in a newspaper advertisement offering a $2,000 (approximately $44,000 today) reward. But as the journey goes on, several train passengers, including most of the train's soldier escort, are mysteriously killed or go missing. Deakin, who is actually a Secret Service agent, discovers en route that the "epidemic" at the outpost is actually a conspiracy between a group of killers led by the notorious outlaw Levi Calhoun (Robert Tessier), and a tribe of Indians under Chief White Hand (Eddie Little Sky). Instead of medical supplies, the train transports a large secret shipment of weapons, ammunition and dynamite stolen from U.S. manufacturers for sale to the Indians, in return for allowing Calhoun and his men to mine and smuggle gold from their lands. Most of the people on the train, including Governor Fairchild and Sheriff Pearce, are Calhoun's partners in crime, and those innocents who discover the evidence for his sinister plot are quickly silenced. Eventually, Deakin narrows his list of allies down to Marica and Army Major Claremont (Ed Lauter), who agree to assist Deakin in his efforts to prevent the arms delivery.
At Breakheart Pass, all hell breaks loose as Indians attack the train to take the weapons they were promised, and Calhoun and his men ride out to take the train in order to find out what's going on. Deakin and Claremont use dynamite to ground the train before it reaches the fort, and while Deakin runs interference, Claremont rushes to Fort Humboldt to free the soldiers imprisoned by Calhoun's gang. A gunfight breaks out when the freed soldiers clash with the Indians and bandits at the train; Calhoun is killed by Fairchild when he threatens Marica, but the governor is then in turn cut down by Claremont. At the end of the battle, Deakin interceps Pearce and shoots him when the corrupt Sheriff decides to go down fighting.

Review: 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.
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.
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.
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..
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).
Breakheart Pass is a wicked tough, badass Charles Bronson action vehicle steeped in the macho charm on the 1970's, and filled with ever changing photography as a train hurtles across the Nevada and Idaho mountains during a snowy winter.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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 .
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.
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.
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).
Having Alistair Maclean get involved with the production this movie has a proper high class standard,Tom Gries has been proved in a fine western in late sixties with Chuck in "Will Penny" and this mystery train which Charles Bronson as usual made a good job,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,the casting are quite fabulous,Ben Johnson,Richard Crenna and Charles Durning and lot of others good actors in this solid and enjoyable in a amazing winter landscape!!
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.
Deputy Marshal Pearce (Ben Johnson) looking for a way to board the train, arrests Murray.Aboard the train as it leaves are Governor Fairchild (Richard Crenna), Marcia Scoville (Jill Ireland) who is going to meet her father, Reverend Peabody (Bill McKinney), Dr. Molyneux (David Huddleston), a platoon of soldiers led by Major Clairemont (Ed Lauter), as well as, the conductor (Charles Durning), a steward (Joe Kapp) and the cook Carlos (Archie Moore).Fairchild reveals that the purpose of the trip is to bring medicine to the fort which is suffering from an epidemic of diphtheria.
"Breakheart Pass" it's a decent action movie, in which we have several distinguished actors, Ben Johnson in particular, Richard Crenna, Ed Lauter, Charles Durning.
This leaves Charles Bronson to put the jumbled pieces together.Mechanical, but a highly polished and enterprising feature that benefits greatly by the striking use of the sweeping camera, plenty of things going on in Alistair MacLean's tight-lipped screenplay (adapted off his own novel) and a strong tailored cast who really do put in.
It's a competent display with little in the way of flair as there are a couple of pretty good set-pieces involving two carriages of soldiers meeting an unpleasant end and a tussle (between Bronson and Archie Moore) on top the train.
An aging Charles Bronson in the "Death Wish" period, but still a curious film set mostly in a dramatic railroad-western.
A fun movie that tries to compound everything western into a classic Bronson film.
There are a few good things one can say about "Breakheart Pass" (Bronson's acting is effective, the music score is rousing), but, unfortunately, they are overshadowed by the bad things, like the murky script and the routine direction.
A real dreadful clinker involving Indians and bad guys in cahoots for guns and gold and silver.The action is on a train where Charles Bronson is supposedly an escaped fugitive.
It stars Charles Bronson, Ben Johnson, Richard Crenna, Jill Ireland, Charles Durning and Ed Lauter.
On board is a small U.S. Army unit and an assortment of passengers, all of whom are about to be in the middle of murder, mystery and dastardly plotting.Not exactly loved by the critics of the time, but liked well enough by the paying public, Breakheart Pass is a thoroughly enjoyable movie.
The action sequences are impressive (the train roof fight is as great as you have heard it is), with stunt coordinator Yakima Canutt (in his final assignment) once again excelling.Elsewhere, Jerry Goldsmith's score is wonderfully robust and chest thumping, a real triumph from the great man.
This tightly plotted Charles Bronson whodunit plays somewhat like one of writer Alistair MacLean's World War Two stories, transfered to a western setting with a bit of Agatha Christie thrown in for good measure.Combining that with excellently photographed northwest locations, a great cast of fine character actors, and some well-staged action scenes, makes this quite an enjoyable time for fans of Bronson and MacLean, as well as mystery, action-adventure and western aficionados.It's always great to see Ed Lauter (in a rare heroic role), Robert Tessier, Bill McKinney, and David Huddleston, four very underrated actors.As time goes by, I miss Bronson's presence on the big-screen more and more.
In the 1930's, he revolutionized the art of action in the movies and along with young B-western star John Wayne, pretty much invented the way film fights were (and still are) staged and photographed.
American film 'Breakheart Pass' is a highly entertaining western film about the death defying adventures of some passengers on a moving train.
Here the film starts with a train arriving at a station where absolutely nothing happens for the next 15 minutes.Despite this major flaw - Maybe films in the mid 70s sold on the names of Bronson and Maclean rather than script structure ?- once the film gets into its stride it is rather entertaining .
Now I like Western movies pretty much, especially the gun fighting, and train rides as well.
Bronson begins by playing an alleged convict who is tied to a corner but, before you know it, he is going up and down the train conducting an in depth investigation without anyone apparently wising up to it, apart from a cook with whom he trades punches atop the train.Crenna is predictably the smooth villain, Edward Albert not so predictably the good soldier, and Jill Ireland is as beautiful as she is exceedingly limited as an actress, and the rest of the cast takes turns coming on and disappearing.I could not wait for the end of this totally forgettable flick..
For those who consider Bronson as just another actioneer star, this is actually a mystery film, with a great deal of suspense.
(Then again, when didn't he?) Gries assembled a great cast of some of the 1970s finest character actors (Charles Durning, Ben Johnson, David Huddleston, Bill McKinney, Ed Lauter), and turned them into a terrific ensemble.
Bronson plays John Deakin, a prisoner on a train carrying medical supplies and soldiers through the Rockies to Fort Humboldt, California.
Maybe it's because I read a lukewarm review in Brian Garfield's excellent guide "Western Films"; or maybe it's because I feared it would be another "Murder on the Orient Express" (1974), one of the dullest movies I've ever seen (you can barely make out a word of Finney's heavily accented dialogue), not to mention the totally absurd murder mystery (as the ending reveals) (still, it's worth catching just for the all-star cast and the lush train sets).
Both films are murder mysteries that take place on steam-engine trains back in the day; the difference is that "Breakheart Pass" has a more interesting story and Western action, which is to be expected since it was written by Alistair MacLean.Speaking of action, the energetic climax with everyone chaotically running around – shooting people and exploding things -- is the film's weakest part as it doesn't completely work.
Wonderful story, and better landscapes,and everything with Jerry Goldsmith's unforgettable score.And not to forget,the thrilling is also effective.So,watch this film,it's in the best way of Agatha Christie.And of course at least as good as Hitchock's train-thriller.At least as good.When not even better....
Undercover Secret Service Agent John Deakin(Charles Bronson;Deakin is posing as a notorious criminal so to fool Ben Johnson's Marshal Nathan Pearce)has followed hidden Winchester rifles(to support notorious in-jun Whitehand and his men in a collaborative effort to collect gold and silver)to a certain train holding military whose leader Maj. Claremont(Ed Lauter)is suspicious to why he is being ordered around by a "piss-poor" politician(Gov. Richard Fairchild played by Richard Crenna).
In one particular harrowing sequence someone unlatches the train compartments holding Claremont's soldiers..they can not escape as it goes off the tracks crashing into the ground below.When you have a cast featuring such names as Johnson, Crenna, Bronson, Ireland, Durning, and Lauter, it's definitely not gonna be boring.
There came a point in the movie when I began wondering to myself, how come John Deakin/Murray (Charles Bronson) is running around loose without scrutiny or in the presence of any of the authority figures, like Marshal Pearce (Ben Johnson) or Major Claremont (Ed Lauter).
If bestselling Scottish writer Alistair MacLean and American superstar Charles Bronson appear like a difficult match to imagine, even more so is the "Where Eagles Dare" author penning a murder & mystery set in the Old West on an Army transport train with lots of suspicious characters.
The mustached Bronson heads an all-star cast of seasoned actors: Richard Crenna, Ed Lauter, Jill Ireland, Ben Johnson, Charles Durning, David Huddleston, Bill McKinney, Rayford Barnes, and Robert Tessier.
Is it Ireland's "Seven people, my God, Richard, how awful!" or Bill McKinney as a preacher exclaiming: "How dare you expose all of us to this dreadful pestilence!"Of course, lines like those tax any actor's selling ability, and it's no wonder Crenna, Johnson, and Charles Durning (as another of the train's mystery men) are content to slouch their way toward a paycheck here.
Bronson's his typically inert self, taking only what the script gives him, but director Tom Gries is no Sergio Leone, and Bronson's acting has a laggard quality all-too-familiar in his "Death Wish" days."Breakheart Pass" was the last film for fabled stunt coordinator Yakima Canutt and one of the last Westerns for cinematographer Lucien Ballard, who memorably shot "The Wild Bunch" and "True Grit." Canutt with a fight on top of a rail car and Ballard with his views of the train chugging through snowy valleys give the best work here, along with Ed Lauter who as U.S. Army Maj. Claremont manages to win our rooting interest.
Gries' static exterior compositions, his dull, repetitious framing of the actors and scenes, and his over-reliance on MacLean's bland and pokey script all doom any entertaining quality this film might have had.SPOILERS FOLLOW - Why does the deputy marshal allow Deakin to freely roam around the train after taking him into custody for the murder of seven people?
Moreover, the stellar cast keeps things buzzing: Bronson does credible work in a juicy lead role, Jill Ireland looks positively ravishing and exudes considerable charm as the gutsy and outspoken Marica, Ed Lauter has a welcome and refreshing change-of-pace good guy part as the no-nonsense Major Claremont, and Richard Crenna pours on the slippery smarm as the crooked Gov. Richard Fairchild, plus there are sound contributions from Ben Johnson as the rugged Marshal Pearce, Charles Durning as the huffy O'Brien, David Huddleston as the ill-fated Dr. Molyneux, Bill McKinney as the hard-nosed Reverend Peabody, Roy Jenson as gruff engineer Chris Banion, and Robert Tessier as vicious outlaw Levi Calhoun.
It turns from a mystery into a Western action movie.
What Breakheart Pass has going for it are some fine character actors like Ben Johnson, Charles Durning and David Huddleston; the look of the film...the hovel of the tiny rail town of Myrtle in the Rockies, dry, gray, worn-out plank buildings, a shack of a train station, a utilitarian brothel that's all business; the tired steam engine and worn carriages but with a plush interior of the wood-paneled dining car and parlor; the rugged snow-covered Sierra Nevada mountains; the stunt work directed by Yakima Canute in his last picture; and, of course, Charles Bronson, phlegmatic, stoic, always watching and seldom speaking.
Aboard is the territorial governor, the daughter of the fort's commander, a doctor, a minister, a train official, a major, some of his soldiers and a lawman with his prisoner, a man called Deakin (Charles Bronson).
Based on a novel by spy-master Alistair MacLean, BREAKHEART PASS is one of those twisty suspense films in which nobody is really whom they first appear to be and there are bad guys everywhere you turn.
I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery story, which benefits from a perfectly-cast Charles Bronson playing the film's hero.
Aside from Bronson, there are good turns from a range of willing character actors including Rambo's Richard Crenna, veteran actor Ben Johnson, Charles Durning, Paul Newman's son Scott, the ubiquitous Jill Ireland – Bronson's wife at the time – and finally a young-looking Ed Lauter, who would later team up once more as Bronson's gun-buddy in DEATH WISH 3.
A classic must-see for fans of Bronson, Westerns, mysteries or train movies.
Make sure to see this movie if you like Bronson, Westerns, trains, or Alistair MacClean novels..
***SPOILERS*** Action adventure super star Charles Bronson doesn't disappoint his fans in the movie "Breakheart Pass" as the wanted for arson murder cheating in poker and not paying his dues desperado Deakin.