Breakout [Blu-ray]

Director: Tom Gries Tom Gries

Overview

The star-director team of Charles Bronson and Tom Gries (Breakheart Pass) combine their efforts again on Breakout. Bronson plays Nick Colton, a reckless pilot who heads to an unnamed South American country, in hopes of rescuing imprisoned Jay Wagner (Robert Duvall). Villain Harris Wagner (John Huston), who has framed Jay, has an unlimited supply of henchmen at his disposal, but they're no match for the dauntless Colton. Jill Ireland, Bronson's real-life wife, costars as Duvall's missus.

Product Details

Release Date:	04/26/2022
UPC:	0738329258535
Original Release:	1975
Rating:	PG
Source:	Kl Studio Classics
Language:	English
Time:	1:37:00

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Charles Bronson	Nick Colton
Robert Duvall	Jay Wagner
Jill Ireland	Ann Wagner
John Huston	Harris Wagner
Randy Quaid	Hawk Hawkins
Sheree North	Myrna
Alejandro Rey	Sanchez
Paul Mantee	Cable
Roy Jenson	Spencer
Alan Vint	Helicopter Pilot
Jorge Moreno	Soza
Sidney Clute	Henderson
Emilio Fernandez	The Warden

Technical Credits

Howard B. Kreitsek

Marc Norman

Elliott Baker

Ronald Buck	Executive Producer
Robert Chartoff	Producer
Tom Gries	Director
Augie Lohman	Special Effects
Irwin Winkler	Producer
Howard B. Kreitsek	Screenwriter
Marc Norman	Screenwriter
Elliott Baker	Screenwriter

Editorial Reviews

This Charles Bronson vehicle isn't one of the star's more demanding roles, but it's fairly entertaining nonetheless. Breakout is basically a B-movie with A-movie resources: the plot is old fashioned adventure stuff tarted up with a nice budget and some name acting talent like Robert Duvall and John Huston. The script is a bit wobbly -- the finale leaves some loose ends dangling and the film's caricatured treatment of its Mexican villains isn't likely to endear itself to the politically correct -- but it makes up for these flaws with plenty of action and some amusing characters. Bronson gives an energetic, surprisingly comedic performance as the film's hard luck hero and Randy Quaid and Sheree North add a welcome touch of color as his low-rent partners in crime. Duvall and Huston are rather wasted in their limited roles, but their presence lends some added class to the proceedings. Capping it all off is sturdy direction from Tom Gries -- he manages to gloss over the story's simplistic nature by attacking it with vigor and style, especially during the taut prison-break finale. His efforts are furthered nicely by rich, widescreen photography from Lucien Ballard and a rousing, Spanish-tinged score by Jerry Goldsmith. All in all, Breakout probably won't win Charles Bronson any new fans, but his existing fanbase will find it to be a fun if modest diversion.

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