Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #23272 in VHS
• Released on: 1996-11-06
• Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Formats: Color, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of tapes: 1
• Running time: 101 minutes

Customer Reviews

Classic 70s thriller, one of the decade's best
This movie is yet another of the untold examples for why I'd like to pound the heads of the movie production execs. When is this going to be released on DVD? Okay enough ranting, I'll get to the specifics.

A small time hood Macklin (Robert Duvall) is released from prison just in time to find out a couple of killers shot his brother. The bank they robbed was run by the syndicate. Its the classic crime deal gone wrong scenario. When a killer comes after him also, he ruthlessly sets out for revenge with the aid of his friend Cody (Joe Don Baker.)

This thriller moves with contiguous action. There aren't any unnecessary scenes. I credit the fast paced direction of John Flynn (who also co-wrote the excellent script.) This was only his third movie as a director, and believe me, this doesn't contain any of the corny stuff found in "Out To Justice."

Duvall makes a convincing ruthless thug. Its a scary portrayal. There are solid performances all around from an excellent supporting cast, consisting not only of the aforementioned Joe Don Baker, a gorgeous Sheree North (cameo), in addition to three of Hollywood's late great legendary icons of the classic film noir days: Elisha Cook, Jr. (Maltese Falcon, The Big Sleep, The Gangster, et al); Jane Greer (Out of the Past, The Big Steal); and in his last film appearance, the great Robert Ryan (The Set Up, The Racket, et al).

Now if the production companies would stop putting out retarded remakes 60s/70s shows (hello!!!) and give us restored classics like this one our Saturday nite's would always be fly. Criterion, please save us!

Hard Boiled and Hard to Find
This is one of those great seventies crime melodramas, lean and mean, thrilling and amoral. It's got two of the most important elements of these films: pump shotguns and .45s. Duvall and Baker are ruthless and professional pursuing their vendetta. The supporting cast is tremendous, down to the small parts played by many veterans of similar films. Marie Windsor, Elisha Cook, Henry Jones, among others. Felice Orlandi plays a creep named Orlandi, and the great John Milius regular Roy Jensen has a nice moment or two. Best of all, Richard Jaeckel as a retired wheel man waxing about the VW Beetle he wants to hot rod. Look for the luscious Sheree North as a classic moll, and the great Robert Ryan in his last role. One of my faves, Joanna Cassidy, has an early part as Ryan's squeeze. Nothing profound here, just slam bang action. Where the heck is the DVD?????

Tough 1973 Crime / Thriller not on DVD!?
This is one tough little flick. Bobby Duval just want's whats owed him, and with Joe Don Baker proceeds to tear up a mob run by Robert Ryan. Familiar faces include Karen Black, Sheree North, Joanna Cassidy, Richard Jaeckel; even Marie Windsor and Elisha Cook, Jr.! Noir-like in it's outlook, dialog and pacing, it's grim take on humanity is probably of reflection of the collective weariness over Viet Nam and the death of the 60's dream.

Other 70's Crime / Cop shows with strong casts and a similiar attitude include: "Charlie Varrick" (1973) with Walter Matthau, Joe Don Baker, John Vernon, Sheree North, Norman Fell and Benson Fong; "The Stone Killer" (1973) with Charles Bronson, Norman Fell, Ralph Waite, Martin Balsam and Stuart Margolin; and "Rolling Thunder" (1977) with Bill Devane, Tommy Lee Jones and Lew Askew. Of these, only Charlie Varrick made it to DVD, all are worth seeking out.