Having finished reading Alistair MacLean's Breakheart Pass two weeks ago, I put the DVD version at the top of my list at Netflix while the novel is still fresh in my mind. Since MacLean adapted the screenplay himself, released in 1975, I was curious if any changes would be made. It was very faithful to the book until the final shootout, which occurs at the pass rather than at a fort. Of course, the results are the same and predictable. Other than that the changes all are minor except that of the relationship of the Governor and the lady. Instead of uncle and niece, they are engaged to be married. It does not add to or diminish the story. The execution is standard. The film is no more, no less than solid. Its chief attributes are location shooting, which adds authenticity, and a stellar cast that would thrill any movie buff: Charles Bronson, Richard Crenna, Ben Johnson, Ed Lauter, Bill McKinney (one of the rapists in Deliverance {1972}), Dave Huddleston, Roy Jenson, former Minnesota Viking all-pro QB Joe Kapp, former light-heavyweight champion, '52-'60, Archie Moore, and NFL Hall of Fame DE Doug Atkins, a Chicago Bear. Jill Ireland, Mrs. Bronson, has the female lead. Like Bronson's approach to acting, the film is no nonsense, its running time a tight 95 minutes. This is a rare case of a film being better than the book on which it is based -- not by much. I'd guess one would spend one-quarter of the time watching the flick as opposed to reading the novel. Since it is light entertainment, I prefer the cinematic version. On a scale of five, three. It is rated 6.6 of ten at IMDb. I rated the book 2.5.
Make an effort and sometimes it will pay off. It was cold and gloomy this afternoon. I was lucky to get a parking spot in front of the Chase bank, so I set up the floating book shop along the curb and sat in my car, waiting for customers to show. My thanks to the gentleman and lady who purchased five books in Russian between them. By the time I got home, snow flurries were in the air.
Vic's 4th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Horror Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp
Vic’s Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
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