Charles Bronson is Albert Johnson, a man seeking refuge in the Canadian frontier in the 1930s.
He rescues a dog from death during a dog fight, evoking the ire of its owner.
He then kills a man when the owner and his friends come calling, and soon finds himself besieged by Mounties and bounty hunters.
He’s done little but defend himself, and he proves pretty damn good at that as the hunt continues.
Lee Marvin is Sgt. Edgar Millen, an aging Mountie determined that he be the one to bring Johnson in.
Carl Weathers and Andrew Stevens play his sidekicks. And Angie Dickinson has a bit role as Millen’s lover.
Review:
Bronson and Marvin do a fine jobs in roles familiar by now, and the Canadian scenery is a nice switch. Otherwise, nothing special.
The film was loosely based on a real-life Canadian fugitive named Albert Johnson, also known as “The Mad Trapper.”
The hunt for him marked the first time Canadian authorities used aircraft in pursuit of a criminal.
Elizabeth Taylor was reportedly offered the role that eventually went to Angie Dickinson.
Directed by:
Peter R. Hunt
Cast:
Charles Bronson … Albert Johnson
Lee Marvin … Sgt. Edgar Millen
Andrew Stevens … Cons. Alvin Adams
Carl Weathers … Sundog
Ed Lauter … Hazel
Scott Hylands … Capt. Hank Tucker (the pilot)
Angie Dickinson … Vanessa McBride
Henry Beckman … Bill Luse
William Sanderson … Ned Warren
Jon Cedar … Hawkins
James O’Connell … Hurley
Les Lesser … Lewis
Richard Davalos .. Beeler
Maury Chaykin … Clarence
August Schellenberg … Deak De Bleargue
Runtime: 97 min.
Memorable lines:
Hank Tucker: “I’m Captain Hank Tucker, RCAF. I’ve come to bring the fugitive to justice. Where’s headquarters?”
Sgt. Edgar Millen: “Wherever I’m standing.”
Sgt. Edgar Millen: “If anyone’s going to bring in Albert Johnson, it’s going to be me. Not some bounty hunter or some flyboy bucking for promotion.”
Constable Alvin Adams: “Why you? Why are you so special?”
Millen: “He deserves me, not them.”
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