DEATH HUNT

US, 1981, 96 minutes, Colour.
Charles Bronson, Lee Marvin, Angie Dickenson, Andrew Stevens, Carl Weathers.
Directed by Peter Hunt.

Death Hunt was originally a project for director Robert Aldrich who had worked with Marvin and Bronson in The Dirty Dozen. Marvin had also appeared in Emperor of the North. However, there were differences between director and producer and action director Peter Hunt took over. Hunt directed On Her Majesty's Secret Service, Gold, Shout at the Devil (also with Marvin). The result is an action adventure with an emphasis on action rather than potential themes. Bronson is a laconic man of integrity pursued by a posse. Marvin is the alcoholic Mountie who comes to life when challenged by action and adventure. Andrew Stevens is the naive young rookie who has to adapt to the ways of the outposts of the north. Angie Dickinson as a very small role as an available widow. Colour photography is spectacular, the action violent - but it might have been a more significant adventure.

1. An interesting and entertaining action adventure? A film of potential themes: confrontation of the loner with the mindless and violent posse? The way of life of outposts? The role of the law? Heroics? The film based on a true story? The tone of the title - contrasting with the original project: arctic rampage?

2. The use of spectacular arctic scenery? The use within the plot? The grandeur of the north? Dangers? Hostile territory? The outpost towns? The lifestyles - a men's world, ruggedness? Dogfights, drinking, violent pursuit? The widow and the police? The transformation of the young Mountie into a man of this world?

3. The establishing of the situation: the men and the dogfight, Albert Johnson and his intervention, buying the dog? Hazel and his reaction? Violence and greed? His power over the men? Anger, self-assertion after the event? The build-up of fear? His use of law and justice?

4. Charles Bronson as Albert Johnson? The silent heroic type, intervention to save the dog, his visit to the store and his laconic manner, his work, cabin, his relationship with his father? The visit of Luce to warn him? The men approaching and ambushing him? The shooting? The siege and the violence? The cabin exploding? Johnson as sniper? The death of the dog? His escaping, his devices to put off his pursuers? His daredevil jumps etc.? The plane pursuing him? The confrontation with Luce and Luce's death? Millen's letting him go? Covering the truth? A man who was ordinary and considered to be a mythical man becoming a myth?

5. Lee Marvin's style as the alcoholic law-enforcer? His place in the town, his despising of Hazel and the group, friendship with Sundog? Easy administration of justice? Alvin and his college arrival? Vanessa and her availability? Setting up house with her, her deciding to stay? His being forced to hunt Johnson? His coming alive in the pursuit? Fighting the rabble posse? Trying to maintain order and justice? The strategies for pursuing Johnson, the explosion of the cabin? A sense of bond between the two men? His successful pursuit? Seeing Johnson and letting him go? His claiming that the defaced Luce was Johnson?

6. Alvin - the comedy at the expense of the raw college Mountie? His properness? His reaction to the drinking, administration of justice, the law, sexuality? His gradual changing? His drinking? His work with Millen? His inability to shoot Johnson? The clash with Hazel - and Hazel's kissing him and his fighting back? Learning the rugged way of life of the north?

7. Sundog and his memories of New Orleans, his relationship with Buffalo Woman? His loyalty to Millen? His work in the pursuit? His accidental death by the plane and its guns?

8. Hazel and his ruthlessness, his cowardice? Invoking the law for his own purposes? His hold over the group? His attitudes of vengeance? His kissing Alvin and the discussions about his name? The futility of his pursuit?

9. The men in the posse? Characters, clashes, attitudes towards Johnson. trying to trick him? Their deaths?

10. Captain Tucker and his plane, vanity? His flight, pursuit of Johnson, his death?

11. Vanessa and the feminine presence in the outpost town? Intimacy with Millen? His making her decide whether she would stay or not?

12. Themes of frontier life and values., a man's world, strength and violence, pursuit, justice, action challenging people to come- alive, the creation of myths?