THE SPLIT
US, 1968, 90 minutes, Colour.
Jim Brown, Diahann Carroll, Ernest Borgnine, Julie Harris, Gene Hackman, Jack Klugman, Warren Oates, James Whitmore, Donald Sutherland.
Directed by Gordon Flemyng.
The Split is an efficiently-made heist thriller of the '60s - using Los Angeles locations well, especially the Coliseum. It has the touch of brutality - fashionable at the time.
It is a star vehicle for ex-footballer Jim Brown. He is paired with Diahann Carroll, who was later to have success in television series in the '70s. The supporting case includes Ernest Borgnine and Julie Harris (in a role very surprising for her ladylike stage and screen personality). It was also an early film for Warren Oates, Donald Sutherland and Gene Hackman. Jack Klugman also appears, as does James Whitmore in a brief and repellent role. Music is by Quincy Jones.
1. Satisfying crime thriller?
2. Panavision, Los Angeles locations, the environment of the city? Editing and pace for the robbery and getaway? Musical score and songs?
3. The title, the heist, the partnership, the results? Dishonour amongst thieves?
4. Jim Brown as McLain: tough, his arriving in Los Angeles, friendship with Gladys, meeting Ellie, their broken marriage? His sizing up the members of the gang: the fight with Clinger, the chase in the car, locking Gough in the vault, shooting the assassin? The meeting of the group, the puzzle, their bickering? The agreement?
5. The lyrical interludes between McLain? and Ellie? The build-up for her taking the money? The possibilities? Her murder?
6. Getting the equipment, picking it up? The set-up in the Coliseum, the guards, the counting of the money?
7. The execution of the robbery, the details of the escape, the use of the ambulance, the shooting of the car tyres?
8. Ellie and McLain?, with the money? The landlord and his watching, his lust, violence, his killing Ellie and taking the money?
9. The sketch of the landlord and his brutality, sex, violence, the murder and his phoning in to the police? His being killed by Brill?
10. Clinger and his sports background, brutality and fighting, anger, the final chase?
11. The killer, smooth, his participation in the robbery, in bed with the girl, his death in the steam?
12. The asthmatic, participation in the crime, his being shot in the pursuit?
13. The driver, interested in sports, the getaway, the pursuit, his being shot?
14. Gladys, putting up the money, tough, the meeting, her being killed accidentally?
15. Brill, his shrewdness, the investigation, taking the money, found by McLain? The deal? The pursuit by Clinger and the group? The shoot-out in the factory? The deal with McLain? - his getting away, the promotion in the police force?
16. The final chase and resolution? Satisfying thriller? The puzzle of the woman's voice calling out McLain's name?
