BREAKOUT

US, 1975, 96 minutes, Colour.
Charles Bronson, Robert Duvall, Jill Ireland, Randy Quaid, Sheree North, Alan Vint, John Huston.
Directed by Tom Gries.

There are recognised conventions for a Charles Bronson thriller; tough, laconic hero, a dangerous task, double-dealing on the way and, in the last few films, a more humane touch. This is clearly the pattern of this Mexican prison-break adventure. It depends for its success on generating tension and suspense, which it does, and on Bronson's imposing presence. This time, while he is the skilful one, he is helped by a number of interesting minor characters played by Sheree North, Randy Quaid and Alan Vint who give some feeling to the plot. Some of the helicopter action sequences help this to be quite good entertainment of its kind.

1. Was this a good Charles Bronson adventure action film? What are the typical ingredients? Why do audiences enjoy these films? What are their expectations? How well are they fulfilled?

2. Comment on the dates, structure of the film. Did it add a sense of realism? The use of locations, the atmosphere of rich and poor and the contrast? The background of the police, New York, Mexico? The initial victimization and murder during the credit sequence? An indication of things to come?

3. How did the title communicate the theme? The atmosphere of prisons and the need to escape? How well was this communicated via Wagner? Nick and the resourcefulness and the need to get someone out of prison?

4. The overall structure of the film for audience interest and suspense? The situation, the plans, the failed attempts, the expert and his failures, the growing tension and the plan, the execution of the plan, the almost failure, success? Audience response to these phases?

5. The attitude to the initial framing of Wagner? The grandfather's discussion after the escape? The sinister aid? The brutality of the Chilean arrest? The Mexican prison? How did this direct audience sympathies?

6. Was the audience interested in Harris Wagner? As a person, as a victim? His relationship with his wife? His treatment in the prison? The attempt to escape and use his influence? The fear of being buried alive? His changing in prison? His desperation, illness, suspicion of his wife? His decision to escape? His cringing at the end? What insight into a tycoon put in such a position?

7. Anne and her motivations? Her pursuit of rescuing her husband? Her relationship with Coltin? Her not taking advice? Her fidelity to her husband? A conventional heroine or not?

8. Charles Bronson and his style for the hero? The professional, fallible, strong? His motivation? His relationship with Hawk? Not telling him the truth about the money? His employing Mooner and Harvey? His reaction in not knowing the real situation? Risking his life? The dare to be daring? His skill in the plan and its execution? Audience sympathy for him with the money at the end?

9. The minor characters and their contribution to the film: Hawk and his relationship to Coltin, his dressing up and attempting to communicate information, bashing, his ultimate help? Spence and his role as a sheriff, not wanting his wife degraded? Myrna and her attitudes towards sex and money? Harvey and his not wanting to be involved because of his marriage? Their contribution to the human interest of the film? To the execution of the plot?

10. The sense of final achievement?

11. The excitement at the airport and the immanent danger? The violent resolution, followed by happy comedy? Appropriate for this film?

12. What values are taken for granted as right and wrong? Survival, money relationships in this kind of film? How well were they illustrated?