The Gauntlet (1977)
Phoenix cop Ben Shockley is well on his way to becoming a derelict when he is assigned to transport a witness from Las Vegas. The witness turns out to be a belligerent prostitute with mob ties—and incriminating information regarding a high-ranking figure.
- Clint Eastwood
- Richard Hashimoto
- Catalina Lawrence
- Peter L. Bergquist
- Lynn M. Morgan
- Al Silvani
- Michael Butler
- Dennis Shryack
Rating: 6.571/10 by 516 users
Alternative Title:
L'uomo nel mirino - IT
L'Epreuve de force - FR
Rota Suicida - BR
Hetsjakten - SE
Country:
United States of America
Language:
English
Runtime: 01 hour 49 minutes
Budget: $5,500,000
Revenue: $26,400,000
Plot Keyword: sniper, helicopter, prostitute, showdown, ambush, hitman, chase, bus, mexican standoff, freight train, witness, police protection, biker, beating, organized crime, shootout, las vegas, motorcycle, alcoholic, tough cop, betting, gauntlet, corrupt official, extradition, phoenix, arizona
Almost loved it. The opening chunk of 'The Gauntlet' is promising, I liked what I was seeing and what was being crafted together. It never quite reaches the heights I thought it might have, though that doesn't stop the fact that this 1977 film is still very good. Clint Eastwood and Sondra Locke team up yet again, as seen in many other productions from around this era. Of the five I've currently seen with those two, this is the most I've enjoyed them as a pair - especially Locke. Pat Hingle and William Prince are the most noteworthy of the rest. I found the two leads to be entertaining and the plot to be strong fun, there are a lot of neat practical set pieces used which are pleasing. As for things that stopped me from loving this release, one would be the ending - which is good, but could've perhaps been greater - and the villains - who are a little meh, character-wise anyway. All in all, a film that is very much worth watching in my opinion.
