The Chase (1966 film)

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The Chase

Original film poster by Howard Terpning
Directed by Arthur Penn
Produced by Sam Spiegel
Written by Horton Foote (play "The Chase")
Lillian Hellman screenplay (Spiegel had it rewritten)
Starring Marlon Brando
Jane Fonda
Robert Redford
E. G. Marshall
Angie Dickinson
Music by John Barry
Cinematography Joseph LaShelle & Robert Surtees (uncredited)
Editing by Gene Milford
Studio Horizon Pictures
Distributed by Columbia Pictures
Release date(s) February 19, 1966 (1966-02-19)
Running time 133 minutes
Country United States
Language English

The Chase is a 1966 American drama film directed by Arthur Penn, about a series of events set into motion by a prison break. Since one of the two escapees is Charlie "Bubber" Reeves (played by a then-unknown Robert Redford), the escape causes a stir in a nearby town where Bubber is a well-known figure.

The film deals with themes of racism (including scenes in which black men are harassed by white men), sexual revolution (many of the characters are openly engaged in affairs), small-town corruption (the sheriff is falsely assumed to be in the pocket of the man who helped appoint him), and vigilantism (in the form of townspeople who openly defy the sheriff in their search for Bubber). The movie is perhaps best known for a scene in which the sheriff played by Marlon Brando is brutally beaten by three of the vigilantes; Brando would later cite this scene as an example of Method acting.

The film boasts an all star cast headlined by Marlon Brando. Other notable cast members are Jane Fonda, Robert Redford, Angie Dickinson, Miriam Hopkins and Robert Duvall.

Paul Williams thought this movie would be his big break, but after working on the film for 3 months, he had just a small part.[1]

Contents

[edit] Featured cast

Actor Role
Marlon Brando Sheriff Calder
Jane Fonda Anna Reeves
Robert Redford Charlie 'Bubber' Reeves
E. G. Marshall Val Rogers
Angie Dickinson Ruby Calder
Janice Rule Emily Stewart
Miriam Hopkins Mrs. Reeves
Martha Hyer Mary Fuller
Richard Bradford Damon Fuller
Robert Duvall Edwin Stewart
James Fox Jason 'Jake' Rogers
Diana Hyland Elizabeth Rogers
Henry Hull Briggs
Jocelyn Brando Mrs. Briggs
Katherine Walsh Verna Dee
Lori Martin Cutie
Marc Seaton Paul (as Marc Skaton)
Paul Williams Seymour
Clifton James Lem
Malcolm Atterbury Mr. Reeves

[edit] Reaction

[edit] Critical reception

Upon release, the film garnered generally positive reviews from critics. Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reports that 80% critics have given the film a positive review, with a rating average of 6.5/10.

[edit] Box office

The Chase opened to poor box office. Although there was an all star cast, it did not attract the success and audience it needed.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Paul Williams interview. Songfacts. Retrieved July 9, 2007.

[edit] Further reading

  • Parish, James Robert (2006). Fiasco - A History of Hollywood’s Iconic Flops. Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons. pp. 359 pages.. ISBN 978-0-471-69159-4. 

[edit] External links

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