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Breakheart Pass

Breakheart Pass

Thriller · Western · Mystery · 1975

At the height of the frontier era, a train races through the Rocky Mountains on a classified mission to a remote army post. But one by one the passengers are being murdered, and their only hope is the mysterious John Deakin, who's being transported to face trial for murder.

Movie details

Breakheart Pass

“Revenge Mystery Danger Ambush”

1975 Thriller · Western · Mystery 1h 35m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

6.6 / 10

Community rating

At the height of the frontier era, a train races through the Rocky Mountains on a classified mission to a remote army post. But one by one the passengers are being murdered, and their only hope is the mysterious John Deakin, who's being transported to face trial for murder.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over Breakheart Pass?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Flashback

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Tom Gries

Written by

Alistair MacLean

Charles Bronson

Charles Bronson

John Deakin

Ben Johnson

Ben Johnson

Deputy U.S. Marshal Nathan Pearce

Richard Crenna

Richard Crenna

Gov. Richard Fairchild

Jill Ireland

Jill Ireland

Marica Scoville

Charles Durning

Charles Durning

Frank O'Brien

Ed Lauter

Ed Lauter

Major Claremont

Bill McKinney

Bill McKinney

Reverend Peabody

Court is in session

Put Breakheart Pass on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Big-Idea Head

“Form is the argument.”

Every composed frame and deliberate cut is evidence that control can be thrilling in its own right.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Technique in search of a pulse.”

Immaculate construction is still construction. The film may be too busy proving its craft to feel alive.