Review: All These Years Later, 'Breakout' Still Entertaining, Funny

First and foremost, the 1975 action-adventure (before that term was generally used), "Breakout," directed by Tom Gries, isn't just for Charles Bronson fans. As with most '70s movies, it contains a lot to recommend it beyond the obvious surface squinty Bronson murderous rampage allure. This time around the body count is minimal and the one major death, near the film's conclusion, is quite extraordinarily filmed – you might find yourself watching it repeatedly, as gruesome as that sounds.

Robert Duvall is slumming here as second lead, playing Jay Wagner, who is being framed for murder by his magnate grandfather (John Huston, riffing on his evil "Chinatown" character). Jay is sentenced to 28 years in a Mexican prison (the reasons for grandad's vengeance are never fully clear). Jay's wife, Ann (Jill Ireland), hires mercenary Nick Colton (Bronson) to break her husband out of prison. Of course, she has no idea that his grandfather is working overtime to keep him incarcerated. Nick comes with his own motley crew, who he enlists to help him. They include Randy Quaid (Oscar nominated for "The Last Detail"), the wonderful and egregiously underrated Sheree North ("Madigan"), and cutie Alan Vint ("Macon County Line").

"Breakout" doesn't break any new ground plot-wise. The film is based on a book by Eliot Asinof, with a decent screenplay by Elliot Baker. The movie was produced by Robert Chartoff and Irwin Winkler, who would win Oscars a year later for "Rocky" and produce "Raging Bull," in 1980. The film was loosely based on an actual event and did quite well at the box office, despite mixed to negative reviews.

But all these years later, "Breakout" holds up as an entertaining, sometimes funny (if you don't mind wince-worthy rape jokes) actioner with a still-spectacular breakout sequence – one that defies any semblance of believability (where are the guards?) and a finale that also leaves a ton of plot holes.

Bronson appears to be having some fun for a change. Ireland, always underused, is quite good. As Mrs. Bronson, she was often dismissed as a nepotistic choice, and her true talents were rarely recognized.

One does wonder if Duvall just needed extra cash, since he does very little, and what he does do is a bit embarrassing.

North is a gem, a true "broad" when we could still use that word in a non-derogatory manner (as I am using it). She's fabulously brazen, and a genuine treat in an underwritten part.

I'll wager that many of the action-adventure filmmakers that infested the '80s screened "Breakout" at least once.

Kino Lorber's Blu-ray looks pretty good, but certain scenes suffer from a washout effect. The sound, though, is clear. Jerry Goldsmith composed the terrific score.

Paul Talbot, a Bronson expert, provides a very informative audio commentary.

Blu-ray Extras Include: