- Oh, the guy who directed this, Franklin J. Schaffner, directed PATTON, BOYS FROM BRAZIL, and PLANET OF THE APES. Wow, he's a good director. Definitely a master of the widescreen composition and 'cast of hundreds', maybe even an under-appreciated master, as I don't seem to hear too much about him.
- Very much a big-budget B-movie. A simple plot driven by 'one damn thing after another' splashed on a big canvas with a great score, acting, and scenery.
- Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman act with a certain quirkiness which keeps things pretty light, and yet a single expression on their faces displays years of suffering. I can't think of any modern actors who could step in their shoes. I guess George Clooney, with a healthy dash of his Coen bros. kookiness.
- 'Jerry Goldsmith' always meant 'ALIEN' to me. Now, after this and PATTON, I realize he was truly one of the greats. Not only is the score during the trip to Honduras absolutely beautiful, but for two reels or so Goldsmith and the images alone power the story. Melodic and really...transporting.
Anyway, great Sunday afternoon flick.
- Very much a big-budget B-movie. A simple plot driven by 'one damn thing after another' splashed on a big canvas with a great score, acting, and scenery.
- Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman act with a certain quirkiness which keeps things pretty light, and yet a single expression on their faces displays years of suffering. I can't think of any modern actors who could step in their shoes. I guess George Clooney, with a healthy dash of his Coen bros. kookiness.
- 'Jerry Goldsmith' always meant 'ALIEN' to me. Now, after this and PATTON, I realize he was truly one of the greats. Not only is the score during the trip to Honduras absolutely beautiful, but for two reels or so Goldsmith and the images alone power the story. Melodic and really...transporting.
Anyway, great Sunday afternoon flick.
