The Gauntlet (1977)

The Worst Film Ever

Slow pace in the most part of the movie.

Simple and well acted, it has tension enough to knot the stomach.

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

In 1977's "The Gauntlet" Clint Eastwood directs and stars as Ben Shockley, an irresponsible detective in Phoenix, Arizona. He's assigned the job of going to Vegas and bringing back a hooker, Gus Mally (Sondra Locke), a supposedly "nothing witness for a nothing trial." If this is so, why are so many people determined to kill them? Shockley is a drunk who has no passion for his job and just goes through the motions. He's submissive to his superiors (saying "yes sir" after almost every conversation, even when hung up on), as well as gullible and trusting to a fault. In other words, he's opposite to Dirty Harry in almost every way. Instead he has to be built-up to the Dirty Harry mold and gets there by the last act."The Gauntlet" is quasi-believable like the Dirty Harry pictures, but only to a point; there's so much exaggerated violence it becomes amusing, e.g. the police shooting up a house until it literally collapses. There are also plot holes if you look too closely or too logically. For instance, when the Arizona squad goes to the Nevada border to intercept Shockley & Mally in the police car they just blow it to smithereens and depart without even checking to see if the intended targets were in the vehicle and if they're dead. Thankfully, the movie's so compelling and fun that you simply overlook plot holes and take amusement in the joyous preposterousness of it all.The pacing is great. While the first ten minutes is uneventful drama, introducing us to the characters and basic plot, the next fifteen minutes go into overdrive with one thrilling action scene after another. This keeps up for over an hour of the runtime before taking a breather in preparation for the final act. The riveting action sequences include wild car chases, assassination attempts, spending the night in the desert, an encounter with an outlaw bike gang, a fight on a moving freight train, a chase where their (stolen) motorcycle is pursued by a marksman in a helicopter. And then there's Shockley's final stubborn charge into Phoenix on a bus while hundreds of cops blow holes into the vehicle."The Gauntlet" is a movie that appeals to the teenager in us all. It's hip, raunchy, ultra-violent, cool, absurd and just so darn entertaining from beginning to end. You'll also see some depth that you wouldn't think would be there if you look closely. The two protagonists, for instance, are unlikable trash, but that doesn't mean they're irredeemable. Moreover, love conquers all.If you object to my high rating I'm grading it according to what it is, an outrageous cop thriller with pop-art violence. For what it is, it's a great movie.Locke incidentally starred in six Eastwood flicks in seven years from 1977-1983. While she never really tripped my trigger (not curvy enough) I liked her and she was good in every one of these films, particularly 1983's "Sudden Impact" (my second favorite of the Dirty Harry franchise).The film runs 109 minutes and was shot in Arizona and Las Vegas.GRADE: A

Clint Eastwood pays Ben Shockley, a tough, hard-drinking, washed up and not overly effective cop. Not much is expected of him, yet he's assigned to escort a "nothing" witness (feisty hooker "Gus" Mally, played by Eastwoods' gal pal of the era, Sondra Locke) to a "nothing" trial. However, he'll find that the truth is different from what he's been told, and that there are powerful people who will not want to see him accomplish his mission.The movie, which works as something of a predecessor to "Midnight Run", is well shot (by Rexford L. Metz) in Panavision, and adequately paced. It has just as many decent character moments as it does thrills. The action is deliberately made to be way over the top, with tons of bullets pumped into a house, a car, and, eventually, a bus. So, as an exercise in excess, "The Gauntlet" does do its job.Clint is fine as always. He still exhibits a trademark cool and his character displays an unexpected tenacity: he's going to prove that he's a better cop than people (including himself) might believe him to be. And Locke actually does just fine, in one of her better roles. You do like her more as the story plays out, and she and Clint work well together.The supporting cast is excellent, especially Pat Hingle as Shockley's old friend and colleague Josephson. "Deliverance" villain Bill McKinney has a memorable role as a constable forced to drive Ben and Gus to a rendezvous. Other familiar faces include William Prince as the police commissioner, Michael Cavanaugh as the assistant D.A., Mara Corday as a jail matron, Doug McGrath as a bookie, Jeff Morris as a desk sergeant, and Roy Jenson as one of the three vindictive bikers.The amount of firepower unleashed in this thing is truly mind-boggling. The final set piece is pretty damn intense, but there's a well executed helicopter / motorcycle chase preceding it that is exciting. It's true enough that "The Gauntlet" defies credibility at times, but those Clint fans just hoping for some good non-think entertainment should be satisfied with the amount of action doled out.Seven out of 10.

Clint Eastwood directs and stars as alcoholic and undistinguished Phoenix cop Ben Shockley, who is given a seemingly routine assignment of escorting a prisoner(Sondra Locke) from Las Vegas back to Phoenix to stand trial. Shockley then learns that his prisoner is really a witness set to testify against the mob, and that there is even public betting on him losing her! Shockley then decides he will bring in his witness, no matter how many attempts on their lives are made(and corruption in the police department is revealed), even if they have to drive an armored-plated bus(and survive the gauntlet of police) by city hall to safety.Though filled with action, and peppered with salty dialogue, this film becomes increasingly preposterous, leading to a truly stupid, heavy handed finale. So bad it is almost good; certainly a cult classic.

Watch this if....you don't mind a far fetched action film with Clint Eastwood recycling his role as a run-down, fed up cop. Plenty of over the top action and bullets if that is your thing.Acting/Casting: 6* - You get exactly what you would expect from Eastwood in his lead role as the cop who must get a key witness from Las Vegas to Arizona to testify. He plays the disgruntled, worn out, cop role well, but this is one of his niches. I would have preferred to see a different female lead, but Sondra Locke is serviceable in her role.Directing/Cinematography/Technical: 6* - The movie has some dull spots, but overall has a nice pace. The action is plentiful when it happens, but I would have preferred to see a little more throughout. All considered, the action sequences are still pretty impressive considering it was made in 1977.Plot/Characters: 6* - Vegas has bets down on whether Clint Eastwood can get a key witness from Las Vegas to Arizona alive to testify for a trial and the odds aren't in his favor. The synopsis was intriguing to me, but really was a different take on a very common storyline.Entertainment Value: 6* - Not a must see Eastwood film, but is still fairly entertaining. If you really like Eastwood, then it is likely a movie to see.My Score: 6+6+6+6 = 24/4 = 6.0Email your thoughts to [email protected]