Death Hunt (1981)

Sadly Over-hyped

People are voting emotionally.

The acting in this movie is really good.

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

Actually this movie was released the year just prior to that of First Blood...and it contains all the same elements. An innocent man being hunted down by a large posse for a crime he did not commit, rugged mountainous terrain, and death defying stunts by one man's struggle to survive.The viewers sympathy lies with the main character played by Charles Bronson, (Albert Johnson) a lone trapper living in the wilderness, but it also lies with his main pursuer (Sergeant Edgar Millen of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police) played by Lee Marvin. Millen would prefer to simply let Johnson go about his solitary existence, but is forced to try bringing him to justice as a result of his official title as a policeman.This movie not only entertains with all the action and drama of the unfolding chase, but it also gives the viewer a glimpse into the salty existence of the early settlers and rugged mining camps of the north.It is my type of movie and is very well produced. It also contains a great cast that includes the likes of Carl Weathers, Andrew Stevens, Ed Lauter, and Angie Dickenson. Definitely placing it in my Top 30 all time favorites.

"Death Hunt" is a great action flick, make no doubt. It's oddly enjoyable seeing old veterans such as Charles Bronson and Lee Marvin - both in the twilight of their unique careers - chewing up the lush Canadian scenery while involved in a battle of wills during a early 20th century man hunt. But it's the build up to the eventual chase, based on a true story, most viewers will remember from this sadly neglected film. he film, based on a true story (but denounced by many Canadian historians for its' misrepresentation of the facts), takes place in the Yukon Territories in the year 1931. It centers on Albert Johnson (Bronson), a lone trapper who becomes a fugitive, pursued by the doggedly determined Sgt. Edgar Millen, RCMP (Marvin), essentially for a crime he didn't commit. After a run in with a group of less than savory individuals, lead by Hazel (Lauter), Johnson is accused of murder, and the curmudgeonly Millen, with his rookie Mountie (Andrews) in tow, investigate the allegations. Millen suspects Johnson acted in self-defense, and tries to convince Johnson to come peaceably, but a trigger happy member of the posse (one of Hazel's men) spoils those plans, inadvertently bringing the fury down on their collective heads as Johnson, who we learn later, is a WWI veteran, extremely proficient with weapons and trained to survive in nearly any terrain, leads the group on a bloody chase across the snowy, arctic tundra.The scenery is spectacular and the hunt itself becomes almost a circus as cash bounties entice the townspeople to join in. One can feel just how grueling and exhausting the hardships are for everyone who's involved. It does become evident that the hunter and hunted have a certain admiration for each other, two old school guys who's type is nearing extinction, due to changing times. The film is a great chase. You find yourself routing for hunter and hunted alike. With Death Hunt you get great direction, great dialogue, great scenic locations, and wonderful acting. This all adds up to A-plus entertainment.Overall rating: 8 out of 10.

This was one of the last movies that featured real men playing men. From the late 80s onwards, it was the likes of Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt who took over. And now they're even trying to establish wimps like Leo Di Crapio and Matt Damon as tough action heroes. Laughable. Still, sheep all over the world have accepted them, proving that the dumbed-down masses will accept ANYTHING as long as the hype is intense and long enough.Marvin and Bronson were a remnant of the last generation of leading male actors who actually look like alpha males. Just picture Affleck as a tough Mountie, or Ryan Philippe as the tough trapper. However, the good casting isn't the only plus in DH. The scenery is rather nice, the action is okay. It's a straight-forward but pleasant enough movie.One weird thing, though: what the hell was that gay scene all about? The one in which the gang leader force-kisses Marvin's young apprentice. This isn't exactly a prison movie.

This is one of Charles Bronson's more popular vehicles (though I've missed it more than I care to remember in the past!) – as much for his pairing with Lee Marvin as for the tough, snow-bound action of the plot.The film, in fact, is based on true events depicting a bloody manhunt which has gone down in history; ironically, its source seems to have been a trivial argument about possession of a wounded dog! While the location photography is pretty spectacular, the narrative tightly-paced and the action sequences undeniably well-handled (Peter Hunt being a veteran of James Bond movies as both editor and director), it's unfortunate that characterization – the posse grows in number once a bounty is offered for the capture of trapper Bronson – is mostly relegated to unpleasant stock types.Even if both stars (who only get to share one scene) were clearly ageing by this time, they bring conviction to their respective roles: Bronson demonstrates his characteristic quiet fortitude as the hunted man, while Marvin is the experienced and tenacious lawman on his trail (but whose cynicism gives way towards the end to reveal an essential humanism underneath). Angie Dickinson briefly supplies the redundant love interest to Marvin's character; this was the last of their three pairings – the other titles being the far superior THE KILLERS (1964) and POINT BLANK (1967).