Mother Lode (1982)

To me, this movie is perfection.

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

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

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

Determined hothead airplane pilot Jean Dupre (a fine and credible performance by Nick Mancuso) and the sweet'n'spunky Andrea Spalding (a solid and appealing portrayal by the gorgeous Kim Basinger in an early starring role) find themselves trapped in the expansive Canadian wilderness after their plane crashes while searching for a missing colleague. The pair run afoul of hearty, yet insane, possessive, and reclusive Irish minor Silas McGee and his oddball twin brother Ian. Director Charlton Heston, working from a quirky and engrossing script by his son Fraser, relates the absorbing story at a steady pace, offers a flavorsome evocation of the vast, lush, and desolate sylvan setting, maintains a tough and serious tone throughout, conveys a potent feeling of real danger in the underground tunnel sequences, and delivers a few tense and exciting moments (the plane crash at the beginning in particular is quite startling). Moreover, Heston does first-rate work in a juicy dual role and essays the part of the no-count Silas with deliciously wicked and intense relish. Veteran character actor John Marley lends wonderfully engaging support as wise and crusty old-timer Elijha. The clammy and cramped caves add substantially to the claustrophobic suspense and authentically grimy atmosphere. In addition, there's even a strong central message about how greed and obsession can corrupt a man's soul. Richard Leiterman's sharp cinematography provides an appropriately gritty look, makes inspired use of dim natural light, and comes through with a wealth of striking images of the breathtaking British Columbia countryside. Kenneth Wannberg's moody score hits the brooding and stirring spot. Recommended viewing for those with a taste for something different.

My husband and I have always loved this film. The scenery is beautiful, and Kim Basinger and Charlton Heston were pretty good. It was the first film I'd seen Basinger in, and she made an impression.We always thought it should've gotten more attention than it did. It's a gripping adventure tale with Basinger and Nick Mancuso, who also does a fine job, cast as a young couple set off to the Northwest to search for a missing friend. That friend was looking for gold.Pretty soon, they're on the hunt themselves, befriended by a quirky old miner played by Heston. He plays the menacing, enigmatic character masterfully. You can never quite tell if he's just sort of quirky from having been alone so long, or if he's dangerously unstable.This movie has held up well over time.

Not only do the daylight scenes in this movie visually stun the viewer, but the dark cloak of night or being underground chill to the bone! The dark look of the film is all the more compelling when terror explodes out of the darkness to grip the viewer by the throat, eliciting screams! "Stay the hell outta my mine, laddie!" Why don't they listen . . . ???!!! This movie was incredible. The drama was taut, the frights were well developed and the story was compelling. This movie was a perfect vehicle for Charlton Heston who scared the crap out of me in this film. The script was ideal for him and his style and he was completely believable in this role(s).Strongly recommended!

Dull, dingy and irritating. An incredibly weak script is at the root of this films problems. It really seemed to drag on interminably as various characters pursue each other through barely visible scenes up and down mine shafts. Some nice scenery, shame about the film.