Review of The Gauntlet (1977) by Stuart K — 02 Sep 2011
Clint Eastwood's 6th film as a director, coming straight after The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976) and the 3rd Dirty Harry film, The Enforcer (1976), this is a tough cop film with some very good action set pieces for it's day.
It's hard hitting, but with some colourful characters along the way. It has Phoenix cop Ben Shockley (Clint), who is a heavy alcoholic and his job is at stake. But, he gets a job that will get him back in his peers' good books, he's given the job of escorting prostitute Augustina "Gus" Mally (Sondra Locke), from Las Vegas to a pending trial in Phoenix to testify with evidence regarding a mob boss.
However, Gus is convinced someone is out to get them, something Ben is skeptical about, but Gus' worst fears comes true and someone IS out to get them. In particular, nearly every policeman from Las Vegas to Phoenix.
Turns out Phoenix police Commissioner Blakelock (William Prince) is in cahoots with the mob, and wants Ben and Gus dead, by any means necessary, but Ben and Gus use their strength, wits and tenacity to survive.
It's a good action film and the most memorable moments include a helicopter chase, a house getting raized to the ground by bullets, and the armoured bus going through Phoenix. Clint handles the action brilliantly, and is cool as always.
This review of The Gauntlet (1977) was written by Stuart K on 02 Sep 2011.
The Gauntlet has generally received positive reviews.
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