Breakout (1975)

Director: Tom Gries

Starring: Charles Bronson, Robert Duvall, Jill Ireland, Randy Quaid, Sheree North, Jorge Moreno, Emilio Fernandez

More info: IMDb

Tagline: Sentenced to 28 years in prison for a crime he never committed. Only two things can get him out - A lot of money and Charles Bronson!

Plot: When American businessman Jay Wagner (Duvall) lands in a Mexican jail after being framed for murder by his shady grandfather (Huston), Jay's wife (Ireland) hires maverick pilot Nick Colton (Bronson) to break him out -- a near-impossible task, as Colton soon discovers. Turns out Grandpa's in cahoots with the CIA and the Mexican government and will do everything in his power to keep Jay behind bars.

My rating: 8/10

Will I watch it again? Shit, yeah!

#61 on Project: Badass Charles Bronson

BRONSON'S AGE: 54
LEVEL OF BADASSICITY (10 being the highest): 8

Man, it's been a lot of years since I last saw this. What a great fucking movie! With all of the DEATH WISH-type roles he did in the 70s and 80s he always seemed so serious and King Asskicker. In this one, he's a charmer, a guy who is used to getting what he wants through his quick thinking and wide grin. This one's fun but you'll have to wait quite a bit before Bronson appears to remind you that you'd better be good girls and boys or he'll come and get you. Bronson is in rescue mode, not kill the bad guys mode but he does have a fight that doesn't end well for his opponent.

HOW FUCKING AMAZING WAS THAT??? I had to go back and watch that a few times and in slow motion. My eyes were wet from the tears of delight. If you're looking for a Bronson picture off the beaten path but still satisfies, this is one of them. Here's that scene one more time in case you want to watch it again...