Rod Steiger typically ratchets up the intensity in this interesting revenge thriller from director Burt Kennedy, a filmmaker who mostly made Westerns. Kennedy also wrote this one, about a quartet of WWII veterans who gather for an outing at a hunting lodge. Soon after they arrive, they learn that the regular caretaker is away, and taking his place is a young man (David Huffman), who turns out to be a Vietnam War deserter. Naturally, this doesn't sit well with group leader Charlie (Steiger), a former Marine who lost his son Danny in Vietnam. Things get very ugly before long.
I think it's way too bad that some viewers will feel put off by an admittedly slow first half. It's good that Kennedy and company take their time to allow us to get to know these characters, and to not paint them in only broad strokes. Even David, a character whom some in the audience will feel inclined to despise, is not rendered merely one dimensional. You do, however, feel the incredible tension in the environment slowly getting worse and worse, and know that there's going to be Hell to pay as Steiger gives Huffman more than just a piece of his mind. In a sense, the film is largely predictable, but it's compelling nevertheless, and in the end there is not just murder in the cards, but rape as well. David has a sweet, sexy girlfriend named Linda (played by Robin Mattson, who did her share of exploitation features in the 70s and went on to become a soap opera regular).
It's all very sobering and very sad, with a grim feeling of inevitability hanging over the entire proceedings.
Steiger is great, and gets some opportunities to really sink his teeth into his material and dialogue. Huffman is fine as well. A trio of top character actors - Jerry Hardin ('The X-Files') as worry wart Wilbur, Paul Mantee ("Robinson Crusoe on Mars") as the macho Sweeney, and Richard Herd ("Trancers") as the amiable George - round out the minimal acting ensemble.
Although set in Canada, it may surprise some to learn that the film was actually shot in Mexico!
Eight out of 10.
I think it's way too bad that some viewers will feel put off by an admittedly slow first half. It's good that Kennedy and company take their time to allow us to get to know these characters, and to not paint them in only broad strokes. Even David, a character whom some in the audience will feel inclined to despise, is not rendered merely one dimensional. You do, however, feel the incredible tension in the environment slowly getting worse and worse, and know that there's going to be Hell to pay as Steiger gives Huffman more than just a piece of his mind. In a sense, the film is largely predictable, but it's compelling nevertheless, and in the end there is not just murder in the cards, but rape as well. David has a sweet, sexy girlfriend named Linda (played by Robin Mattson, who did her share of exploitation features in the 70s and went on to become a soap opera regular).
It's all very sobering and very sad, with a grim feeling of inevitability hanging over the entire proceedings.
Steiger is great, and gets some opportunities to really sink his teeth into his material and dialogue. Huffman is fine as well. A trio of top character actors - Jerry Hardin ('The X-Files') as worry wart Wilbur, Paul Mantee ("Robinson Crusoe on Mars") as the macho Sweeney, and Richard Herd ("Trancers") as the amiable George - round out the minimal acting ensemble.
Although set in Canada, it may surprise some to learn that the film was actually shot in Mexico!
Eight out of 10.