Very very predictable, including the post credit scene !!!

Good , But It Is Overrated By Some

Fantastic!

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

Breakout (1975) ** 1/2 (out of 4) Jay Wagner (Robert Duvall) is convicted of a murder he didn't commit because his evil father-in-law (John Huston) wants him out of the way. His wife Ann (Jill Ireland) decides to try and get him out by going to the tough Nick Colton (Charles Bronson). Nick agrees to take the job and must find a way to break into a Mexican prison and get the husband out.BREAKOUT sounds like an exciting and fun movie but sadly it's pretty flawed and the end result isn't nearly as good as one would have hoped. It's really too bad because you've got a story that was based on a true story and you've got a terrific cast yet the screenplay is somewhat all over the place and even worse is the direction by Tom Gries as it is pretty laid back and there's really not too much style on display.What keeps the film slightly entertaining are the actors. This here is a rather interesting role for Bronson because he's playing the typical tough guy that his fans love but there's another side to this character as he's really a happy-go-lucky type of person. There are countless scenes throughout the movie where Bronson is smiling and having a good time, which is something we don't usually get to see the actor do. I actually thought it was a fine performance and yes it was interesting and fun getting to see him smile.The supporting players have some very recognizable names starting off with Duvall. The screenplay really doesn't do too much with his character because most of the time when we see him he's either in a hospital bed or attacking Ireland. As far as Ireland goes, she too is better than normal here as she does a nice job playing the concerned wife. It was fun seeing Huston in his small role, although, once again, the screenplay really doesn't do much for his character. You've also got Randy Quaid and Sheree North adding some entertainment value.The film's biggest handicap other than the screenplay is the fact that it's just not all that intense. The film takes a good forty-minutes or so to get started and then from here you're basically entertained because of the cast but there's just not enough action, thrills or adventure here. The most memorable thing about the picture happens towards the end when one man meets a plane in a way you wouldn't want to.

"Breakout" is far and away one of the most fun movies ever to showcase Charles Bronson, and the star is in excellent form here, delivering one of his most animated and engaging performances, even showing off some comedic chops. He plays Nick Colton, a carefree bush pilot in Mexico. He's hired by Ann Wagner (Jill Ireland) to try to help her husband Jay (Robert Duvall) escape from prison; Jay was framed for murder by his scheming grandfather Harris (John Huston), who wanted to get his grandson out of his hair. After two of his escape plans go awry, Nick vows that he will succeed in this endeavour. He's helped by friends such as "Hawk" Hawkins (Randy Quaid) and Myrna (Sheree North), the sultry wife of Nicks' lawman associate Spencer (Roy Jenson). Very well shot in Panavision at striking French and Spanish locations, "Breakout" is a very agreeable diversion, with capable direction by Tom Gries, who would re-team with Bronson for "Breakheart Pass" the following year. Part of what makes it so appealing is the healthy amount of comedy and seeing the iconic cinema tough guy play a more lighthearted role than usual. As one can see, he's ably assisted by a strong supporting cast. Duvall is quite low key in the role of the frame-up victim, while Quaid offers a fairly restrained performance as the sidekick. Ireland is lovely as always and she and real- life husband Bronson set off some believable sparks together. Huston is delicious although he's also a little under utilized; the fact that his character never gets a good payoff unfortunately detracts a little from the overall satisfaction that the movie provides. North provides delectable eye candy, and the cast also includes Emilio Fernandez, Paul Mantee, Alan Vint, Alejandro Rey, and Sidney Clute. This may not have that many action sequences, but this really is more of a drama than anything, and what action there is, is expertly done, with splendid aerial photography. It also isn't particularly violent EXCEPT for one very nasty comeuppance for Harris's villainous acquaintance. Worth noting are the typically exceptional score by Jerry Goldsmith, the priceless scene of seeing Randy Quaid in drag as a Mexican prostitute, and the fact that this was actually inspired by a true story. This may not compare with the best films from Bronsons' filmography, but it's still solidly entertaining and does deserve to be better known. Seven out of 10.

I liked this movie when I saw it when it first came out, and it wasn't anything special, or so I thought, but when I compare it to most of the movies I've seen lately, it, along with so many of the action type movies, were special, and so much better than most of the crap I've seen over the last 10 years or so. I watched Mr. Majestyk a few nights ago, it's always been one of my favorite Bronson movies, and this one was right up there too. The movies anymore seem to either be full of special effects with no story, or inferior rehashes of older better movies. What point is there of remaking old non special effect movies? Every time they do it, it's almost always a failure. Look at "The Getaway", the 1972 one was great, just for the casting alone (Ali Mcgraw doesn't count, she's just bad in everything), but the remake was just horrible. It's not like I hate all movies made now, but a lot of them are really just not done very well at all, story wise.

Recently I saw BREAKOUT again (I think the 3rd time in app. 20 years) and I liked it even more than I did remember! It's a really pleasant lightweight action-"comedy" and it shows a side of CHUCK, which many people have forgotten over the years: that he's a humorous guy and loves a smile once in a while.When CHUCK made this one, he was the hottest ticket on earth. DEATH WISH I, the movie which defined the 70ies (alongside with THE GODFATHER), had drawn lines in front of cinemas and made millions and millions around the globe and the one he did right after that box-office smash was BREAKOUT. His status as # 1 box-office star also shows in this perfectly made movie, it has one of the best camera-works in any Bronson-movie and the supporting cast (Bob Duvall, John Huston, Randy Quaid, ...) is stellar and does a wonderful job, too. The music is composed by Jerry Goldsmith, who did quite a number of other scores for Bronson-movies, and Goldsmith is at the peak of his creative powers in the early to mid-70ies. The no-nonsense direction is delivered by veteran-director Tom GRIES, who made BREAKHEART PASS with CHUCK a little later (another nice one, but not as good as this movie).Of course the story is nothing special, just another prison-flight-movie, but that's not the point. Dismissed as lightweight entertainment, critics in the 70ies (when great action-pics were not uncommon, contrary to today) completely overlooked the above achievements and turned down the wonderful good-natured performance CHUCK delivers in this one.Just take the scene, in which nose-up Jille IRELAND arrives at his lot, Randy Quaid is just burning stinking fish (!) and a dirty Bronson with a smile (and a worthless cheque) engages in truly funny dialogue with his real-life wife. BREAKOUT has many such moments and the action scenes, which come in at a perfect timing, are also well-staged and well-delivered.Looking at this movie, one can't resent the idea that everybody on the set must have had a great time and any audience will have the same great time watching CHUCK smile and deliver a truly beautiful performance while kicking ass only once in a while in this rather untypical Bronson-movie.