The Gauntlet (1977)Plot In A Paragraph: A cop (Eastwood) is assigned to escort a prostitute (Sondra Locke) into custody from Las Vegas to Phoenix, so that she can testify in a mob trial. But a lot of people are literally betting that they won't make it into town alive.Assuming joint actor/director responsibilities for a fifth occasion, Clint Eastwood directed himself and Outlaw Josie Wales costar Sondra Locke in what essentially is a screwball comedy masquerading as an action adventure.The pacing of the movie is tight, the dialogue cracking with crude insults and snappy banter and the action is well staged too. Ben Shockley is no Harry Callaghan (even if they both share s downbeat sense of humour and a grumpy temperament) as unlike the dynamic and instinctive Harry Callaghan, who is always in control and always ready for action, Shockley is an underachieving Buffoon, slow on his feet and slow on the uptake, and blind to the corruption in the police force. Sondra Locke so cute and vulnerable in The Outlaw Josie Wales, does a complete turn around as Gus Mally is feisty and foul mouthed. Once again her character is the victim of a sexual assault. Like Dirty Harry and Kate Moore in The Enforcer, Shockley and Mally are at odds from the start, but slowly and inevitably they earn to each other during the course of the movie. After a decent sized role in The Outlaw Josey Wales, Malpaso regular Bill McKinney was back to a smaller role as a lewd constable. Pat Hingle also has a small but memorable role as Shockleys former partner and William Prince is fine as Blakelock.Once again Jerry Fielding (his third Eastwood movie in a row) does a great job of composing the score, and I need to add this movie has a great poster. The Gauntlet grossed $35 mill at the domestic Box Office to end 1977 as the 14th highest grossing movie of the year.

In 1977's "The Gauntlet" Clint Eastwood directs and stars as Ben Shockley, an irresponsible detective in Phoenix, Arizona. He's assigned the job of going to Vegas and bringing back a hooker, Gus Mally (Sondra Locke), a supposedly "nothing witness for a nothing trial." If this is so, why are so many people determined to kill them? Shockley is a drunk who has no passion for his job and just goes through the motions. He's submissive to his superiors (saying "yes sir" after almost every conversation, even when hung up on), as well as gullible and trusting to a fault. In other words, he's opposite to Dirty Harry in almost every way. Instead he has to be built-up to the Dirty Harry mold and gets there by the last act."The Gauntlet" is quasi-believable like the Dirty Harry pictures, but only to a point; there's so much exaggerated violence it becomes amusing, e.g. the police shooting up a house until it literally collapses. There are also plot holes if you look too closely or too logically. For instance, when the Arizona squad goes to the Nevada border to intercept Shockley & Mally in the police car they just blow it to smithereens and depart without even checking to see if the intended targets were in the vehicle and if they're dead. Thankfully, the movie's so compelling and fun that you simply overlook plot holes and take amusement in the joyous preposterousness of it all.The pacing is great. While the first ten minutes is uneventful drama, introducing us to the characters and basic plot, the next fifteen minutes go into overdrive with one thrilling action scene after another. This keeps up for over an hour of the runtime before taking a breather in preparation for the final act. The riveting action sequences include wild car chases, assassination attempts, spending the night in the desert, an encounter with an outlaw bike gang, a fight on a moving freight train, a chase where their (stolen) motorcycle is pursued by a marksman in a helicopter. And then there's Shockley's final stubborn charge into Phoenix on a bus while hundreds of cops blow holes into the vehicle."The Gauntlet" is a movie that appeals to the teenager in us all. It's hip, raunchy, ultra-violent, cool, absurd and just so darn entertaining from beginning to end. You'll also see some depth that you wouldn't think would be there if you look closely. The two protagonists, for instance, are unlikable trash, but that doesn't mean they're irredeemable. Moreover, love conquers all.If you object to my high rating I'm grading it according to what it is, an outrageous cop thriller with pop-art violence. For what it is, it's a great movie.Locke incidentally starred in six Eastwood flicks in seven years from 1977-1983. While she never really tripped my trigger (not curvy enough) I liked her and she was good in every one of these films, particularly 1983's "Sudden Impact" (my second favorite of the Dirty Harry franchise).The film runs 109 minutes and was shot in Arizona and Las Vegas.GRADE: A

Gets this high rating from me because of the excellent casting, the motorbike scene with Sondra Locke on the back, and, well, for Sondra Locke. She and Clint made an unforgettable couple. No wonder they hitched up in real life. Okay, people following my reviews (both of them) will notice my fascination with Chase movies, DIRTY MARY CRAZY LARRY, OUTLAW BLUES) involving close encounters with the leading lady during the chase. This is one of them. It is also quite likely the most implausible chase movie of the lot. Armour-plate that bus all you want, Clint, what the hell about the tyres? The entire American Police Force and their dogs await that bus, a fusillade ensues, but nobody shoots out the tyres IMMEDIATELY like it would have gone in real life. It's the most ludicrous farcical action scene committed on film and remains glaringly inexcusable, but... but it works so beautifully!The idea of the two who are so at loggerheads way into the movie, is as appealing as the gruff violence against little Gus is unappealing. In a remake of this, the conflict would surely remain verbal, or maybe a little slap or two. But this movie features another favorite theme of mine, the protagonists who are at first in opposite camps, as in THE RAVINE (1969), but then find each other, passion ensuing. It is as it is said, The War Between Men and Women, there is so much fraternization...One of your reviewers, that 339 guy, spoke about a missing scene involving the sadistic law enforcement officer and Gus. He didn't mention details, but while watching DVDs years later after having seen a movie, like decades before, I often remember stuff that then doesn't materialize, and without consulting my DVD, I do remember that perhaps this concerned rape at gunpoint with the barrel of the revolver. If this is what he referred to, he is indeed correct. DVDs are pricey enough for them to carry alternative versions on the movie's menu, which could be ignored by the more squeamish among us.All in all, a most glorious film, despite it being as plausible as the wildest science-fiction.

Watch this if....you don't mind a far fetched action film with Clint Eastwood recycling his role as a run-down, fed up cop. Plenty of over the top action and bullets if that is your thing.Acting/Casting: 6* - You get exactly what you would expect from Eastwood in his lead role as the cop who must get a key witness from Las Vegas to Arizona to testify. He plays the disgruntled, worn out, cop role well, but this is one of his niches. I would have preferred to see a different female lead, but Sondra Locke is serviceable in her role.Directing/Cinematography/Technical: 6* - The movie has some dull spots, but overall has a nice pace. The action is plentiful when it happens, but I would have preferred to see a little more throughout. All considered, the action sequences are still pretty impressive considering it was made in 1977.Plot/Characters: 6* - Vegas has bets down on whether Clint Eastwood can get a key witness from Las Vegas to Arizona alive to testify for a trial and the odds aren't in his favor. The synopsis was intriguing to me, but really was a different take on a very common storyline.Entertainment Value: 6* - Not a must see Eastwood film, but is still fairly entertaining. If you really like Eastwood, then it is likely a movie to see.My Score: 6+6+6+6 = 24/4 = 6.0Email your thoughts to [email protected]