Le Solitaire de Fort Humboldt

This western is interesting because it plays with motifs somewhat unconventional for the genre. It combines the classic western polarization of characters and life in the American West with the detective genre, and it must be said that Tom Gries did not disgrace himself. Indeed, Breakheart Pass is a film that you can enjoy if you do not subject the script to critical examination and do not worry about the plausibility of the megalomaniacal conspiracy presented by the screenwriter. It is simply an adventurous fairy tale, where you must with a wink accept numerous scriptwriting shortcuts that the creators use to aid their storytelling. The acting performances are commendable, and I must particularly praise the scene where the steam locomotive climbs steep hills and conquers ancient bridges. Overall impression: 60%. (09/05/2024)

The only thing I knew about Breakheart Pass to this day was that it had top-notch music - well, it’s Jerry Goldsmith, right? I was happy to find out that the entire movie is just like that. It's a perfect adventure story, a western tinged with a crime drama and perhaps even detective fiction, starring the excellent Bronson and atmospheric nature. From the first to the last minute, it’s a thrilling film containing many memorable scenes. (05/08/2012)