Death Hunt [DVD] [Import]

This is an excellent action film, one of the best ever made and one of my all times favourites! Below, more of my impressions, with some limited SPOILERS:1. The inspiration.This film was inspired by real events. In July 1931, a man calling himself "Albert Johnson" settled on board of Rat River in Northwest Territories in Northern Canada. The man was a kind of irascible hermit, living from what he hunted or gathered in the woods and avoiding all human contact. Soon some local Indians complained that he regularly destroyed their traps and/or stole animals caught in them. On 31 December 1931 four Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) troopers came to his cabin with a search warrant - but "Johnson" refused to let them in or even talk to them and instead opened fire, badly wounding one the policemen. Reinforcements were called and a long shootout began, after which "Johnson's" cabin was destroyed with dynamite - but he himself survived. Short on amunitions and concerned by the approaching blizzard, the policemen had to retreat. They were able to return only two weeks later - but "Johnson" was nowhere to be found.RCMP trackers managed finally to find his new hideout in the woods on 30 January 1932 but in a new shooting battle the fugitif bested the policemen, killed one of them and forced them to retreat again. From that moment this manhunt became front page news in Canadian press and the man was nicknamed "Mad Trapper of Rat River". The RCMP hired volunteers from local Indian tribes and also deployed at least one airplane (a first in police operations in Canada). The RCMP also blocked mountain passes to prevent the fugitif from escaping into neighboring province of Yukon. To general surprise "Johnson" managed nevertheless to cross the mountains anyway, passing at high altitude in the middle of snow storms!At that moment more planes were mobilised to try to follow the tracks of the "Mad Trapper" and finally it was one of the pilots who led the RCMP to the ultimate hiding place of the fugitif. On 17 February 1932, on board of Eagle River in Yukon territory, a new shootout took place in which one of the policemen was grievously wounded - but "Johnson" himself was killed. During all the time of manhunt and during all the three gunfights "Johnson" was never heard saying one single word...The name "Albert Johnson" was quickly discovered to be an alias - but the police was never able to find who really was that man.2. The "Death Hunt" compared to the real story.This film changed very, very considerably the story, by showing "Johnson" (Charles Bronson) as indeed an almost totally silent hermit who limits his contact with other people to the strict minimum, but who is otherwise harmless, until the day he enters in conflict with some local bullies. In fact in the film "Johnson" initially is more a victim of agression than a crazed murderer. Also, the character of the pilot who tracked "Johnson" is in this film completely changed - and finally, we learn the "true identity" of the fugitif in the end. There are also some other changes and extra developments, which you will have to discover by yourself.3. The cast.Charles Bronson as "Johnson" and Lee Marvin as the grizzled, hard drinking "Mountie" who leads the manhunt would be already reason enough to see this film, as it was their first colaboration since "Dirty dozen" fourteen years earlier - and also the last one... Angie Dickinson appears also here and she is as always gorgous and awesome - and finally Carl Weathers plays here a black "Mountie" named George Washington Lincoln Brown...))) (but everybody calls him "Sundog" for short). This ensemble cast makes this film a real must.4. The visual aspect and action scenes.Those are two greatly successful aspects of this film. The deadly beauty of Canadian North in winter is shown here in all its lethal majesty - and the action scenes, although short, are excellently filmed.5. Relation to the first "Rambo"The character of Rambo was created in 1972 by writer David Morrell, as main hero of his debut novel "First blood". The plans to adapt this book for cinema began almost immediately but for a whole bunch of reasons nothing really happened for nine years. Then, the director of "Death Hunt" used some of the ideas of "First blood" in his own film (you will have to find by yourself which ones) and it finally pushed the producers of "Rambo" to finalise their own project, not willing to see other similar films spoiling the market. For that reason the first "Rambo" finally was made and released in 1982 - and its director took a little revenge on his competitors by literally copying a couple of scenes from "Death Hunt" into his own film...CONCLUSION: for all amateurs of action films, for all fans of Lee Marvin and Charles Bronson and for all guys (this is REALLY NOT a chick flick) who like good cinema - this is a must! Go get it and enjoy watching it and re-watching it!

Two of 'Hollywood's' ''War-Horses from yesteryear 'Lee Marvin' and 'Charles Bronson'face each other down in this movie based on real events that took place in the depthsof a Canadian winter, December '31.After an incident that saw trapper 'Albert Johnson' (Charles Bronson) kill a man in selfdefence.The Incident leads to a reluctant 'Sergeant Edgar Miller' (Lee Marvin) give chase of thetrapper with a heavily armed posse in tow.'Albert' has been warned of the pursuit by a fellow trapper and prepares for the onslaught.After a fierce fire-fight along with the whole Nation watching on, 'Albert' escapes into thefrozen wasteland and Mountain region.Four of the remaining posse including the Sergeant give chase, eventually despite what'sgoing on around them, 'Edgar' is forced to track the trapper on foot.Survival becomes King.Other members of the cast list includes - 'Andrew Stevens' 'Carl Weathers' and 'AngieDickinson'This is a gritty and no-nonsense movie, well worth a spin.Footnote -It's been many years since I last watched this 1981 movie, I'd forgotten just how good it was,a fellow reviewer 'Caligula' reminded me of the movie.....

Great action - great actors and actresses - marvellous scenery and a good story - reminded me of first blood in a way.Maybe it was the leap on to the trees? Maybe it was an ex soldier being hunted fro no real reason. Put your fire on - grab a warm drink and enjoy the picturesque yet freezing setting.

Good combination of actors for the job of telling the adventurous and true story of a dog lover who like myself finds repugnant the cruel and totally senseless so called sport of dog baiting the mindless violence involved of my fellow human beings who should really know better their are no bad dogs only people who cannot lovingly rear and properly train them

Yes it's a wee bit grainy for a BluRay but a brilliant movie and refreshing no CGI needed. Really enjoyed the voice over as well. story based on the manhunt of Albert Johnson and has great scenery. Bronson and Marvin make the movie. Remember folks it's an american import and won't play on your bog standard .....well worth buying and I'll watch many times

Bought the DVD after I saw this film on T.V. years ago, Lee Marvin is a Mountie chasing wrongly accused Charles Bronson, over the Candian plains, Great film.

Death Hunt is a Good movie. Perhaps a bit strange in places.but Charles bronson always keeps me interested.Lee Marvin adds to it. Dvd picture is good as well as the sound.☆

arrived 15/2/19 disc in very good condition have not played yet but so far pleased thank you