 |
'The Gauntlet' is about par for the course for a 1970's action movie. Clint Eastwood directs and also stars as Phoenix cop Ben Shockley, who is a bit of a drunk, a bit slow on the uptake and considered a screwup by most, but nonetheless a decent enough human being. When the new police commissioner, Blakelock, assigns Shockley to go to Las Vegas and escort prisoner Augustine "Gus" Mally for a "nothing trial," Shockley grumbles a bit but thinks little of it. Once in Vegas, though, Shockley quickly discovers people are trying to kill his prisoner. And him. After a few narrow escapes involving car bombs, the mob and a slew of corrupt cops, Shockley realizes the "nothing trial" is that of an important mob boss, and worse, that Commissioner Blakelock is on the take! Taking a Vegas cop hostage, Shockley forces him to drive them to the Arizona border, determined to get Gus safely back to Phoenix to testify so she can bring down Blakelock and his mafioso buddies. But it's a long way from Las Vegas to Phoenix. En route, Shockley and Gus will have to face down more corrupt coppers, a biker gang with rapacious intent, and a mob sniper in a helicopter. Along the way, he and Gus fall in love. It all ends in an explosive (and frankly ridiculous) finale in Phoenix as Shockley drives through the title gauntlet - hundreds of armed SWAT officers - driving an armored bus! Will good triumph over evil? 'The Gauntlet' is a dumb movie, in that almost nothing that happens is credible in the least. The sheer amount of cops who are either crooked or willing to mindlessly obey their clearly insane superior(s) to gun down a fellow officer and a woman for no good reason, is nothing short of idiotic. That said, 'The Gauntlet' is an exciting, fun film with stellar performances from Clint Eastwood and a great supporting cast, and some wonderfully staged, inventive action sequences (the helicopter chase and the armored bus stand out as classics). The DVD is bare bones, sadly, with no special features, and the transfer is a bit on the soft and murky side. Nonetheless, it's child's play to make out what is happening onscreen so the slightly iffy visual quality does nothing to diminish the viewing experience.Read full review
I always like Clint Eastwood movies. This one has plenty of action and is fast moving. Filmed among the days of Clint's Dirty Harry era. But remember he is not -repeat not Dirty Harry in this one. Eastwood plays a cop named Ben Shockley who is a totally different character. The end is totally unbelievable, but satisfying. Sondra Locke is also along for the ride-basically I just like the action in this film as well as the acting. Not suggested for kids. The audio and sharpness of the picture quality in my opinion could have been upgraded better. I decided to buy it because I wanted it on DVD. The only other copy I have is on an old VHS Tape. The DVD picture is close to the same as my VHS with just a slight upgrade in sharpness, and the vocals when the talking goes on are a little low, however for the price it's a very worthwhile buy. A good Clint Eastwood film and I do recomended the film with a good rating.Read full review
One of my favorite movies. I wish I could find the edited version for television. I like everything about the movie (especially the story itself), but I don't like the added offensive language, the police officer's sexual harrassment of Augusta, and the nude scene that involved sexual content that was definitely something that I wouldn't want my children to see. I have to fast forward that section. It ruins the flow and awesomeness of the movie. Why do they always have to try to stuff in the profane, the offensive, and the filth. You don't have to be dirty to be good. The movie is a 5 except for the filth that they have added. Whoever is responsible for adding that mess ruined an otherwise super good movie. I wouldn't let my children watch this unless I was there to fast forward the scenes that I am talking about.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
The movie is very entertaining also interesting to watch. Clint is really good in any of his movies since his early days of acting. I like watching him in amy movie that I have watched.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
Had to complete my ‘70’s Eastwood movie collection and a copy of the Gauntlet did it. The story is a good one and his driving through a hale of bullets in a steel enforced Greyhound bus as an honest cop was quite the sight in the ‘70s cop genre. If you like Dirty Harry movies you will like this one.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Best Selling in DVDs & Blu-ray Discs
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Save on DVDs & Blu-ray Discs
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- You may also like
