Charles Buchinsky

Charles Bronson has made fifteen westerns, at least half of which he appears as a Native American. This is interesting only in that Bronson looks absolutely nothing like a Native American-he got typecast by a stereotype. Affectionately known as Ol' Stoneface, Bronson got to play Indian over and over again simply because he talked slowly and never showed emotion. This would be akin to Angelina Jolie being cast as a black woman because she has big lips and an attitude, but I digress.

Everytime I see a Keanu Reeves action-flick I am increasingly convinced that he is trying to be Charles Bronson. He expertly captures the blank expressions, but what Keanu will never understand is that still waters only run deep when you can't see straight through to the bottom. Charles Bronson will never be accused of being transparent: he is a brick wall. If a punching-bag grew arms and fought back, it would be named Charles Bronson.

He has made two classic westerns: Sturges's "The Magnificent Seven" and Leone's "Once Upon a Time in the West." With Harmonica, Bronson created one of the most memorable characters in cinema history--but I've spent too much time talking about that movie on this website, so I'll spare you this time `round.

Bronson made four westerns in 1954 alone, two with director Robert Aldrich ("Apache," "Vera Cruz"). In '56 he appeared in Delmer Daves's "Jubal" a western-ized "Othello" starring Glenn Ford, Ernest Borgnine, and Rod Steiger. Other off-beat Bronson westerns include Sam Fuller's "Run of the Arrow" and "4 For Texas" a goofy Sinatra/Martin comedy also directed by Aldrich.

I just watched "Breakheart Pass," a pseudo-western set on a train steaming through the Rocky Mountains. A decent piece of entertainment from Bronson's Jill Ireland era, "Breakheart Pass" makes the time fly by with cool scenery, an interesting plot, and plenty of action. I might call it a full-blown western were it not for the fact that Bronson plays an undercover secret-service agent (did they even have those during the gold rush?). All of the performances are strong, making this a fine popcorn choice.

The screenplay was written by Alistair MacLean, based on his novel. I've only read one MacLean book: "River of Death," which if I remember correctly, was about a hovercraft going down the Amazon. Or maybe it was H.P. Lovecraft going down on Bunny Glamazon--these things get so muddled in my brain.

"Breakheart Pass" is an official member of the TBS Superstation late-night rotation, so if you've had too much cocaine some night and can't remember how to count sheep, why not give it a shot.

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