The Chase (1966)

February 18, 1966 (US) • Crime, Drama • 135m

Overview

The escape of Bubber Reeves from prison affects the inhabitants of a small Southern town.

Director

Marlon Brando

Keywords

prison sheriff escaped convict house party man hunt jump from train criminal alcohol abuse hatred getaway lynch mob oil baron drunkenness

Where to watch

Rent

Buy

Top Billed Cast

Crew

Reviews

Wuchak

⭐ 6/10

August 16, 2025

**_A Southern town given to drunken revelry & vigilantism with Brando as the voice of reason_**

Bubber Reeves (Robert Redford) escapes from prison and this affects the populace of an East Texas town. Marlon plays the sheriff who tries to track down Bubber's whereabouts while Angie Dickinson is on hand as his supportive wife. Jane Fonda plays Bubber's ex-girlfriend and James Fox her secret beau. Janice Rule appears as a drunken woman of dubious morality, Robert Duvall her hubby, and Richard Bradford one of the men with whom she cheats.

"The Chase" is mid-60's Southern Gothic in the manner of "The Fugitive Kind" (1960), "In the Heat of the Night" (1967), "Cape Fear" (1962), "This Property Is Condemned" (1966) and "The Long, Hot Summer" (1958). It's arguably on par with most of these, but is significantly superior to the last one. The first act is weak as it establishes the characters, but the story becomes captivating starting with the second act and the surreal drunken party at the mogul's mansion (and the teens in a neighboring abode). Imagine if "Village of the Giants" (1965) was shot as a serious melodrama, minus the giants, and that's the general vibe.

The movie addresses elements of hedonism, racism, sexual revolution (with several of the players involved in affairs), political corruption (the sheriff is wrongly thought to be bought by the town mogul), and vigilante non-justice. The most iconic scene is when the sole voice of reason is viciously beaten by the mogul (E.G. Bradford), along with his buds. Marlon later cited this as an example of his renowned Method approach. The wild last act in an auto graveyard is also notable.

Despite the picture's many strengths, it's too meandering and unfocused to be wholly effective as Arthur Penn's great "Bonnie and Clyde" (1967). But you can't beat the cast, especially Brando. Look for a young Paul Williams as one of the partying teens.

It runs 2 hours, 13 minutes, and was shot in California (Calabasas, Chico, Agoura & Burbank studios).

GRADE: B/B- (6.5/10)

show less

Recommended Movies

The Shawshank Redemption

GoodFellas

Shrek 2

Prison on Fire: Plaintive Destiny

Status

Released

Original Language

Budget

—

Revenue

$2,300,000

Loading…