Bite the Bullet (1975)

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  • BITE THE BULLET


    DIRECTED & PRODUCED BY RICHARD BROOKS
    PRODUCED BY
    PERSKY-BRIGHT PRODUCTIONS/ VISTA
    COLUMBIA PICTURES CORPORATION



    Photo with the courtesy of Gorch

    Information from IMDb


    Plot Summary
    At the beginning of the 20th century, a newspaper organizes an endurance horse race :
    700 miles to run in a few days. 9 adventurers are competing,
    among them a woman, Miss Jones, a Mexican, an Englishman,
    a young cow-boy, an old one and two friends, Sam Clayton and Luke Matthews.
    All those individualists will learn to respect each other.
    Written by Yepok


    Full Cast
    Gene Hackman ... Sam Clayton
    Candice Bergen ... Miss Jones
    James Coburn ... Luke Matthews
    Ben Johnson ... Mister
    Ian Bannen ... Sir Harry Norfolk
    Jan-Michael Vincent ... Carbo
    Robert Donner ... Reporter
    Jean Willes ... Rosie
    Mario Arteaga ... Mexican
    Dabney Coleman ... Jack Parker
    John McLiam ... Gebhardt
    Robert F. Hoy ... Lee Christie (as Robert Hoy)
    Jerry Gatlin ... The Wood Cutter
    Sally Kirkland ... Honey
    Walter Scott ... Steve (as Walter Scott Jr.)
    William H. Burton ... Billy (as Bill Burton)
    Buddy Van Horn ... Slim
    Joe Brooks
    Lucia Canales
    Darwin Lamb
    Paul Stewart ... J.B. Parker (uncredited)


    Writing Credits
    Richard Brooks (written by)


    Original Music
    Alex North


    Cinematography
    Harry Stradling Jr. (director of photography)


    Trivia
    Charles Bronson turned down the leading role.


    In Jan. 1976, Columbia distributed this film theatrically on a double bill with White Line Fever starring Jan-Michael Vincent.


    The film was inspired by the 1908 700-mile cross-country horse race from Evanston, Wyoming to Denver, Colorado. It was sponsored by the Denver Post, which offered $2,500 prize money to the winner.


    While on location in New Mexico in 1974 Paul Stewart suffered a heart attack.


    Goofs
    Anachronisms
    Power lines and a modern sodium vapor street light are visible at the train station.


    Rosie casually drops the term "Mickey Finn" to refer to a near-toxic combination of whiskey and sleeping medicine. According to the Wikipedia page for this term, Mr. Finn did indeed commit his drug-and-rob crimes about three years prior to the action in this film but also indicates that while the crime was mentioned in Chicago newspapers the term itself wasn't in popular usage as a stand-alone noun until several years later.


    Crew or equipment visible
    The track tracks left by the filming are visible in the desert.


    Revealing mistakes
    When the horse is being buried in the desert its side is moving with breathing.


    When Sam Clayton takes the saddle off his horse at the end, it's clearly dry under the saddle, while the rest of the horse is wet and lathered. The lather and dampness is clearly fake sweat, as it would be soaked under he saddle also.


    Memorable Quotes


    Filming Locations
    Carson National Forest, New Mexico, USA
    Chama, New Mexico, USA
    Colorado, USA
    Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, Chama, New Mexico, USA
    Lake Mead, Nevada, USA
    Taos, New Mexico, USA
    Valley of Fire State Park - Route 169, Overton, Nevada, USA
    White Sands National Monument, Alamogordo, New Mexico, USA



    Watch this Trailer

    Best Wishes
    Keith
    London- England

    Edited once, last by ethanedwards ().

  • Bite the Bullet is a 1975 American Western film written and directed by Richard Brooks
    and starring Gene Hackman, James Coburn, Candice Bergen,
    Ben Johnson, Ian Bannen, Jan-Michael Vincent and Dabney Coleman.



    User Review

    Best Wishes
    Keith
    London- England

    Edited once, last by ethanedwards ().

  • Despite the fact that this whole movie is about a horse race, it takes it's time unfolding. There are several excellent scenes and Ben Johnson and James Coburn have the best roles. Alex North's music is also a standout.
    Haven't replaced the DVD yet, but since Paula says it's worth it, guess I will.




    We deal in lead, friend.

  • Hey Gorch! That first picture you posted is the one I have that I haven't scanned in yet. But I've never seen that second one at the bar so THANK YOU so much for posting it! I am going to nab it for my Ben Johnson page. :)