It’s no surprise then, that Imprint Films chose Gene Hackman to launch their Film Focus series of box sets. Instead of his best-known films—The French Connection, The Conversation and Unforgiven, etc.—they’ve dug a bit deeper for four lesser known films that contain strong performances by the actor spanning from 1970-77.
I NEVER SANG FOR MY FATHER
Director: Gilbert Cates
Screenplay: Robert Anderson
Based on the play by: Robert Anderson
Starring: Gene Hackman, Melvyn Douglas, Estelle Parsons, Dorothy Stickney
Year: 1970
Country: USA
BBFC Certification: PG
Duration: 92 mins
Making its worldwide Blu-ray debut, 1970’s I Never Sang for My Father is the highlight of this collection. An insightful character study grounded by excellent writing from Robert Anderson, based on his play of the same name. it contains a pivotal early performance by Gene Hackman and an unforgettable turn from the always steady Melvyn Douglas.
Hackman plays Gene Garrison, a forty-something New York writer and professor. Widowed a year earlier, Gene wants to marry his new girlfriend and join her and her children out in California. However, he’s concerned about his parents, who have come to rely on him, particularly his proud but forgetful father, Tom (Douglas). Despite his successes, Gene has never been able to win his fathers approval, a self-made man who lords over his family with a strong hand. When Gene’s mother Margaret (Dorothy Stickney) dies suddenly, he decides to try and forge a relationship with his dad. Despite encouragement to break away from his sister Alice (Estelle Parsons), who was disowned years earlier, after she married a Jew.
Special Features and Technical Specifications:
- 1080p High Definition Presentation on Blu-ray from a 2K Scan
- Aspect Ratio of 1.85:1
- Audio English LPCM 2.0 Mono
- Optional English Subtitles
BITE THE BULLET
Director: Richard Brooks
Screenplay: Richard Brooks
Starring: Gene Hackman, Candice Bergen, James Coburn
Year: 1975
Country: USA
BBFC Certification: PG
Duration: 131 mins
Written and directed by Richard Brooks (Elmer Gantry, In Cold Blood) Bite the Bullet is the story of a 700-mile cross-country horse race. Leading the pack are Luke Matthews (James Coburn), a former Roughrider and a professional gambler; Miss Jones (Candice Bergen), a former prostitute with ulterior motives; and Sam Clayton (Gene Hackman). Once a soldier alongside Matthews, Clayton has since embraced the more modern political sensibilities of the 20th century. A surprisingly compassionate man, Clayton despises cruelty to animals, the little man and the opposite sex. His level of compassion makes Clayton a standout among men who settle things with their fists and rely on their masculinity to get by.
Despite an interesting premise and a solid cast—it also includes Ben Johnson, Ian Bannen, Jan-Michael Vincent and Dabney Coleman—Bite the Bullet is occasionally clumsy in its execution. With a runtime of 131 minutes, some scenes are unnecessarily long. Despite that, each character is well drawn and the camaraderie between Hackman and James Coburn makes me wish the two men had worked together again.
Special Features and Technical Specifications:
- 1080p High Definition Presentation on Blu-ray from a 4IK Scan
- Isolated Music and Effects Track
- Theatrical Trailer
- Aspect Ratio 2.35:1 Aspect Ratio
- Audio English DTS HD 5.1 Surround + LPCM Mono
- Optional English HoH subtitles
THE DOMINO PRINCIPLE
Director: Stanley Kramer
Screenplay: Adam Kennedy
Based on the novel by: Adam Kennedy
Starring: Gene Hackman, Candice Bergen, Mickey Rooney, Richard Widmark
Year: 1977
Country: USA
BBFC Certification: 15
Duration: 97 mins
Based on the Adam Kennedy novel of the same name, The Domino Principle stars Gene Hackman as Vietnam veteran Roy Tucker, serving time in San Quentin for the murder of his wife’s first husband. He is visited there by two odd and apparently powerful men (Richard Widmark, Edward Albert) who represent a mysterious organization. They offer Roy a chance at a new life in exchange for an assignment. With nothing to lose, Tucker agrees. He has one condition, to have his wife Ellie (Candice Bergen) released as well. The men agree to the request. A few weeks later, Tucker is given his assignment. He must assassinate someone important.
While reminiscent of other films of the era, such as The Parallax View and Three Days of the Condor, The Domino Principle misses the mark by raising several questions it never attempts to answer. Why recruit convict instead of simply hiring a hitman who’s walking free? Why send Tucker to an expensive hideaway in Mexico after the assassination is over, instead of just gunning him down? How does the obviously savvy Tucker believe this will end well?
I remember reading that Gene Hackman was proud of his performance in this film and admitted doing it for the money. I’d say The Domino Principle isn’t terrible, but it isn’t up to the standards of Hackman’s other work during this era.
Special Features and Technical Specifications:
- 1080p High Definition Presentation on Blu-ray from a 2K Scan
- NEW!! Audio Commentary by Film Historian Howard S. Berger
- NEW!! Video Essay on Stanley Kramer
- NEW!! Interview with Karen Sharpe
- Theatrical Trailer
- Aspect Ratio 1.78:1
- Audio English LPCM 2.0 Mono
- Optional English HoH Subtitles
MARCH OR DIE
Director: Dick Richards
Screenplay: David Zelag Goodman
Starring: Gene Hackman, Terence Hill, Max Von Sydow, Ian Holm, Catherine Deneuve
Year: 1977
Country: USA
BBFC Certification: PG
Duration: 104 mins
Set in Morocco during the French colonization, March or Die has all the makings of a classic epic—particularly sweeping views and an all-star cast—but a muddling story results in a decidedly boring exercise. Gene Hackman has top billing as Major William Foster, a troubled member of the French Foreign Legion. He leads his troops back to France following a bloody deployment. In a tense meeting with his superiors, American-born Foster is assigned to protect a group of archeologists led by François Marneau (Von Sydow) during a dig, because Arab locals are hostile to foreigners.
Foster worries about the possible human cost, but as soon as he’s shown training new recruits for the mission, he comes across as areal jerk, who takes pleasure in abusing his underlings. The story is to unfocused to do a lot. There’s a romance involving Terence Hill and Catherine Deneuve but it’s to superfluous to matter.
It been reported that that Hackman turned down a role in Close Encounters of the Third Kind and made this movie instead. I wonder if he regretted this decision…Despite all its flaws, March or Die is beautiful to look at. That’s worth something.
Special Features and Technical Specifications:
- 1080p High Definition Presentation on Blu-ray from a 2K Scan
- NEW!! Audio Commentary by Film Historians Howard S. Berger & Steve Mitchell
- NEW!! Video Essay on Director Dick Richards
- NEW!! Interview with Actor Paul Sherman
- Theatrical Trailer
- Aspect Ratio 1.78:1
- Audio English LPCM 2.0 Mono
- Optional English HoH Subtitles
The Film Focus series is wonderful for film fans. I can’t wait for future releases!
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