MovieChat Forums > Breakheart Pass (1975) Discussion > So who killed who? (Spoilers to follow)

So who killed who? (Spoilers to follow)

posted 16 years ago by Eric-115
4 replies | jump to latest

One of the things I found unconventional about this film is that we never know exactly who was culpable for which action? Are we to assume that Banlon, Pearce, Henry, Carlos, O'Brien, or Fairchild struck the doctor then murdered him? Or that one of them sawed the coupling off of the troop cars?

We known Banlon was responsible for Jackson's plunge to the bottom of the bridge, but we never are fully given flashbacks, or told directly, which, I guess keeps the tension up, but the lack of closure is very unconventional.

Perhaps the book version sheds light on this?

[–] ThePeacemakerFJD 16 years ago

The reason why these are not explained because they are unnecessary details. The main point is that these guys all hide who they really are and what they're really up to.

[–] dimm_lite 15 years ago

..
Been a while since I read the novel on which it was based. But if my memory serves it right the cook and the butler were responsible for some of the killings.
btw the book is much better :) but the movie too ain't that bad at all. Am a big fan of Alistair McLean and Bronson.. and trains.

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..I'm fine with both nudity and violence

[–] herbertanchovy 15 years ago

I agree, the book is good, but then again with Mr maclean, once he joined the hollywood gravy train he had been known to write the movie screenplays first, then adapt it to a book, such as "where eagles dare".
I don't care, he was one of the best action/thriller writers out there

[–] BikeBill 12 years ago

As you've noted, Alistair MacLean did write the novel and screenplay for "Where Eagles Dare" simultaneously. However, "Breakheart Pass" (the novel) was first published in England in 1974, and the movie was released in 1975.

-"BB"-