The Grey Fox (1982)

User Rating:

7.7/10   

Director:

Phillip Borsos

Writer:

John Hunter (writer)

Release Date:

18 March 1983 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Western

Tagline:

The robber who'll steal your heart [UK Video]

Plot:

When an aging, but gentlemanly stagecoach robber is released from prison, he decides to go to Canada to become a train robber.

Plot Keywords:

Train | Canada | Train Robber | Ex Convict | Based On Fact

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 11 wins & 6 nominations

Cast

Richard Farnsworth	...	Bill Miner / George Edwards
Jackie Burroughs	...	Katherine 'Kate' Flynn
Ken Pogue	...	Jack Budd, Hotel Manager
Wayne Robson	...	Shorty (William) Dunn
Timothy Webber	...	Sergeant Fernie
Gary Reineke	...	Pinkerton Detective Seavy
David Petersen	...	Louis Colquhoun
Don MacKay	...	Al Sims, Household Goods Salesman on Train
Samantha Langevin	...	Jenny, Bill's Sister
Tom Heaton	...	Tom
Jim McLarty	...	Accomplice (as James McLarty)
George Dawson	...	Accomplice
Ray Michal	...	Gunsmith
Stephen E. Miller	...	Danny Young
David L. Crowley	...	Engineer (Oregon)

Runtime:

110 min | Argentina:110 min (Buenos Aires Festival Internacional de Cine Independiente)

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Finland:S | USA:PG | Argentina:Atp

Filming Locations:

Cheakamus Canyon, British Columbia, Canada

Company:

Mercury Pictures

Goofs:

Factual errors: The intro cards state that in 1866, "the gentleman bandit" began robbing stage coaches at sixteen and committed twenty six robberies over eighteen years. Later, the card state that in 1901, he was released from prison after 33 years in San Quentin. 1901-33=1868. 1866+18=1884. (The implication is that those 33 years were consecutive and unbroken.)

Movie Connections:

Referenced in South of Heaven, West of Hell (2000)

A no-nonsense and credible depiction of a Western outlaw.

Surely one of the most direct, honest and accurate depictions of life in the "Old West," the Grey Fox does not resort to violence, bluster or machismo to present its story. Instead, the film comes across as a story of a man whose life has gone wrong as the result of carefully thought out and well-reasoned choices, though nevertheless bad choices. This alone is particularly refreshing in a Western movie and makes the film a worthwhile experience.

The late Richard Farnsworth relies on his considerable skills as an actor and makes his character sympathetic and heroic, never losing sight that he is in fact a thief. The costumes, setting, dialog and yes, even the miserable weather are true to the historical period and makes the viewer feel as if they were there alongside the characters in this elegant story.

It's a wonderful film and a visual feast!