The Last Run *** (1971, George C. Scott, Tony Musante, Trish Van Devere, Colleen Dewhurst) – Classic Movie Review 7027

George C Scott stars in The Last Run (1971) as a retired getaway driver who must make a final run to help a convict flee to France, and thus somehow to prove himself, in this Spanish-set and Spanish-made thriller directed by Richard Fleischer, taking over from John Huston. It was shot in Andalucía, Spain, in Granada, Málaga and Marbella, and is a fairly good advert for the place.

This thinking person’s action thriller boasts an original screenplay by the clever Alan Sharp, has an intriguing atmosphere, ingratiating performances and strong scenes that make it seem engaging and very watchable. So it is a pity then that the movie is sometimes talky, lethargic and insufficiently dynamic.

And it tells a downbeat tale without enough clarity or drive. But Sven Nykvist’s cinematography makes it look tremendous, the action is well done, there is a strong score by Jerry Goldsmith, and above all perhaps Scott’s performance is very engrossing. He said: ‘I’m doing it because it reminds me of old Bogart pictures’.

Awkwardly, perhaps, the film co-stars Scott’s old wife Colleen Dewhurst and new wife Trish Van Devere, whom he married in 1972. Also in the cast are Aldo Sambrell, Antonio Tarruella, Robert Coleby, Patrick J Zurica and Rocky Taylor.

The Last Run is directed by Richard Fleischer and John Huston, runs 99 minutes, is an MGM release, is written by Alan Sharp, is shot in Metrocolor by Sven Nykvist, is produced by Carter de Haven Jr and scored by Jerry Goldsmith.

Dewhurst married Scott twice, 1960 – 1965 and 1967 – 1972, both marriages ending in divorce. Scott was married to Van Devere from 14 September 1972 till his death on 22 September 1999. Van Devere continued to appear in movies and on TV until 1994.

Scott and John Huston argued during filming over script rewrites as well as about leading lady Tina Aumont and Huston quit the film. Fleischer replaced Huston and Van Devere replaced Aumont. Scott fell in love with Van Devere.

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 7027

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