White Wall Cinema: THE CHASE

This fascinating snapshot of mid 60s filmmaking finds itself caught between the classical sensibilities of legendary Hollywood producer Sam Spiegel (On The Waterfront, The Bridge On The River Kwai, Laurence of Arabia) and its revolutionary director Arthur Penn (Bonnie & Clyde). Influenced by the French New Wave, Penn allows burgeoning countercultural attitudes of the era to seep into cinema for the first time in the most fascinating of ways.

Adapted by Lillian Hellman from the novel and play by Horton Foote (Oscar winner for the To Kill A Mockingbird screenplay) the film explores the tensions in the small town of Tarl, Texas when Bubber Reeves (Robert Redford) escapes from prison. Town Sheriff, Calder (Marlon Brando on blistering form) feels he must apprehend Reeves quickly in order to appease local residents on the verge of vigilantism, all egged on by local oil baron Val Rogers (E.G. Marshall) who wants to protect his son Jake (James Fox) who is sleeping with Reeve’s wife Anna (a brilliant Jane Fonda). The film brilliantly captures the moral excesses of its characters boiling over as it tackles themes of racism, the sexual revolution, violence, class, and corruption which still plague America to this very day. Sublimely written, directed and performed, The Chase is a seminal work which is ripe for rediscovery.

• DOORS: 7pm*
• START TIME: 7.30pm*
• RUN TIME: 134 mins
• CERT: 15

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