Aw, give Chuck a break(er), The best thing you can say about this movie is that it's not bad for Chuck Norris' first leading role. He hadn't developed much of a screen presence yet and was basically just trying to get through the acting scenes so he could karate-up the bad guys. This film tries to capitalize on the CB and trucker craze of the 70's and starts off with an underpowered but spirited little "Convoy" knock off...er...homage over the opening credits. The action is pretty simple and straightforward but you have to remember that audiences back then were less sophisticated in regards to martial arts action than audiences are today. For years in Hollywood it was considered unsporting or dirty pool to fight a man in any way but pure fisticuffs. Seeing a man, especially a Westerner, kick another dude to pieces was pretty new to moviegoers back then and it was definitely enough to WOW the crowds. Chuck's character isn't really well defined here. We know he's a trucker who helps take care of his kid brother. We know he's an arm wrestling champ of some sort and we know he teaches martial arts and meditation, while wearing some very 70's clothes, to some guys who look like 70's porn stars. We also know that he shouldn't wear those tight 70's jeans. I suspect years of high kicks have developed Chuck's gluteus to the point that he rivals 227's Jackee' in the bodonkadonk department. But you can see the beginnings of Chuck's later screen character, the solid decent guy who just wants to live his life and do right by himself and his family and friends. George Murdock does a good over-the-top job as the corrupt judge. The rest of the cast seem less like actors and more like people who happened to be standing nearby when the director yelled "Action". The writing is pretty unsophisticated and leaves several key plotlines unresolved. Overall it just seems unfinished, unpolished, like it was made by film students as a class project. It does have it's good points though, like some decent action and some goofy 70's clothes and attitude, and the final scene where the ad hoc "Legion of Truckers" comes to Chuck's rescue is fun and probably where the production spent most of its money. It's a must for die hard Norris fans of course because you can see your hero's very beginnings and how far he's come (or not). For anyone else it's a so-so martial arts actioner.
Complex themes, Good Action, Good Flick I really found this movie to be quite original and not surprisingly action packed. The plot was original and entertaining with concurrent themes and constant suspense. The acting was a little weak in only a few places, but overall the performances were really quite good for an action movie during the time frame it was created. What really surprised me was the sophisticated cinematography, usually action movies are kind of lax in that area. Chuck Norris did a fine job in his fledgeling incursion into film from martial arts, and his real world skills amazed often throughout the film. I would recommend this film to anyone, especially action afficiandos.
Not Bad, But Not Good Either This picture was made back in 1977 and I don't remember where I saw it at. This was a very young and very blonde Chuck Norris who played the role of John David Dawes. Also George Murdock plays the role of Judge Trimmings and terry O'Conner plays the role of Arlene. When John returns home he goes to see his brother who's riding a dirt bike. John brother Billy wants to drive a big rig and take a load of something somewhere. So John agrees to let Billy take a load gets to a small town in Texas. Billy gets into trouble with a Joshua Trimmings who's a crooked Judge that runs the small town. When John fines out that Billy never made it, he heads towards Texas to fine him. Breaker, Breaker, wasn't the best movie but it wasn't that bad. I give this movie 7 weasel stars basically for its action.
A Dated, But Okay Effort For Norris' First Starring Role During the CB (Citizen Band) radio craze of the 70's, Chuck Norris began his very successful leading man career by appearing in this film.
Norris plays a trucker whose brother gets caught up in a speed-trap town whose leaders don't mind killing to maintain control. Of course, truckers unite by using the CB radios, Norris kicks lots of butt, and a good reckneck time is had by all.
The CB focus, fashions and trends are very dated, and the movie isn't good enough to overcome these limitations. But it works as a cheap action flick and curio timepiece. Breaker, Breaker is far from Norris' best, but he has also done much, much worse.
Good for a Laugh Chuck Norris's brother is hauling freight through a small Texas Town when the local sherif arrests him on a trumped up charge. The town confiscates the load, kidnaps his brother, and puts him in jail. This causes chuck to go into the town and start opening a king sized can of whoop but. Bad acting, good fight seens, and a poor story line all combine for a pretty good movie. I'd buy this movie just to laugh at the out of date 1960-1970 fasions. Rich
Anything Goes Trivia
Last Kiss
Megaton Man
Trevor
