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The Hunter on DVD (1980)

The Hunter cover art
Play The Hunter trailer
Average rating: 62%
214620865
3.0
from 114 members
 
Starring: Steve McQueen, Eli Wallach, Kathryn Harrold, LeVar Burton, Ben Johnson, Tracey Walter
Director: Buzz Kulik
Studio: PARAMOUNT HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Run time: 98 mins
Certificate: 15
Genres: Action/Adventure, Thriller
Languages: English
Dubbed: French, German, Italian, Spanish
Hearing-impaired: English
Subtitles: Danish, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish
Released: 13/05/2002

Brief synopsis of The Hunter

Steve McQueen's last movie is a fitting tribute to his memorable talent. He portrays real-life bounty hunter Ralph "Papa" Thorson, who made a long career out of apprehending more than 5,000 criminals and bail jumpers. Thorson's tough antics (featuring a few memorable car chases) are tempered by his touching relationship with his pregnant wife Dotty (Kathryn Harrold).

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Critics Reviews

Rating of 2 stars out of 5 Radio Times

Steve McQueen's final film is a badly muffed attempt to update the classic western bounty-hunter story. Known for his doggedness and unconventional methods, Ralph “Papa” Thorson brought thousands of fugitives to justice during his career, and McQueen was obviously attracted to his all-action style and his offbeat personality. However, as directed by Buzz Kulik, the movie is not much more than a series of crash-bang pursuits with the eccentric Thorson being the only rounded character. As a consequence, he rather wastes the excellent Eli Wallach as his boss, although there is an explosive finale.

Halliwell's Film Guide

The action scenes salvage a mysteriously banal screenplay full of continuity lapses and unexplained characters.

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Members Reviews

Reviews Voted Most Helpful

Rated - 4 starsNew to Steve McQueen?

Tudor Smith from Kent, England , 05/11/2006

This was Steve McQueen's last movie and although it reeks of 70's TV-Movie syndrome, it's actually quite good. If you are New to Steve McQueen or only know a few of his movies then you'll like this one. If you are an ardent fan you may feel this was under par for him. I like it. Good plot, sensible action and a real element of darkness from the villain too.

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Rated - 3 starsSteve's Swan Song

Charles Brickley from Andover, Hampshire England [Highly rated reviewer] , 01/12/2006

Considering that Steve McQueen was in his Fifties by the time that he made this film I believe that it is a fitting tribute to his cinema career.

He managed to steal most of the scenes and the plot flowed most of the time. Yes it was jerky in places, but the Bioptic Genre was still in its documentary mode in the late Seventies. Whilst 'Tom Horn' was a much better film, 'The Hunter' still holds its own as a fair and enjoyable film.

Showing snap shots of the life of a wild west bounty hunter in the twentieth century, this tale spawned several similar productions including a TV series.

Whilst 'Domino' is made for the modern taste, both stories are flashbacks on anecdotes told about a hard and precarious career choice.

I thought that this was well wotrh the Money!

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Rated - 3 starsTongue in Cheek Acting

A customer from North Berwick , 15/01/2008

I think there's more to this film than first meets the eye. It seems to parody all the things Steve McQueen was made famous by. For instance driving and parking badly when did he ever do that? Living in a house full of people, in most of his films he played a loner, they also played cards which he would not join in.... Cincinatti Kid? Then he has a nerdy hobby, collecting model cars etc and tinkering with them. All round I think the film was interesting in this reapect whilst it still retained some of the serious aspects that McQueen excelled at. Watch it tongue in cheek.

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Rated - 5 starsCustomer Review

A customer from UK , 23/06/2008

How narrow are we to compare this to any old action film, it really has a sense of realism - that it could happen, that it is why it sticks out: more of a Clint action flim really because it makes you believe something, that people do not believe. So what if he is older, this has some very subtle acting, and I hope the dvd can bring it out. Does everything have to be the best, it gives enough: but in it's own way - which is not a bad thing at all.

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Most Recent Reviews

Rated - 3 starsSteve's Swan Song

Charles Brickley from Andover, Hampshire England [Highly rated reviewer] , 01/12/2006

Considering that Steve McQueen was in his Fifties by the time that he made this film I believe that it is a fitting tribute to his cinema career.

He managed to steal most of the scenes and the plot flowed most of the time. Yes it was jerky in places, but the Bioptic Genre was still in its documentary mode in the late Seventies. Whilst 'Tom Horn' was a much better film, 'The Hunter' still holds its own as a fair and enjoyable film.

Showing snap shots of the life of a wild west bounty hunter in the twentieth century, this tale spawned several similar productions including a TV series.

Whilst 'Domino' is made for the modern taste, both stories are flashbacks on anecdotes told about a hard and precarious career choice.

I thought that this was well wotrh the Money!

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Rated - 3 starsLike Steve McQueen not that keen on this film though

A customer from London , 03/07/2008

Love Steve McQueen and his films but not that keen on this film!

All a bit slap stick and uncool - love Bullit/Thomas Crown Affair - know this came later - it was ok as a light watch but seen better!!

And the house he lived in was some weird open house to all - ha ha bizarre

Would rather watch Bullitt or something similar!

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