(a.k.a. "Never Give a Inch" -- US TV)
US (1971): Drama/Adventure
This film was based on a novel by Ken Kesey. Paul Newman (who also directed) stars as the oldest son of an Oregon logging family headed by Henry Fonda. Newman's half-brother Michael Sarrazin, embittered over Fonda's treatment of his late mother, returns after a ten-year absence to work in the family business. Sarrazin's presence causes friction with Fonda, who resents his prodigal son's hippie mind-set, and Newman, who perceives Sarrazin as a threat to his own position in the family structure. Newman has good reason to feel resentful: before long, his wife Lee Remick has entered into an affair with Sarrazin. Meanwhile, Fonda wages an ongoing battle with the unionized loggers in the region, who threaten reprisals should Fonda attempt to continue his business without union help. A series of "accidents," coupled with an outsized fistfight at an annual Lumberman's Field Day, serves to drive deeper wedges between Fonda's outfit and his rivals. An extremely dangerous effort by Fonda to float his logs to the mill via a treacherous river helps to mend the frayed family ties between himself and his sons. (Newman-Foreman/Universal) (Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide)
Richard Jaeckel is also featured as brother Joe Ben Stamper. There is an unforgettable scene in the film where Jaeckel is pinned a few feet underwater by huge floating logs. Newman unsuccessfully attempts to save him by diving and breathing air into his lungs. (This technique was later used successfully in real life by a father to rescue his daughter who was trapped under a boat.) Another unforgettable image -- one not so harrowing -- is a tug pushing a raft of logs down the river. Tied to the mast is Fonda's severed hand... with the middle finger extended. I guess what I'm saying is this is a memorable film. It was the first movie ever shown on HBO when the service premiered in 1972. (GM)
2 nominations
· Supporting Actor 1971: Richard Jaeckel
· Music Best Song 1971: "All His Children" Henry Mancini - Music, Alan Bergman, Marilyn Bergman - Lyric