The Chase
Performance & Direction: The Chase Review
Last updated: January 25, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Chase (1966) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.1/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Crime.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Crime is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Chase features a noteworthy lineup led by Marlon Brando . Supported by the likes of Jane Fonda and Robert Redford , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of The Chase (1966) is generally positive. With an audience rating of 7.1/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Story & Plot Summary: The Chase
Quick Plot Summary: The Chase is a Crime, Drama film that dives into the criminal underworld with a grounded sense of realism and complex morality. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Ending Explained: The Chase
Ending Breakdown: The Chase resolves its central conflict while maintaining thematic consistency. The finale has been praised for its approach to crime resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes with clear resolution of its central conflicts, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Main characters complete meaningful transformations, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the crime themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Chase reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
The Chase Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
The Chase incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a crime, drama film, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement.
Historical Context
The film balances historical fidelity with cinematic storytelling. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.
The production demonstrates respect for its source material, focusing on emotional truth over strict chronology.
Accuracy Assessment: The Chase adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch The Chase?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Crime films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want solid genre entertainment
Box Office Collection: The Chase
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Worldwide Gross | $2.3M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Top Cast: The Chase
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch The Chase Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Amazon VideoThe Chase Parents Guide & Age Rating
1966 AdvisoryWondering about The Chase age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Chase is 135 minutes (2h 15m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.1/10, and global performance metrics, The Chase is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1966 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Chase worth watching?
The Chase is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Crime movies. It has a verified rating of 7.1/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Chase parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Chase identifies it as NR. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Chase?
The total duration of The Chase is 135 minutes, which is approximately 2h 15m long.
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How The Chase Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for The Chase
**_A Southern town given to drunken revelry & vigilantism with Brando as the voice of reason_** Bubber Reeves (Robert Redford) escapes from prison and this affects the populace of an East Texas town. Marlon plays the sheriff who tries to track down Bubber's whereabouts while Angie Dickinson is on hand as his supportive wife. Jane Fonda plays Bubber's ex-girlfriend and James Fox her secret beau. Janice Rule appears as a drunken woman of dubious morality, Robert Duvall her hubby, and Richard Bradford one of the men with whom she cheats. "The Chase" is mid-60's Southern Gothic in the manner of "The Fugitive Kind" (1960), "In the Heat of the Night" (1967), "Cape Fear" (1962), "This Property Is Condemned" (1966) and "The Long, Hot Summer" (1958). It's arguably on par with most of these, but is significantly superior to the last one. The first act is weak as it establishes the characters, but the story becomes captivating starting with the second act and the surreal drunken party at the mogul's mansion (and the teens in a neighboring abode). Imagine if "Village of the Giants" (1965) was shot as a serious melodrama, minus the giants, and that's the general vibe. The movie addresses elements of hedonism, racism, sexual revolution (with several of the players involved in affairs), political corruption (the sheriff is wrongly thought to be bought by the town mogul), and vigilante non-justice. The most iconic scene is when the sole voice of reason is viciously beaten by the mogul (E.G. Bradford), along with his buds. Marlon later cited this as an example of his renowned Method approach. The wild last act in an auto graveyard is also notable. Despite the picture's many strengths, it's too meandering and unfocused to be wholly effective as Arthur Penn's great "Bonnie and Clyde" (1967). But you can't beat the cast, especially Brando. Look for a young Paul Williams as one of the partying teens. It runs 2 hours, 13 minutes, and was shot in California (Calabasas, Chico, Agoura & Burbank studios). GRADE: B/B- (6.5/10)
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This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
