At the outset, it feels very much like a traditional Western, complete with the expected music and visuals of a Spaghetti Western. It successfully creates an atmosphere of villainy and menace amongst various hoodlums who are working with a nasty band of Native Americans in order to rob a train and its cargo. But that is jumping ahead a bit, as the story opens with the grim news of a diphtheria outbreak at a remote US Army outpost in snowy Idaho.
A special express train is hastily dispatched to deliver vital medical supplies and a company of army relief troops under the command of Major Claremont (Ed Lauter). Travelling in the luxurious private car at the rear of the train are several high-profile civilian passengers: Richard Fairchild (Richard Crenna), the Territorial Governor overseeing the relief mission; Marica Scoville (Jill Ireland), the Governor’s fiancée and daughter of the outpost's commanding officer; Dr Molyneux (David Huddleston), a physician heading to treat the sick; Reverend Peabody (Bill McKinney), a preacher sent to minister to the troops; and O'Brien (Charles Durning), a high-ranking railroad representative.
During a water stop in the small, snowy settlement of Myrtle, the train is approached by US Marshal Nathan Pearce (Ben Johnson). Pearce requests passage for himself and his prisoner, John Deakin (Charles Bronson). Deakin is introduced as a notorious outlaw, cardsharp and accused murderer who was recognised from a newspaper clipping. Despite Major Claremont’s initial protests against boarding a criminal on a military transport, Governor Fairchild grants them entry.
The train heads off with this motley crew into the treacherous, snow-bound Rocky Mountains, where strange and sinister incidents begin to occur. Two army officers suddenly vanish from the train, telegraph lines are cut and more! When the train stops to use a trackside telegraph to report the disappearances, they discover the lines have been deliberately sabotaged. The doctor is then found dead in his quarters. Because Deakin is a handcuffed prisoner, he is initially above suspicion, though he possesses a sharp intellect and a cynical demeanour. When the train’s engineer is mysteriously thrown to his death while crossing a high wooden bridge, they are forced to stop again. Because they are now short-handed, the corrupt or oblivious crew forces the so-called outlaw Deakin to help stoke the engine's fire. Taking advantage of the fact that nobody is watching him, he uses the opportunity to snoop around the train and investigate.
Deakin discovers all sorts of suspicious-looking gear and it becomes clear that the supplies heading for the victims of the epidemic are not quite what they seem. You get the idea by now - and yes, Deakin turns out not to be who we thought he was either! From there, the film unfolds into a tale of corrupt officials, mastermind criminals and brutal outlaws aplenty, with gold, guns and much more at stake - with anyone who gets too close to the truth systematically eliminated!
There is a great deal of train-based fun and frolics on show. Carriages are uncoupled, coaches run away at breakneck speeds and dynamite is kept at the ready to blow up sections of track. Engineers, drivers, firemen and chefs all do their bit in the mix - the latter, Carlos (played by former boxing champion Archie Moore), ending up in a punch-up to the death on top of the icy, snowy roof of the speeding train with Deakin. No prizes for guessing who survives that!
We then head towards the finale at Breakheart Pass. Deakin chums up with our leading lady, Ireland - seemingly the only person who is not mixed up in what is going on, at least not once she realises what is happening. Native Americans on horseback gallop around whooping, culminating in a massive, chaotic shootout. With everyone firing at everyone else, there is plenty of action, featuring a good deal of maiming and slashing. Again, no prizes for guessing who survives (in each other's arms)!
Charles Bronson is irresistible as always as the cool leading man, while Jill Ireland does well as pretty much the only female in the story (if you discount the hookers at the beginning). Crenna is suitably revolting as the corrupt elected official and the rest of the cast do a great, highly convincing job. The script is fine, the music remains very Western in style, and the cinematography is great - whether capturing the claustrophobic interiors of the train or the sprawling outside views of the snowy scenery and long shots of the steam engine.
The action is first-class, giving the impression that the closest anyone got to special effects was the odd stuntman here and there. This was an era when actors often actually did things themselves on camera! It is a good yarn that successfully mixes a murder mystery with a proper Western style and feel. As for Alastair MacLean's story, well, it's no Where Eagles Dare, but it is still a tale well worth telling and it makes for a thoroughly enjoyable 90-minute romp.
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