‘The Chase’ Starring Robert Redford and Marlon Brando Was Ahead of Its Time

Occasionally, a film is so innovative that it confuses viewers when it first comes out. A prime example is Arthur Penn’s thriller, The Chase, starring Marlon Brando and Robert Redford. This compelling story about right and wrong will celebrate its 60th anniversary on February 18, 2026. The film centers on a small Texas town thrown into chaos when a prisoner escapes and races back to his hometown.

With strong performances from Jane Fonda, Robert Duvall, Angie Dickinson, and E.G. Marshall, The Chase perfectly captures the energy of the new wave of filmmakers from the 1970s. While it didn’t receive much attention when it came out in 1966, it’s gained a following over time. Now that it’s available on Tubi, any true movie lover should check out The Chase as soon as possible.

What is ‘The Chase’ About?

Columbia Pictures

Directed by Arthur Penn and based on a play by Lillian Hellman, The Chase is a tense thriller about a prison escape that throws a small Texas town into turmoil. When two convicts break free, it sparks widespread panic. One of them is Bubber Reeves (Robert Redford), a popular local man wrongly convicted of murder. Sheriff Calder (Marlon Brando) is a rare voice of reason, believing in Bubber’s innocence. Unlike others who want to quickly recapture him and see him punished, Calder actively works to prove Bubber didn’t commit the crime.

Meanwhile, Bubber’s wife, Anna (played by Jane Fonda), is secretly having an affair with his close friend, Jake (James Fox). Jake’s father, Val (E.G. Marshall), is a powerful figure in town who leads the search for Bubber and insists he be caught. When Bubber is accused of murder after escaping, tensions escalate, and the townspeople become even more determined to find him. But some people begin to doubt his guilt.

Though it appears to be a simple thriller, The Chase is more interested in exposing the hidden flaws and moral failings of a small town and its residents than in Bubber’s escape itself. The town is riddled with secrets, particularly marital infidelity, which forms a key part of several storylines. As everyone waits to see if Bubber will be caught, their own questionable behavior is revealed. For example, Anna and Jake are having an affair, and Emily Stewart openly desires Damon Fuller despite being married to Edwin. With a surprisingly dark and pessimistic conclusion, The Chase stands as an important example of the New Hollywood era.

‘The Chase’ Was Ahead of its Time With its Techniques and Moral Ambiguity

Columbia Pictures

Despite being only moderately successful and receiving mixed reviews when it came out in 1966, The Chase was surprisingly forward-thinking for its time. Unlike many films of that era, it didn’t offer clear-cut heroes and villains; instead, every character was flawed and operated in a morally ambiguous space, making it difficult to know who to support. This approach became a defining trait of the New Hollywood films of the 1970s, which prioritized gritty realism over simple entertainment, reflecting the social and political turmoil of the Vietnam War, the Civil Rights Movement, and widespread unrest.

Despite occasionally leaning into overly dramatic territory with its themes of prejudice and civil rights, The Chase stands out due to its complex moral questions and innovative filmmaking. A prime example is the intensely violent scene where Sheriff Calder is attacked by a group of men upset with his handling of the Bubber case. This scene was particularly noteworthy, as Marlon Brando considered it a perfect example of his method acting technique – which he helped create – and it employed filmmaking methods that were groundbreaking for its time.

When filming the attack on Calder, director Arthur Penn asked the actors to actually hit Marlon Brando, but in incredibly slow motion. While Brando wasn’t hurt, the footage was played back at normal speed, creating a shockingly realistic scene. Even after 50 years, it’s still considered one of the most powerfully impactful on-screen assaults, and Penn should be commended for his daring and commitment to realism.

I remember when Arthur Penn directed Bonnie and Clyde the year after Mickey One. It was a truly groundbreaking American film, and it really brought violent imagery to the big screen in a way we hadn’t seen before. It’s crazy to think that Faye Dunaway was once told she wasn’t pretty enough for a part in The Chase – can you believe that? Thankfully, Penn saw her talent and cast her as Bonnie Parker, and it was a perfect fit. That movie really launched her career, and honestly, it changed cinema forever.

‘The Chase’ Holds Up Incredibly Well in 2026

Columbia Pictures

Even after 60 years, the film The Chase still feels remarkably fresh. Arthur Penn’s energetic camera work prevents it from feeling slow or static, using sweeping shots and fluid tracking to build excitement. The beautiful Technicolor visuals, originally captured by Oscar-winning cinematographer Joseph LaShelle (known for Laura – he took over from Robert Surtees of Ben-Hur fame), remain vibrant and striking today.

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What truly makes this film worth watching again and again are the powerful performances and complex characters. Marlon Brando delivers a particularly subtle and impressive performance, often considered one of his best. Robert Redford and Henry Fonda share a remarkable on-screen connection, which they continued to showcase in later films like Barefoot in the Park (1967) and Our Souls at Night (2017). Angie Dickinson also shines, playing a surprisingly compelling role as Calder’s wife, Ruby. And Robert Duvall is brilliantly convincing as a slick, Southern socialite – a performance that clearly impressed Brando, as the two actors would collaborate again on The Godfather six years later.

Even after many years, the acting in Horton Foote’s The Chase remains powerful, and the story itself feels relevant today. The play doesn’t offer simple heroes or villains, instead exploring complex issues like small-town power dynamics, the fairness of the legal system, hidden desires, and how people respond when someone is accused of something. Though it’s not as famous as some other work by these talented artists, The Chase remains a hidden gem that continues to resonate with audiences six decades later.

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2026-02-18 18:37

What is ‘The Chase’ About?

‘The Chase’ Was Ahead of its Time With its Techniques and Moral Ambiguity

‘The Chase’ Holds Up Incredibly Well in 2026

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