The Hunter (1980)

55% of critics liked it
(11 reviews)
52% of users liked it
(3,145 ratings)

Steve McQueen's last film concerns a modern day bounty hunter who searches for bail jumpers. Based on real life bounty hunter Ralph "Papa" Thorson, the film details his exciting life, traveling from one city to another, trying to track down fugitives and continually risking his life in the process.… More Steve McQueen's last film concerns a modern day bounty hunter who searches for bail jumpers. Based on real life bounty hunter Ralph "Papa" Thorson, the film details his exciting life, traveling from one city to another, trying to track down fugitives and continually risking his life in the process. Buzz Kulik directed the confusing mish-mash that, nevertheless, features stunt work that anticipates the Lethal Weapon series. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 37 min.
Directed By: Buzz Kulik
Written By: Christopher Keane, Ted Leighton, Peter Hyams
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Television, Mystery & Suspense

In Theaters: Oct 1, 1980 Wide
On DVD: Aug 14, 2001
Studio: Paramount Home Video

Critic Reviews

Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com
Memorable.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
For some reason, director Buzz Kulik attempts to slow the pace of the film down to match McQueen's dazed shuffling.
Chuck O'Leary, Fantastica Daily
Some great stuntwork highlights Steve McQueen's final film.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Featured Audience Ratings

Chris G

There are only three reasons I gave the Hunter two stars. First, it was Steve McQueen's last film and he is very good in it. Second, Eli Wallach is in it and Eli makes any movie better (except The Holiday). Lastly, Steve McQueen drives a Trans-Am. Other than those three things… More
There are only three reasons I gave the Hunter two stars. First, it was Steve McQueen's last film and he is very good in it. Second, Eli Wallach is in it and Eli makes any movie better (except The Holiday). Lastly, Steve McQueen drives a Trans-Am. Other than those three things this film is horrible. Directing, writing, acting. It all sucks except those three things. McQueen is a bounty hunter that can apparently go around driving into things, blowing stuff up, and causing mayhem. And he's not even a cop. Where the hell do I sign up? I want to blow up a chemistry classroom, too. Levar Burton shows up- he's wanted for selling old books without covers as a side line to Reading Rainbow. Enough of that crap, let's talk about McQueen and the T/A. Sadly, a plot to the story is that his character is a bad driver, but the sad part is that McQueen drives a Trans-Am badly better than most people drive normally. Of course it gets blown to hell, but it's a good ten minutes. Seriously, I can only recommend this for McQueen. It's sad that the guy in the movie that's actually dying is the only actor in the movie that isn't dying on screen. McQueen, Wallach, and Trans-Am are awesome. The rest of this is shit.
Dean M

An uneven action film that focuses on a modern-day bounty hunter. Steve McQueen made a good final performance as a real-life troubleshooter Ralph "Papa" Thorson. Though old and a bit awkward, Thorson leads - at least on screen - a dangerous, action-filled life.

Cast

            Steve McQueen as Ralph "Papa" Thorson

            Eli Wallach as Ritchie Blumenthal

            Kathryn Harrold as Dotty

            LeVar Burton as Tommy Price

            Ben Johnson as Sheriff Strong

            Richard Venture as Spota

            Tracey Walter as Rocco Mason

            Tom Rosales as Bernardo

            Theodore Wilson as Winston Blue

            Ray Bickel as Luke Branch

            Bobby Bass as Matthew Branch

            Karl Schueneman as Billie Joe

            Lillian Adams as Blumenthal's Secretary

            Luis Avalos as Poker Player

            Taurean Blacque as Hustler

            Tony Burton as Garbageman #2

            Broderick Crawford
            
            Frank Delfino as Poker Player

            Linda Evans
            
            Peter Graves
            
            Kevin Hagen as Poker Player

            Wynn Irwin as Informer

            Poppy Lagos as Mrs. Bernardo

            Anthony Mannino as Policeman at School

            Margaret Mary O'Hara as Child on Subway

            F. William Parker as Watch Commander

            Jo Ann Pflug
            
            Michael D. Roberts as Poker Player

            Morgan Roberts as Garbageman #1

            Murray Rubin
            
            Jay Scorpio as Man on Balcony

            James Spinks as Angry Car Owner

            Clint Walker
            
            James Franciscus
            
            Bill Hart as Security Guard

            Marilyn Jones as Barmaid

            Nathaniel Taylor as Trotter

            Patti Clifton as Sexy Woman

            Alex Ross Perry as Clief McCurdy

            Matilda Calnan as Hospital Volunteer

            Teddy Wilson
            
            Thomas Rosales Jr.
            
See full cast

The Hunter (1980)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Chris G

Dean M

Cast

Trailers & Clips