A Breed Apart

Director Philippe Mora (Howling 2, Pteridophyte Woman from Beverly Hills) helms this curious little film that has Vietnam vet Jim (Rutger Hauer) living on a secluded island up against egg poachers and the mountain climber that Whitier (Donald Pleasence) hires to steal bald-eagle eggs. Kathleen Turner also stars as Stella their love interest. And no 80's movie would be complete without Brion James as a bad guy.

A missing film reel was lost to time, but rather than trash the whole movie, the editors choose to cut around it. This explains why the film seems so scatter-shot, characters motivations are not always clear, the plot is muddled. However what remained is still watchable enough,

Eye Candy: Jayne Bentzen gets fully nude; Kathleen Turners shows T&A

I was expecting much more than this movie delivered, the actors involved have all given some great performances, but none of them seemed remotely connected to this story line. Hauer, who'd just made the classic 'Osterman Weekend' plays a former soldier, dedicated to looking after his own private island, and its bird population. Donald Pleasence is an avid collector of rare birds eggs and hires Powers Boothe to recover some extremely rare eggs from Hauers island.

Hauer gets himself in a local dispute with some hunters killing birds on his land, and so ensues a messy, clumsy war between him and the hunters. Add to this Powers Boothe arrival and the film starts to fall flat on its face. The acting is very average, and the films ultimate aim at pointing out the importance of nature is lost amongst the movies detracting subplots.

The direction and production isn't up to scratch, only adding the the films failure. Although an avid fan of hauers work, id recommend you don't waste your time on 'A Breed Apart'.

Why would I watch the movie now that the person who so carefully crafted the storyline on this page has just as carefully given away every single aspect of the movie?

If you are going to write a synopsis, then don't give away all the major plot points. Hint, give clues, talk generalities, but don't spoil THE WHOLE DAMN THING!

What is wrong with you people?

An environmentalist and adventurous film with special mention for the colorful cinematography, showing splendidly the wonderful outdoors. Concerns the veteran Jim Malden (Rutger Hauer), he is a strange recluse who lives in a tent-palace in the loneliest reaches of the Blue Ridge Mountains, where he protects the fragile birds of the region. His only contacts with humanity are with single widow Stella Clayton (Kathleen Turner) and her young son Adam (Andy Fenwick), who have a small supply store on the mainland. One day, the widow meets a mountain climber named Mike Walker (Powers Boothe) who comes to a visit to the island to observe two rare eagles. What he doesn't tell is that Mike has been hired by a billionaire collector (Donald Pleasence). An on-going battle over a rare eagle's eggs strikes sparks between the reclusive conservationist and the scheming adventurer.

An acceptable but uneven film with star-studded cast, it is absolutely stunning to look at. Dealing with a decent intrigue that involves a tough conservationist, an adventurer hired to steal bald-eagle eggs and a stubborn widow. The result is a nicely paced movie that manages to combine suspense, drama, romance and even a touch of post-Vietnam commentary.

The cast is pretty well, starring Rutger Hauer is fine as a Vietnam veteran who has lost his wife and child, living as a recluse on an island full of rare birds. Blond, cool, deep-voiced Rutger Hauer takes a break from cold-eyed killers to perform the independent-minded conservationist. While Kathleen Turner is the obstinate widow who falls in love for him. And Power Boothe -familiar to TV viewers as Philip Marlowe- as an adventurous mountain climber hired by an egg collector to steal the eagles' eggs. And two usual baddies, Brion James and John Dennis Johnston . To this day all the main and supporting actors have unfortunately passed away, except for John Dennis Johnston and Kathleen Turner, who is now very old and chubby.

The film's landscape photography stands out, with its gorgeous forests and mountains, shot on location in Lake Lure, Asheville, Biltmore Estate, Chimney Rock Park, North Carolina. As well as the unique musical score by Maurice Gibbs, one of the members of Bee Gibbs. The motion picture being basically an adventure flick, was unevenly directed by Philippe Mora, containing some shortfalls , flaws and gaps. Director Philippe Mora seems to have an empathy for the material, but at times giving a lethargic filmmaking , though provides some thrilling scenes. A certain professionalism in the direction cannot fully sustain the thin and disjointed story. Mora is an Australian craftsman who has made a lot of films in all kinds of genres , getting successes anf flops. Usually directing in low budgets, his uneven career with highs and lows is made up of the following films : "Scream of a winter night , The Beast within , Return of Captain Invincible , A Breed Apart , Howling 2 your sister is a werewolf , Holing 3 The Marsupials , Death of a Soldier , Communion , Precious Find , Back in Business , Pterodactyl Woman of Beverly Hills" and several others . Rating: 5.5/10. The picture will appeal to Rutger Hauer and Kathleen Turner fans.

Jim Malden (Rutger Hauer) is a reclusive woodsman who obsessively protects the animals on his land. Single mom Stella Clayton (Kathleen Turner) owns the local store and has a crush on him. Mike Walker (Powers Boothe) needs $150k to fund a mountain climb in China. Rich egg collector J. P. Whittier (Donald Pleasence) is willing to pay, but needs Mike to steal the eggs of a new breed of bald eagle. In fact, he wants all the eggs to drive the new species into extinction.

These are big time actors from this era and I am surprised to have never heard of this movie. After doing some reading, I can see why. Aside from any difficulties, the story is rather wonky. The premise of the new eagle species is also a bit wonky. On top of that, it's hard to outright root for any of the characters. In the end, I love these actors and that helps a lot.