Cliff Robertson

The Films of Cliff Robertson

633 Squadron (1964)
A spectacular and technically explosive depiction of an RAF unit's successful but costly mission to demolish an almost impregnable Nazi rocket fuel installation in Norway. Cliff Robertson skillfully rattles off the leading assignment, that of a Yank wing commander whose squadron is chosen for the dangerous mission. George Chakiris is a Norwegian resistance leader who is to pave the way for the vital bombing raid. Maria Perschy supplies the romantic interest as Chakiris' sister and eventually Robertson's girl. Based on a true story, “633 Squadron” contains some of the most rip-roaring aerial action sequences ever recorded. (introduced and followed by a Q & A with Cliff Robertson)
Not Rated Running Time: 95 minutes
Sat., Sept. 13th, 2:30pm
Avalon Theater, Grand Junction

IFFC CHARLY (1968)
In the title role, Cliff Robertson was nominated for a Golden Globe and won Best Actor from the National Board of Review for his sensitive portrayal of Charly, a bakery employee with an IQ of only 59, who struggles hard each day to make it in the world. His drive to learn, read and write draws the attention of doctors looking for a candidate for a radical new scientific surgery (previously tested on a rat) to enhance intelligence. Charly’s intelligence begins to increase after goin through with the surgical procedure. He evolves into a genius, only to be able to truly understand that the results are only temporary. The emotional consequences are harder for him to handle than his intellectual growth. Robertson's acting abilities reveal the character's joy of learning, but also the tragedy and heartbreak of Charly’s eventual regression. His relationship with his caseworker/teacher, played by Claire Bloom is both touching and sad. A truly heartrending experience, made all the more poignant by Robertson’s incredible, star-making performance. (introduced, and followed by, a Q & A with Cliff Robertson)
Rating: PG
Running Time: 103 Minutes
Sat., Sept. 13th, 2:30pm
Avalon Theater, Grand Junction

(Thur., Sept. 4th, 2:30pm
Silver City Cinema, Leadville)

IFFC P.T. 109 (1963)
Cliff Robertson stars in this biographical, action-filled dramatization of President John. F. Kennedy's war time experiences in the Pacific during World War II. When the P.T. boat he captained was cut in two and sunk by a Japanese destroyer, Robertson expertly portrays Kennedy’s determination and resolve to heroically lead the survivors to safety on a deserted island. JFK gave natives a message carved on a coconut, which they passed along to an Australian coast watcher who alerted the Navy of the location of the men. Afterwards, Kennedy is eligible for a transfer back to the States, but decides to stay on and fight. President Kennedy set three conditions for the making of the film: that it be historically accurate, that profits go to the survivors of the PT 109 incident and their families, and that he would select the actor to portray him – It was Cliff Robertson that Kennedy chose for the role. His costars, were Ty Hardin, James Gregory, Robert Culp, Andrew Duggan and a young Robert Blake.
Running time: 140 minutes
Sun., Sept. 14th, 2:30pm
Avalon Theater, Grand Junction

(Fri., Sept. 5th, 12 noon
Silver City Cinema, Leadville)

OBSESSION (1976)
Nominated one of the Top Ten Films of 1976, with its distinguished cinematography by Vilmos Zsigmond and evocative and romantic score by Bernard Herrman, this thriller from director Brian De Palma, stars Cliff Robertson as a successful businessman from New Orleans. A tenth wedding anniversary celebration ends in tragedy when his wife Elizabeth (Genevieve Bujold) and their daughter are kidnapped. The police suggest that counterfeit money be used to pay the ransom, in an effort to catch the perpetrators. The plan backfires and his wife and child are killed in a car accident during a chase between the kidnappers and the police. Robertson is haunted by their deaths and tormented that he took the suggestion of the police, leaving him in a state of morbid obsession. A decade later, on a business trip in Italy with his business partner (John Lithgow), Robertson meets a woman who is a dead ringer for his wife. He falls heavily for her, and she returns with him to Louisiana. Just before they are to wed, she vanishes and he finds a ransom note. It is a duplicate of the one given to him ten years earlier, and he is steadfastly determined to not make the same mistake again.
Rating: PG
Running Time: 98 minutes
Sun., Sept. 7th, 2:30pm
BV Community Center, Buena Vista

THE GREAT NORTHFIELD MINNESOTA RAID (1972)
Director Phillip Kaufman uses the framework of the James/Younger gang's disastrous raid at Northfield Minnesota to create a unique and witty revisionist Western. Cliff Robertson is charming and charismatic as the outlaw Cole Younger. Full of nice touches like an early rough & tumble baseball game in a cow pasture, steam calliopes & tractors, and other period details. Wry humor in the hypocrisy of the banker & townsfolk, and in Robert Duvall's self-righteous, manipulative, psychopathic Jesse James and Robertson's laconic, intelligent, reflective Cole Younger. Well cast in all departments, nicely photographed in the gritty, wet, McCabe & Mrs. Miller fashion, with a similar slant on history. (introduced, and followed by, a Q & A with Cliff Robertson)
Running Time: 91 minutes
Wed., Sept. 3rd, 4pm
Silver City Cinema, Leadville