The McKenzie Break (1970)

Interesting facts

The McKenzie Break is a 1970 British war drama film directed by Lamont Johnson and starring Brian Keith, Helmut Griem, Ian Hendry and Jack Watson. It was written by William W. Norton, produced by Arthur Gardner and Jules V. Levy and filmed in DeLuxe Color.

Production

The film was based on the novel The Bowmanville Break by Sidney Shelley. Film rights were bought in January 1968, prior to the novel's publication, by the producing team of Jules Gardner, Arthur Levy and Arnold Laven, who ran LGL Productions and had a deal with United Artists. William Norton, who had done several scripts for LGL, was assigned to write the screenplay. The location of the story was shifted from Canada to Scotland.

In October 1968 Brian Keith signed to play the lead role. That month the novel was published. The New York Times called it "a crackling tale". "In the best tradition of escape literature," said the Chicago Tribune.

In February 1969 Andre De Toth was signed to direct. By April he had left the project and been replaced by Lamont Johnson. The film had been retitled The MacKenzie Break.

The film was shot in Ireland, at Ardmore Studios Co. Wicklow, and in Bonmahon, Co. Waterford, in October 1969.

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