Another Run through The Gauntlet A new book by Toby Roan and Edward Lamberti

Another Run through The Gauntlet

A new book by Toby Roan and Edward Lamberti 

Self-published, softback, 116pages, 2024, approx. 8” x 5”

Marlon Brando, Steve McQueen and Barbra Streisand had all been offered The Gauntlet before it made its way to Clint Eastwood. It became his sixth film as director, after The Outlaw Josey Wales, and hit theaters in 1977, right before Christmas.

Eastwood’s The Gauntlet is a big, loud, excessive chase movie that Roger Ebert called “fast, furious and funny,” while Judith Crist labelled it “the pits.” Audiences made it a hit. Today, it feels like a prototype for the supercharged action movies that would come a decade or so later.

It’s a great pleasure to feature this new publication from self-confessed fan of The Gauntlet, Toby Roan. If the name is familiar, Toby was responsible for some fine cult movies released through his Laserdisc and DVD label (The Roan Collection) back in the day – and excellent they were too, a good few of which still adorn my film shelves.

However, I first became acquainted with Toby a long time ago – when we came into contact through a shared love of Eastwood and his movies. So, when I heard from Toby again last year with his intention of putting this book together, I was happy to help wherever I could. 

The genuine magnetism of The Gauntlet - Eastwood’s 1977 crash, bang, wallop of a comic book movie is a really curious one. It did some great business at the box-office, yet it was pretty much panned by the critics as a completely, unrealistic, over-the -top exercise in film making. But despite the criticism, it is a film that fans continue to love and for many, it represents the peak of Eastwood’s 70’s superstar power. Yes, it’s a wild, adventurous ride, yes, it’s completely over-the -top, but it’s meant to be! It’s just a shame that some missed that message and failed to grasp its intention?

Roan’s book, is a compact homage to The Gauntlet, a retrospective look at the film and is clearly written from a fan’s perspective. So you won’t find too much negative criticism or heavy analysis here, instead there’s an unashamed love for the film and Roan hits the 116 pages with a genuine sense of head-on affection. Roan’s book follows the film’s entire journey through pre-production, cast and crew, the film’s release and critical response. There is also pretty good, detailed chapter on its promotion and marketing campaign, including, paperbacks, posters and soundtrack recordings. There are of course some minor limitations when it comes to self-published books of this kind, such as the lack of colour images, all images throughout the book are b/w which is a shame, as a great deal of the film’s artwork and several other designs are just begging to be seen in their full colour versions. But self-publishing is not a cheap business, and so often sacrifices have to be made. 

However, rest assured, the real winning element of Roan’s book can be unearthed in the writing, it’s clearly a labour of love, and if you share that love, you’ll no doubt be smiling broadly as you navigate from one page to the next. At the end of the day, ‘Another run through The Gauntlet’ is without doubt an appreciation, and an excellent, practical way of collating a unique overview and presenting it all neatly under one straightforward, no fuss publication.  

A time consuming and nicely detailed read that ultimately deserves respect. The book is a fine example of what fans can actually achieve given the time and commitment - and for that, it should be applauded for its merits. You have to ask yourself, who else was ever going to take the time and make the effort to write a book on this much misunderstood slice of 70’s cinema? Higley recommended, and a fine reminder of Eastwood’s golden period.

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