MANY film fans will remember Charles Bronson mostly as an actor portraying characters pushed to vigilante action by horrendous unpunished crimes. I remember him most for some very super-scenic westerns which introduced a new kind of genre to the screen.

Our paths crossed on four films, each distinctively different . . . Death Hunt, Breakout, Chato's Land and Breakheart Pass. What they all shared were locations so impressive, moviegoers were tempted to rush to their world atlas and start planning a vacation to those sites.

If asked to name the dozen most photogenic films I've seen, Death Hunt would definitely be considered for one of them.

Based on a true story, it tells the tale of a mysterious reclusive trapper named Albert Johnson. The year is 1931, location a remote, sparsely populated Canadian outpost near the Arctic Circle. Framed for murder, he becomes the centre of an incredible search by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police that remains unmatched in their history, even today.

With Bronson as Johnson, and Lee Marvin, a very disillusioned non-conformist Mounty leading the search, it's tense and spellbinding with a surprise ending. The search leads through treacherous, desolate wilderness country of truly spectacular beauty. Except for very vivid bloodshed, a bit of unnecessary hokiness and some foul language, it is one of the screen's classic chase films.

Bronson explained: "Against all odds, Johnson actually managed to elude a combined force of trappers, Indians, bounty hunters and Mounties for 48 days in a chase that reached 150 miles north of the Arctic Circle in temperatures 40 below zero."

Really identifying with his screen character, Bronson continued: "Some believe he was a criminal; others like myself feel he was innocent of any wrong-doing, a victim of circumstances trying to defend himself against an unprovoked attack by a group of violent assailants."

Peter Hunt, responsible for many James Bond action sequences, brought his considerable experience to this film. Remember those hold-your-breath ski segments down Switzerland's El Diablo run in On Her Majesty's Secret Service? That's just a small preview of what happens here.

Mountain passes usually reserved for ski enthusiasts of helicopter-accessible peaks near Banff have never looked better. Views are sensational and if you're a mountain lover, the vistas will definitely get you in the mood to head for western Canada.

In an effort to accurately recreate the original manhunt, a Bristol open-cockpit biplane was actually built from scratch.

"This was the first time in Mounted Police history that an airplane was used in a manhunt. More normal in that era was the use of dog-sled teams and ten of those were used with sleds from that era," Bronson told us.

Contrary to common opinion, many sleds are still used in remote Inuit villages. Several years ago, while we were landing at such a site en route to Fort Yukon, villagers sledded out to the plane to pick up supplies. The scene was reminiscent of Sergeant Preston of the Yukon.

If a real escapist adventure with incomparable mountain scenery is on your dream list, you might want to consider doing it in baronial splendour settling into famed Banff Springs Hotel, now part of the Fairmont family. Some of the stars did. "It made it seem we were on vacation," they told me.

Although Bronson had enjoyed some success in America, not until he went overseas to star in "spaghetti westerns" did his name become big box office.

Originally he'd never dreamed of a film career. The 11th of 15 children, he'd expected to spend his life mining coal as his immigrant Lithuanian father and brothers did before him. Paid a depressing one dollar per ton, future prospects for him in Pennsylvania's coal mines was not bright.

Then came World War Two and after service overseas, Bronson saw a different world and decided to try his hand at set designing. Soon after attending Pasadena Playhouse from 1949-1950, he was tapped for supporting roles in productions like Pat and Mike, House of Wax and Machine Gun Kelley.

Fans began taking notice after The Magnificent Seven in which he held his own with Steve McQueen, Yul Brynner, James Coburn, Robert Vaughn and Horst Bucholtz. By the time The Great Escape, Battle of the Bulge, The Dirty Dozen and Once Upon A Time In The West appeared on screen, Bronson was well on his way. By 1970, he was rated the most popular box office male in France and Spain.

Certainly another of his super-scenic settings was the location chosen for Breakout. Based on a true story involving the prison breakout of an unjustly imprisoned victim (Robert Duvall), Bronson is hired by Jill Ireland to plan his rescue. Adding to the intrigue are John Huston as a powerful business tycoon and Sheree North playing Bronson's one-time girlfriend.

The area was intended to duplicate Mexico and Texas, but film fans will be surprised to learn what they're really seeing on screen is France. And, in fact, a very unusual region of France near Spain's frontier where architecture, mood and setting are permeated with Spanish influence.

The ancient town of Perpignan sits near the border with the dramatic Pyrenees to the south, Mediterranean to the east and Andorra not far west. It was there on a mountain top, above the border town of Le Perthus (115 miles from Barcelona) that producers discovered Fort de Bellegarde, which they called "the grim pile".

"We needed a prison which really looked impregnable to make the helicopter escape spectacular as possible", said Bronson. "This one was built in the 17th century and the only approach is via a one-lane road up the mountain. It was used by the Gestapo as a high-security prison in World War Two. Local people still talk about the many prisoners who walked up that road never to return again."

IN the film, Bronson is luckier as the daredevil adventurer who pulls off the rescue. It turns out we shared the same enthusiasm for this Pyrenees region where sites like Gavarnie and Pont d'Espagne are surrounded by an almost impenetrable landscape. So tangled are these rocky peaks, in many places it's been an unsuccessful challenge for road builders to connect France and Spain.

"I love working on location here," enthused Bronson. "It's a new part of France to me . . . this Cote Vermeille." He brought his family with him and they all spent a great deal of time sightseeing in the area.

"The town of Perpignan is a great discovery. The whole family adored it. Especially Place de la Loge and the Church of the Catalan kings. The entire area is very attractive. I was especially impressed with the fort."

In fact, he became such a Francophile he was in the process of considering purchase of a house near Antibes or Cannes which would be convenient to Nice studios where he enjoyed working.

"One thing you appreciate about working in France is the food," he said. "No matter where your work takes you in that country, there is always a little bistro somewhere nearby where food is marvellous."

And France definitely appreciated Bronson, flocking to his films. In 1972 he was named the biggest box office star by Hollywood's Foreign Press Association and in 1979 rated the film industry's top international star.

He was a man of few words but considerable action on screen, and those who interviewed the man who started life as Charles Buchinsky usually came away with the same impression. He was not a braggart or egotist and remained surprised by his remarkable success. Like Clint Eastwood, who also achieved his acclaim in middle age, Bronson felt "the role spoke for itself".

Jill Ireland, his wife of 22 years until her death from cancer, co-starred in 16 of his films.

"In the beginning, it was generally accepted that I had a face that looks like a rock quarry someone has dynamited." That was his favourite quote used in almost every interview. "Early on, I was cast as a gangster or an Indian."

It's in one of those Indian roles that he won praise for Chato's Land. A peaceful half-breed, he's forced to kill a taunting, bigoted sheriff in self-defence and the posse riding out after him prejudges his guilt because he's an Indian. Chato wants no further bloodshed and avoids confrontation by keeping ahead of his pursuers astride a magnificent Apoloosa horse.

The posse is merciless in its treatment of his family. Although not all members of the group approve of this violence, they make no effort to stop it, so Chato considers them all guilty. Infuriated by their cruelty, the peaceful Chato becomes a hunter pursuing those who have wronged him. Yes, Apache land was . . . and in many cases still is . . . just as wildly beautiful and challenging as sequences shown on screen.

In a total change of scenery, train buffs and mystery fans who also enjoy scenic locations applauded suspensful Breakheart Pass. A western-style Murder On the Orient Express, it's set against the beauty of Idaho's Bitteroot Mountains.

A vintage train with an unusual passenger list begins its climb into the back country, bringing help to an Army outpost hit by an epidemic. Aboard is the governor played by Richard Crenna, Ben Johnson is the marshal guarding accused murderer Charles Bronson, Cavalry Commander's daughter Jill Ireland, a doctor, clergyman, cook and several cars filled with replacement troops.

One by one passengers either disappear or are found murdered (with a minimum of bloodshed) and everyone comes under suspicion. Although some passengers in this Alistair MacLean thriller are travelling under false pretences, there is nothing phony about the scenery.

Producer Elliott Kastner chose some of the best the west has to offer and shows it in all its wintry splendour.

Bitteroot Range forms the border between Montana and Idaho with awesome scenery on both sides . . . tangled rocky peaks, dense forests, sheer canyons and tumultuous rivers. Certainly no area can boast more colourful history. The area parallels portion of the trail followed by Lewis and Clark. Chief Joseph led members of his Nez Perce tribe across the region from their nearby ancestral home, seeking refuge in Canada from the US Government which had taken their land. Their fight for freedom is recalled at several area historic sites.

"The plot called for Paiute braves to attack the military train and we thought that would be easy to cast with local Nez Perce. But it turned out most couldn't ride horses . . . they're used to driving pick-up trucks and Jeeps," Bronson told us.

"Railroad buffs will be interested in the train," he continued. The locomotive is Old 75 which started service on the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy and gained film status in Cat Ballou. The plush private car was used by millionaires in the 1800s."

For those who enjoy a good western as much as this writer, sadly another of the headliners is gone . . . one who quietly, in his own low-key way, went about seeing justice was done to those who overstepped their bounds.

Next week: A temptation to travel.