Westerns > I Westerns

Breakheart pass

Advantages: Good Adaptation of a MacLean novel
Disadvantages: Film a bit grainy

This MGM production of 1975, is a good 70s western, that differs from the rival spaghetti westerns of the time, in that it doesn't focus on gufighters or shoot outs. Based on the novel of the same name by Alistair MacLean, the storyline in the main stays close to the original, not suprising in that the author also wrote the screen play for the film. The film is also produced by the same people who made Where Eagles Dare and When Eight Bells Toll ...
...journey to relieve a western fort. Onboard the train is a section of troops, the local governor (Richard Crenna) and his girlfriend (Jill Ireland), a preacher and a doctor, along with all of the railroad employees. On stopping in the town of Myrtle, we also come a cross a Deputy Marshall, Nathan Pearce, (Ben Johnson) who is trying to hitch a lift as he makes his way to the fort. Myrtle is also where Charles Bronson is introduced as a wanted criminal ...

mrtimharry 19.02.2008 · Read full review
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Review of Breakheart Pass (DVD)

A Slow Burning Western

Advantages: Script, direction, cinematography, Danny Huston
Disadvantages: Ray Winstone and John Hurt, well.... Hurt.

The Proposition is a star cast led Western set in Australia in 1880's. It's about a gang of 3 lawless brothers on the run for rape and murder. Two get caught and handed over to Capt. Stanley (Ray Winstone). Brother Charlie (Guy Pearce) is practical and brother Mikey is a childish simpleton. Stanley wants to capture the third brother Arthur (Danny Huston) as he is the most dangerous and wanted of the 3 so offers a deal to Charlie. If he finds and ...
...Charlie sets out to do the deed unsure whether he can see it through. This is an incredibly bloody film which on the whole works well but is let down by some performances. It is superbly directed by John Hillcoat who together with writer Nick Cave have created a vision of true menace and lawlessness. The cinematography is superb too and with many beautiful panoramic scenescapes of the Australian outback. In terms of performances, Danny Huston is ...

Nixu1980 19.10.2009 · Read full review
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Review of The Proposition (DVD)

The Tale of a Native Poetic Indian and his white American Friend

Advantages: A Nicely Paced Contemporary Western with a touch of Classic Film Noir
Disadvantages: Might be a bit slow and eccentric for some

Dead Man is a bit of a dark horse and probably not a film a lot of people have seen. The film's director is Jim Jarmusch who I have a lot of respect for. I have always described his work as visionary and along with Tim Burton seems to have established himself in the upper echelons of Hollywood. A former film student, he first came to the public's attention in 1984 with his low budget black and white piece, Stranger than Paradise, and then two years ...
...believes Blake is actually the dead English poet of the same name. The story, with Nobody's help, leads Blake through situations that are in turn comical and violent. Contrary to his nature, circumstances transform Blake into a hunted outlaw, a killer, and a man whose physical existence is slowly slipping away. Thrown into a world that is cruel and chaotic, his eyes are opening to the fragility that defines the realm of the living. It is as though ...

Praski 05.10.2009 · Read full review
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Review of Dead Man DVD

A very slow assassination of Jesse James by Robert Ford

Advantages: Great cast performances and a good film in general
Disadvantages: Very slow pace and would be hard and boring to watch a second time

The assassination of Jesse James is based on the true events and retells the story of the famous outlaws' final few months leading up to death, and his relationship with his killer Robert Ford. The film is set at a slow pace, for example the speed at which all the characters talk is rather slow and you almost feel as though you know what will come next, particularly with the assassination scene. The performance of all members of the cast was especially ...
...Pitt performed well. The film also did a great deal for the career of Casey Affleck, who was much appraised for his role in the film. In the film Robert Ford has great admiration for Jesse James and is often teased for this. This leads him from wanting to be close to Jesse to eventually killing him to become a celebrity in his own right and for the bounty money offered. Brad Pitt plays the role of Jesse James as an increasingly tired and paranoid ...

LukeG91 21.09.2009 · Read full review
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Review of The Assassination Of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford (Blu-ray)

Take it easy Catherine..!!!

Advantages: Excellent story-line, superb acting by Lee Marvin.
Disadvantages: Weaker characterization of Clay Boone.

...directed the famous western movie Cat Ballou, and it was released in 1965. It was a huge financial success at the box-office. This movie also achieved several prestigious awards for its unique and engaging story-line and superb acting by lead characters. The story of this movie revolves around an educated young lady, who gathers a team to avenge her father’s brutal murder. ~STORY BASED ON~ The story of this movie was taken from a novel written ...
...and widely recognized for directing Cat Ballou. One of the most famous American actresses Jane Fonda portrayed the title character in this movie as Catherine Ballou. MAIN CHARACTERS • Jane Fonda plays the role of Catherine “Cat” Ballou(An young girl, just completed her eastern education, and coming back to her father’s ranch in Wyoming) • Michael Callan plays the role of Clay Boone (A young criminal and captured by local Sherriff for trial and ...

Gladiator007 18.09.2009 · Read full review
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Review of Cat Ballou (DVD)