Well-received on release, the seven chamber Westerns from director Budd Boetticher with Randolph Scott (1956 - 1960; five written by Burt Kennedy) have only gained in critical esteem in the decades since. This, first and one of their best, already showing completely assured filmmaking with Boetticher leading us cleanly thru a tricky landscaped-forged story with memorable characters and remarkable narrative economy. When we open, former town sheriff Scott is already out searching for the seven bank robbers who left collateral damage behind (including his wife) and took 20 thou with them. Reluctantly stopping to help Westward wagoneers timeworn beauty Gail Russell and ineffectual husband Walter Reed, the three are in turn being closely followed by outlaw Lee Marvin (a threatening standout in his first above-the-title role) and his partner. Marvin’s letting Scott hunt down the killers, picking them off one by one, before taking his chance at grabbing the ill-gotten coin. Naturally, bumps and dangerous Indians along the way (neatly finessed by Kennedy to show Scott’s understanding of the cause behind the menace), all highlighted by Boetticher’s feel for spacial logic in building suspense, helped by lenser William Clothier’s precise angles. A small cheat at the end to free up a possible future romance the sole misstep. Or is if you don’t include the corny title song. Recent editions beautifully remastered for John Wayne’s old Batjac outfit, then at Warner Bros. The rest of the series moved to Columbia and producer Harry Joe Brown.
DOUBLE-BILL: Actually, a DON’T Double-Bill as the six remaining films in the series work best seen spaced a bit apart.
No comments:
Post a Comment