3 BAD MEN is clearly based on an earlier Ford film, MARKED MEN--which had been made and remade six times over the years. The most familiar (though not best) version was THREE GODFATHERS with John Wayne. Just like this other story, 3 BAD MEN is about how three criminals forget their evil ways and sacrifice their lives to save a young lady they came upon in the wilderness. There are many differences, however, and if you've seen any of the six versions of MARKED MEN, it's still worth seeing.
The story involves three criminals who plan on stealing horses as they are being taken across the wilderness by wagon. However, just as they are about to attack, another group of crooks attack first--killing the old man leading the wagon. They then attack and drive off the first group of desperadoes and are about to kill the final person with the horses when they see it's a pretty young lady. Inexplicably, they all immediately become captivated with her (!?) and instead become her protectors.
While the story idea is silly and recycled, the film is well worth seeing because of two main reasons. First, it's very entertaining. Second, and this is the part that struck me, the cinematography was amazingly beautiful. At times, it looked like an Ansel Adams landscape come to life. Additionally, the portraits of the American Indians at the beginning of the film are wonderful historical moments, as these Indians looked real--not the Hollywood idea of these natives, but real Indians.
Despite enjoying and still recommending you see the film, I must admit that blue-7's review is essentially correct. The final showdowns where the three "bad men" all sacrifice their lives one at a time to save the young lady they love were handled very poorly--which is a surprise for a master director like Ford. Each of these men did a rotten job holding off the enemy--not even bothering to hid behind rocks or thinking through their attacks. They simply threw away their lives--and not very convincingly.
So overall, you've got a silent film with a lot of mistakes and plot problems yet it still manages to entertain and have value. Not a great film by any stretch but still one John Ford or silent film fans should see.
The story involves three criminals who plan on stealing horses as they are being taken across the wilderness by wagon. However, just as they are about to attack, another group of crooks attack first--killing the old man leading the wagon. They then attack and drive off the first group of desperadoes and are about to kill the final person with the horses when they see it's a pretty young lady. Inexplicably, they all immediately become captivated with her (!?) and instead become her protectors.
While the story idea is silly and recycled, the film is well worth seeing because of two main reasons. First, it's very entertaining. Second, and this is the part that struck me, the cinematography was amazingly beautiful. At times, it looked like an Ansel Adams landscape come to life. Additionally, the portraits of the American Indians at the beginning of the film are wonderful historical moments, as these Indians looked real--not the Hollywood idea of these natives, but real Indians.
Despite enjoying and still recommending you see the film, I must admit that blue-7's review is essentially correct. The final showdowns where the three "bad men" all sacrifice their lives one at a time to save the young lady they love were handled very poorly--which is a surprise for a master director like Ford. Each of these men did a rotten job holding off the enemy--not even bothering to hid behind rocks or thinking through their attacks. They simply threw away their lives--and not very convincingly.
So overall, you've got a silent film with a lot of mistakes and plot problems yet it still manages to entertain and have value. Not a great film by any stretch but still one John Ford or silent film fans should see.