While running for U.S. Senator, publicity-conscious Texas marshal Kirk Douglas (as Howard Nightingale) captures bandit Bruce Dern (as Jack Strawhorn) - but the outlaw turns the tables on the lawman... "Posse" is a well-constructed film in that you can see the lawman and outlaw change places, and your expectations (at least in 1975) may not be met at the conclusion. It promises to "knock you off your horse."
This is a Kirk Douglas production in which he stars and directs. A generous man, Mr. Douglas gives the best part in the drama to Mr. Dern. Douglas also casts Bo Hopkins (as Wesley) well, and puts James Stacy (as Harold Hellman) in a dignified role - the "Lancer" TV hero had lost an arm and a leg in a motorcycle accident.
In most cases, you do not watch a film and "see" the director at work. Or, if it's someone like Alfred Hitchcock, the director's presence becomes unobtrusive, and most critics will complain if there are no obvious directorial "touches" in evidence. In truth, interest in the story should be above the director's art.
Here, you often "see" Douglas at work. It takes you out of the story often during the first half while what is happening is secondary to the cast and camera playing by Douglas (with terrific photography from Fred Koenekamp). Douglas did not have the opportunity to develop a "style" - or the train sequences in this film might have been considered classic Douglas. They are very nicely done, and the ending isn't bad, either.
******* Posse (6/4/75) Kirk Douglas ~ Kirk Douglas, Bruce Dern, Bo Hopkins, James Stacy
This is a Kirk Douglas production in which he stars and directs. A generous man, Mr. Douglas gives the best part in the drama to Mr. Dern. Douglas also casts Bo Hopkins (as Wesley) well, and puts James Stacy (as Harold Hellman) in a dignified role - the "Lancer" TV hero had lost an arm and a leg in a motorcycle accident.
In most cases, you do not watch a film and "see" the director at work. Or, if it's someone like Alfred Hitchcock, the director's presence becomes unobtrusive, and most critics will complain if there are no obvious directorial "touches" in evidence. In truth, interest in the story should be above the director's art.
Here, you often "see" Douglas at work. It takes you out of the story often during the first half while what is happening is secondary to the cast and camera playing by Douglas (with terrific photography from Fred Koenekamp). Douglas did not have the opportunity to develop a "style" - or the train sequences in this film might have been considered classic Douglas. They are very nicely done, and the ending isn't bad, either.
******* Posse (6/4/75) Kirk Douglas ~ Kirk Douglas, Bruce Dern, Bo Hopkins, James Stacy