Rather routine but very well made Western - with touches of both humor and heart - starring The Duke as Lane, who, with his buddies Jesse (Ben Johnson) and Grady (Rod Taylor) and three other men, decide that they will help out a widow named Mrs. Lowe (a ravishing Ann- Margret). A long time ago her husband had participated in a major gold robbery, and now she wants the long-hidden gold recovered and returned to the bank in an effort to clear the guy's name. The group embarks on a somewhat treacherous, if not epic, journey to their destination, sometimes fighting amongst themselves along the way.
Western expert Burt Kennedy wrote and directed this entertaining movie. It's got enough laughs, poignancy, action, and suspense to make it a good viewing. There are plenty of gorgeous vistas (and matte shots by Albert Whitlock), all wonderfully photographed by cinematographer William H. Clothier, in his final feature film. The story is really nothing truly special, but it holds your attention for a decently paced 92 minutes. Certainly the opening credit sequence does have a very tense, watchful quality going for it. The main asset is an array of engaging performances: The Duke is typically commanding, Johnson and Taylor very amiable, Ann-Margret quite appealing. Rounding out Lanes' gang are Christopher George as Calhoun, singer Bobby Vinton as Ben Young, and stuntman Jerry Gatlin as Sam Turner. Ricardo Montalban makes a few fleeting appearances as a mysterious character whose presence is explained at the end of the picture. And the big reveal is worth a chuckle.
This may not be a great film of its kind, but it is a good one.
Seven out of 10.
Western expert Burt Kennedy wrote and directed this entertaining movie. It's got enough laughs, poignancy, action, and suspense to make it a good viewing. There are plenty of gorgeous vistas (and matte shots by Albert Whitlock), all wonderfully photographed by cinematographer William H. Clothier, in his final feature film. The story is really nothing truly special, but it holds your attention for a decently paced 92 minutes. Certainly the opening credit sequence does have a very tense, watchful quality going for it. The main asset is an array of engaging performances: The Duke is typically commanding, Johnson and Taylor very amiable, Ann-Margret quite appealing. Rounding out Lanes' gang are Christopher George as Calhoun, singer Bobby Vinton as Ben Young, and stuntman Jerry Gatlin as Sam Turner. Ricardo Montalban makes a few fleeting appearances as a mysterious character whose presence is explained at the end of the picture. And the big reveal is worth a chuckle.
This may not be a great film of its kind, but it is a good one.
Seven out of 10.