Kattiera Nana I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

Matrixiole Simple and well acted, it has tension enough to knot the stomach.

Hadrina The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

Sabah Hensley This is a dark and sometimes deeply uncomfortable drama

seveb-25179 Many Western movies have used Monument Valley as a back drop since John Ford popularised it, in movies like Stagecoach and the Searchers, but none better than this one in my opinion. Director David Miller seems to have spent time working out how to shoot the scenery from every favourable angle, with great attention to composition, finding many new and attractive combinations of the familiar landmark rock formations. Then provides the cast with plenty of opportunities to ride back and forth across in front of it. The movie itself, although not particularly accurate in a historical sense, keeps to the spirit of the more favourable interpretations of Billy's actions and has a sound structure. Robert Taylor, in his prime and decked out in shiny black leather, has rarely looked better, and Brian Donleavy is given a rare opportunity to play a "white hat", instead of his usual role as a leader of the "black hats".

vincentlynch-moonoi When I first began watching this film, I was so unimpressed I almost turned it off. It's a rare Western that today holds my attention. But I'm glad I stuck with it because, on balance, it's a very good film.But let me start with what I don't like about the film. First, it's another one of those movies that try to resurrect the reputation of an outlaw, in this case Billy The Kid. It almost tries to portray Billy as just a poor misunderstood young man. Baloney.And then there is some of the photography. On the one hand, an apparently, big budget Western with beautiful color photography, some of it filmed in Monument Valley and Sedona. On the other hand, some of the closeups of riding horses were so fake looking as to be funny, and some of the matte work was very fake looking.But what makes this film stand apart is the performance by Robert Taylor. It's the main thing that kept me watching. Taylor was able to show Billy's dark nature by a certain look on his face...a slightly disturbed look. He showed great immaturity and petulance. It was quite compelling.The supporting cast is quite good, as well. Brian Donlevy, who I felt had a somewhat uneven career, is quite good as Billy's friend, who shoots him in the end. Ian Hunter as a rancher is excellent, and I have always enjoyed his performances in films. Gene Lockhart has a bit of a different role here -- as the bad guy! Lon Chaney, Jr. is here, as one of the bad guys, but although a typical role for him, not the way I like to see Chaney. And, it's always a treat to see Henry O'Neill in a film, here as a newspaper editor.Of course, there's a question about historical accuracy. I recommend you read a brief history of Billy The Kid (e.g., Wikipedia). Taylor is too old for Billy; Billy was only 21 when he died. However, much of the story loosely follows history. What's depicted is the Lincoln County War in New Mexico; so, wrong state in terms of scenery. Sheriff Pat Garrett, for some reason, has a completely different name here -- Jim Sherwood. And how Billy dies in this film is not anywhere near the truth.However, all considered, this is quite an impressive Western, and well worth watching.

Neil Doyle BILLY THE KID's outdoor photography of handsome exterior settings gives this western a rugged flavor and ROBERT TAYLOR makes an acceptable Billy the Kid. MGM obviously wanted to toughen his appearance on screen as one of filmdom's handsomest male stars and chose to cast him in this rugged role. Most of the time his tough expression ranges from petulant to suspicious and not much else, but this was before his acting took on more dimension in other sturdier western roles.However, nobody in the cast can overcome the fact that the screenplay is rather routine. BRIAN DONLEVY is sturdy as the Marshall who grew up with Billy and MARY BRIAN is fine as the love interest. GENE LOCKHART is effective as a cowardly villain and others in the cast give the story some flavor despite a screenplay full of western clichés.Nice to look at, but easily forgettable as a story of Billy the Kid.

vitaleralphlouis Robert Taylor in 1941 was a tall, handsome, mature 40-year old man and typically played a hero or authority figure -- such as the leader of the wagon train in "Westward the Women." Here he's cast as a short, fun-loving immature teenage gunslinger. The casting is as hopeless as having Clint Eastwood playing Mary Poppins.Besides that, none of the story comes even close to the real (and easy to access) story of Billy the Kid -- which is far more interesting than any movie ever made about him.In 1941, Technicolor westerns were few and much appreciated, as color was new and the 3-strip Technicolor of that era was/is stunningly beautiful and far better than color photography in 2009. Seeing a picture like this would have been special. Actually, if you ignore the mis-casting and the true history, this picture is enjoyable.For a better look at Billy, seek out Universal's "The Kid from Texas" starring Audie Murphy. Billy's body-count is still inflated, but the story is 80% accurate and Murphy is perfect as Billy.