TrueJoshNight Truly Dreadful Film

ChanFamous I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.

Payno 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.

Married Baby Just intense enough to provide a much-needed diversion, just lightweight enough to make you forget about it soon after it’s over. It’s not exactly “good,” per se, but it does what it sets out to do in terms of putting us on edge, which makes it … successful?

Neil Welch Squillionaire rancher and land baron John Chisum comes up against crooked and murderous business magnate Lawrence Murphy. Chisum is a hard nut, too, and no prizes for guessing who prevails in this highly inaccurate retelling of the Lincoln County range wars.One of John Wayne's last few westerns, directed by Victor Maclaglen's son Andrew (who usually turned out reliably entertaining cowboy fare) this one is full of action, colourful, long, and pretty much done by numbers. Many familiar faces from westerns of the day pop up in this absolutely bog-standard John Wayne oater.What else can I say? Not much. Wayne's stunt double in the final film is hilariously obvious, and the theme song is perfectly dreadful.Enjoy.

thefinalcredits 'We may have to be neighbours, but I don't have to be neighbourly.'A year after his Academy-Award winning performance as Rooster Cogburn, the Duke starred in this unremarkable traditional Western vehicle. Loosely based on the history of the 'Lincoln County War' of 1878, the sole screenplay of any weight produced by Andrew J Fenady, an amateur expert on this conflict, employs great artistic licence. As such, although the titular figure was a substantial New Mexico cattle baron, who, alongside his business associates, challenged the monopoly enjoyed by the local crime boss, Lawrence Murphy, he did not, as depicted here, play a lead role in the armed conflict which ensued. Yet, when Wayne's son and producer, Michael, read the adapted storyline of a man forced to take the law into his own hands to avenge the deaths of his friends, he knew it would appeal to his father's politics. The obvious choice for director was Andrew V. McLaglen, having directed Wayne in 'McLintock' seven years earlier - another story of a cattle rancher attempting to preserve law and order. Likewise, Wayne's favourite cinematographer, William Clothier, was recruited to add his beautiful expansive shots, such as that opening vista of Chisum's territory. Aside from the regular cast faces known as the 'John Wayne Stock Company', this film reunited a few cast members from Wayne's only other feature to garner him an Oscar nomination for lead actor - 'The Sands of Iwo Jima'. Chief among these was Forrest Tucker, cast as Murphy, who again here would play Wayne's sparring partner, and Richard Jaekel, as Murphy's henchman. Yet, the expansive cast of characters interrupts any flow to the narrative, while McLaglen tries, and fails, to capture the majesty and charm which permeate the works of John Ford. In addition, the film falls prey to all the usual clichés of the genre, though what dates the movie above all else are the opening credits and the much-derided title song - narrated by former actor, and voice artist, William Cannon, who would become TV detective, Cannon, the following year. The aforementioned artistic license is most evident in the interaction between Billy the Kid and Pat Garrett. Not only, would the writer have us believe that Garrett, played superbly by Glenn Corbett, would fraternise with the 'Kid', ahead of their infamous encounter, but also compete with him as a love rival over Chisum's niece. The latter is portrayed without much spark by Pamela McMyler in the most prominent role of her career - a more than passing resemblance to Bridget Fonda? - and this sub-plot grates, especially with Merle Haggard's 'Glen Campbell imitation' ballad. By contrast, Geoffrey Deuell, younger brother to the ill-fated star of 'Alias Smith & Jones', copes well enough in his thankless task of portraying the 'Kid's' inner conflict to control his homicidal tendencies. Though the director was proud of capturing this figure's humanity, there can be no escaping the banality of such scenes as when Bonney is literally shown weighing up in both hands the power of his gun and the Bible. The other principal character to be transformed by the writer's pen is that of Chisum's business associate, and the 'Kid's employer, Tunstall. Not only is his Christian name needlessly changed, but portrayed as much older than the real Tunstall - thereby allowing Patric Knowles, Flynn's Will Scarlett, to take on the mantle armed with a pipe - whose murder, in his twenties, was the catalyst to the subsequent fighting. If there is a saving grace, it is the entertaining and charismatic presence that was the Duke. Similarly, the production benefits from the 'light relief offered by Ben Johnson as Chisum's killjoy sidekick. Finally, entering this outmoded depiction of the West, like some stray figure from the revisionist strand of the genre, appears the unshaven and steely- eyed Christopher George as the fictitious bounty-hunter, Dan Nodeen. Though this appearance did not spark a spate of more prominent Hollywood roles, it did spark romance with co-star Lynda Day leading ironically to marriage to the man who shoots her on-screen husband in cold blood. The finale has the final showdown between Chisum and Murphy in a fight to the death, when the truth is that in reality they would both end their days dying peacefully in bed. This clash embittered Wayne due to the easily discernible presence of his long- term stunt double, Cliff Roberson. Most laughably, there is the comical appearance of the Duke, obviously hiding out of shot while his double takes the fall down the stairs. Overall, passable entertainment, but, given McLaglen'lengthy stretch in the directorial seat for 'Gunsmoke' resembling more of an extended version of a 'Bonanza' episode than a 'Tinseltown' classic.

Wuchak Released is 1970 and directed by Andrew V. McLaglen, "Chisum" is based on the real-life Lincoln County War in New Mexico, which was a range war of feuding factions involving quite a few famous Old West people, like Billy the Kid (Geoffrey Deuel), sheriffs William Brady (Bruce Cabot) and Pat Garrett (Glenn Corbett), cattle rancher John Chisum (Wayne), lawyer and businessman Alexander McSween (Andrew Prine), and the organized crime boss Lawrence Murphy (Forrest Tucker). Christopher George is a highlight as a mean bounty hunter turned sheriff.As you can see, there are loads of characters and the film smartly takes its time setting them up and the social dynamics thereof. Everything explodes in the second half when one of the characters decides to take the law into his own hands. And who can blame him when the "law" is bought by money-man Murphy and is therefore corrupt? For another take on these same events see the excellent "Young Guns" (1988), which is a little more historically accurate.A film critic said "Chisum" was juvenile, but it's really not. Yes, there are some expertly choreographed gunfights, mostly in the final act, but the story is relayed in a realistic manner with quality characters and there's no goofy humor or slapstick, as in Ford's cavalry trilogy (1948-50). As far as women go, Pamela McMyler plays Chisum's likable niece and the Lynda Day George has a small role as the wife of the lawyer.Bottom Line: This is a realistic and rollicking latter-day Wayne Western based on real Old West characters. I rank it right behind "El Dorado" (1966) "True Grit" (1969), "The Cowboys" (1970) and "Rooster Cogburn." In its unique way, it's on par with "The Comancheros" (1961), "The War Wagon" (1967), "Rio Lobo" (1970) the underrated cult Western "The Train Robbers" (1973) and "The Shootist" (1976).The film runs 111 minutes and was shot in Durango, Mexico; Santa Fe, New Mexico; and Calabasas, California.GRADE: B

Desertman84 John Wayne top lines this biography of the cattle owner John Simpson Chisum, a controversial figure who was the most powerful man in New Mexico during the Wild West era in this film entitled,Chisum. Forrest Tucker, Christopher George, Ben Johnson, Glenn Corbett, Geoffrey Deuel, Andrew Prine, Bruce Cabot, Patric Knowles,Richard Jaeckel and Lynda Day George co-star to play key supporting role.It was written,produced and directed by Andrew J. Fenady.A founder and prominent citizen in the town of Lincoln, Chisum is slow to act when ruthless land baron Lawrence Murphy moves in on several local businesses and takes them over. By the time Chisum and his ally, fellow rancher Henry Tunstall, decide to go to the law, Murphy's already bought and paid for influence there, as well. The only recourse left to the cattlemen is to take Murphy on in all-out range war that embroils everyone in the county, including Tunstall's hand Billy the Kid Bonney and his comrade Pat Garrett.Like other Wayne movies, there's complete identification between reel and real life: Chisum is described as tough, trusting, generous and sentimental.This is showcases John Wayne in the twilight of his remarkable 200-plus film career.But nevertheless,he remains a commanding presence on the screen.Also,this remains a hallmark of a John Wayne film as it contains gorgeous scenery, plenty of action, and a good dose of humor.Overall,this movie is just like any other Western film that Wayne appears.