Redwarmin This movie is the proof that the world is becoming a sick and dumb place

Lovesusti The Worst Film Ever

Sarita Rafferty There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

Cissy Évelyne It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

JohnHowardReid SYNOPSIS: A melodrama about an avaricious Confederate major who after the Civil War instigates a reign of terror in Texas in an attempt to build a large western empire. (A Universal DVD). COMMENT: Rock Hudson has some unbelievable lines and bits of business - in fact the dialogue all around is sometimes rather strained - and the plot really goes over the top for a melodramatic finish that even a nervy and accomplished player like Robert Ryan is unable to sustain. But an enjoyable excursion nonetheless thanks to Boetticher's (pronounced "Betty-car") vigorous staging of the action scenes, crisp color photography, and some most agreeable players, particularly Raymond Burr who makes all his scenes stand out, Dennis Weaver as the impetuous Dandy, and the lovely Judith Braun as Hudson's light-of-love. Some memorable moments with Acosta too. Boetticher is at his best with the set pieces (Adams giving Ryan the high sign, Ryan's night ride into the deserters' camp, Burr's acing Ryan's cards, Burr beating up Hudson, Fowley booting the pistol to Burr, Acosta browbeating Monsieur Morin, Dandy nixing, Ryan getting the upper hand of Arness). Interesting that despite his star billing, Hudson doesn't figure in any of these sequences except being on the receiving end of Burr's heavy hand!OTHER VIEWS: An I'm-gonna-build-a-Texas-empire-at-any-price western. Despite third billing under Ryan and Adams, Rock Hudson doesn't have much of a part. Even the climactic shoot-out is a switch. Still there are lots of nice close-ups of Miss Adams, plus an interesting support cast headed by that ace of heavies, Raymond Burr. On the other hand, the corny script with its cornball fade-out and corn-fed characters like do-gooder rancher John McIntyre and beautifully groomed Judith Braun, all militate against Boetticher's attempts to turn Horizons West into a classic post-Civil War outing. True, Budd's direction is competent enough, but it's confined and circumscribed by a screenplay that can only described as Universal trashy. Yes, it does incorporate enough action for the rabid fans, despite a tendency to become dialogue-bound and speechy. And admittedly, the color photography, sets and costumes are mighty attractive. But Rock's fans will not be happy. Ryan is not only handed the lion's share of the spotlight, but shares just about all the interesting dialogue and action with other players such as Burr and Acosta, both of whom stand out from the ruck far more than the luckless Rock. - John Howard Reid writing as George Addison.Frankly, I don't think Horizons West is a very good film. I was too young at the time. I wasn't mature enough to get on top of the subject. I particularly remember Robert Ryan's tremendous professionalism and talent, and Julia Adams who was really radiant and beautiful. That's all I can say about that film. - Budd Boetticher.

schappe1 Both are films made by Robert Ryan in the early 50's and they would make a terrific double feature.A comparison of the two movies is also interesting The Racket was done for Howard Hughes' RKO studio. Horizons West was a Universal picture. Both had famous directors, John Cromwell, (supplemented by several others, including Nicholas Ray) and Bud Boetticher. The Rackett is a re-working of a successful play and movie from the 1920's with a screenplay by WR Burnett, (High Sierra among others). Horizons West is done by Louis Stevens, a veteran writer of movie westerns, (this appears to be his best work). Ryan is the main "bad guy" in both movies but in each case, he's much more complex than that. His Nick Scanlon in The racket is violent and intimidating, almost reptilian. He's fully formed as a heavy from the moment we meet him. But we find out he either grew up with or went to school with Robert Mitchum's police Captain: in the grand tradition, they came from the same background but went in different directions. We also learn that Ryan sent his now troublesome younger brother to college to keep him out of the rackets. He clearly doesn't think much of the crooked politicians and new "corporate" crooks that are running things. And in the end, his revenge is to "tell the voters to vote for the honest politicians". Underneath the violence, he has a certain integrity. Something- we never learn what turned him against society while Mitchum remained well-adjusted and on the right side of the law. In Horzions West, Ryan starts out being a good guy, or at least not a bad guy yet. He comes home from the Civil War with his brother, (Rock Hudson), and a loyal friend named "Tiny", (James Arness). As they arrive in Texas, they have a conversation about the future. Arness wants to raise his family. Hudson wants to work the family ranch, just like before. Ryan shows a harder edge. He wants to make it big. They arrive in town, (Austin) to see that Yankees carpetbaggers have made it big. Ryan ties to associate with them but gets on the wrong side of Burr in poker game and is on the outside looking in. He organizes a band of out-of-work soldiers and deserters into a cattle rustling operation and establishes connections with a Mexican military officer who is running a crooked operation across the border. Eventually he gets even with Burr, who is killed. And has an affair with Burr's pretty young wife, (Julie Adams). In the beginning our sympathy is with him but as he grows more and more powerful, he becomes more ambitious and ruthless, which makes him too many enemies and causes his eventual downfall. In Horizons West, Hudson becomes the town sheriff and has to take on his brother, thus paralleling the Ryan-Mitchum relationship in The Racket. In that film, Ryan killed a policeman played by William Tallman, who became famous as Hamilton Burgers on Perry mason. In Horizons West, he kills Hudson's deputy, who is played by Jim Arness, soon to be famous as Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke. William Conrad, radio's Matt Dillon, appears as a corrupt policeman in The Racket. That film has two actors from Perry mason, the other being Ray Collins, who played Lt. Tragg. Horizon's West has two actors form Gunsmoke, with Dennis Weaver playing a very un-Chester-like gunman. Both films have a heavy dose of corrupt public officials. Both of them have a major movie star to face off against Ryan, although Rock Hudson was early in his career and never became the dramatic force Mitchum was. But Ryan dominates every scene he's in, no matter who is in it with him.

bkoganbing Horizons West casts Robert Ryan and Rock Hudson as the Hammond brothers, Confederate veterans of the Civil War who take different lessons from losing the conflict. Rock just wants to go back and settle down with their parents John McIntire and Frances Bavier and make their cattle ranch pay. Robert Ryan does not like being on the losing side and wants to be rich and powerful.Only problem is that Yankee carpetbaggers like Raymond Burr are grabbing everything in the South that's of any value. After a humiliating poker defeat from Burr, Ryan vows to get even and get Julie Adams who is Burr's wife and whom he takes a fancy to.Budd Boetticher directed this and while Boetticher is more famous for some of the features he did with Randolph Scott, this one has a lot to recommend it. Ryan gives a powerful performance as a man twisted by both revenge and defeat. He does defeat Burr, but in the process loses his humanity and his family though he gains Adams for what good that does him in the end.This western is also has a dubious distinction of boasting performances by James Arness and Dennis Weaver before they co-starred in Gunsmoke. Arness plays a Confederate veteran friend of both Hammond brothers who gravitates to Hudson. Weaver is another Confederate veteran who becomes Ryan's second in command in the rustling gang he first organizes in his quest for power.Horizons West still holds up well for today's audiences. Recommended highly for western fans, Budd Boetticher fans, and Robert Ryan fans.

Claudio Carvalho After the American Civil War, the brothers Dan (Robert Ryan) and Neil Hammond (Rock Hudson) returns to their father's ranch H Circle in Austin, Texas with their friend Tiny (James Arness). The greedy Dan does not adapt to ranching again and has the intention of raising a fortune of his own. He borrows one thousand dollars from a friend and play cards with the wealthy Cord Hardin (Raymond Bur). However he loses five thousand dollars and Hardin humiliates Dan. He recruits dangerous deserters and other scum to form a gang, and together they steal the cattle of Cord and other ranchers. Dan raises a large amount and returns to Austin, telling that he made a fortune in New Orleans. When Cord kidnaps Neil to interrogate about the business of his brother, Cord's wife Lorna (Julia Adams) goes to the hotel and tells to Dan what is happening in the ranch. Dan goes to Cord's ranch and kills him in self- defense. He is judged innocent and sooner he marries Lorna. But his ambition is not satisfied and Dan uses the force to raise an empire. However, his father and Neil decide to bring Dan to the court with tragic consequences."Horizons West" is a western about greedy in the Post-Civil War dividing a family of ranchers. Robert Ryan is excellent, as usual, in the role of a man that loses his values in the war and returns cruel and ambitious. Julia Adams is very beautiful, wearing wonderful costumes. There are excellent lines in the dialogs and in the end this is an entertaining film. My vote is seven.Title (Brazil): "Império do Pavor" ("Empire of Fear")