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Director: Christopher Cain

Starring: Trent Ford, Tamara Hope, Jon Voight, Huntley Ritter, Shaun Johnston

This Romeo and Juliet style western is set against a vicious, but apparently true, story. The version here doesn’t feel balanced or completely convincing to me, so I’m not sure how much veracity it should be given. I will judge the movie, not the historical accuracy. The direction is average and the performances are likewise, though Voight is good in a supporting role. The dialog is lackluster and the story unclearly jumps back and forth, before leading to a difficult ending.

The year is 1857 and a group of settlers, including the beautiful Emily Hudson, is making its way to California, when their trail through Utah bring them into a surly group of Mormons, lead by Jacob (Jon Voight), who finally deigns to allow the wagon train to stop to rest in their territory for a couple of weeks. In that time, young Emily is smitten by Jacob’s son, Jonathan, while the Mormons find their opinion of their guests slowly changing.

While not a horrible film, there is nothing particularly appealing to recommend it, while there are so many good choices out there. I am a movie reviewer, and a fan of westerns, so I gave it a view. There is no reason why you should have to.

Director: Tom Gries

Starring: Charles Bronson, Ben Johnson, Richard Crenna, Jill Ireland, Charles Durning, Ed lauter

Director Tom Gries, who also worked with Bronson to make Breakout (another pretty good film), does a fair job in turning this Alistair Maclean novel and screenplay into a pretty good western mystery. Bronson plays his usual appealingly cool steely eyed thinking man and is backed up by a strong supporting cast of familiar character actors, and of course, his on, and off, screen companion, Jill Ireland. The story, here, is a cut above the usual 70s action fare. The first two acts of this film are a pretty taut, and intriguing, classic mystery, though act three falls back onto some mediocre action.

Charles Bronson is John Deacon, an accused murderer who is captured by a rugged Marshall (Ben Johnson). The two of them mange to get on a medical supply and troop train that is also carrying the Governor (Richard Crenna) and the lovely Marica (Jill Ireland). Deacon’s journey to his own hanging, soon turns quite eventful, however, when people on the train start dying of non-natural causes. The classic setting of a moving train for a murder mystery, is perfect and there are some nice wilderness shots and some decent action worked in, as well. As mentioned above, the third action gets a little tired, but still not bad.

Breakheart Pass is a different kind of western and a different kind of mystery, so fans of both genres may find it worth renting, or staying up to catch on a late night feature. Bronson fans will like it, as well, but I imagine they have already seen it and I’m not telling them anything new. That seems like as good a point as any to wrap this up. I have to get going if I’m going to head them off at the pass…

Director: James Mangold

Starring: Russell Crowe, Christian Bale, Logan Lerman, Dallas Roberts, Ben Foster, Peter Fonda,

Well, I have never seen the original version of this film, but I trust it was more convincing than this. As a true western lover, I may have had expectations that were too high, but this movie didn’t manage to win me over. The action is very well done, particularly the early stage robbery, and the characters are initially good, though Crowe’s scripture-spouting evil superman-like outlaw leader never really rang true for me. This started out as a mild, nagging irritant that grew as the story unfolded. Crowe and Bale’s performances are very good, and Ben Foster is good as ‘Hand of God’ (Great name) gunslinger, Charlie Prince, though his character is never developed beyond the superficial level. The story starts out strong but gradually lost me until its ending turned ludicrous and had me looking around to see the reaction of the rest of the crowd, but they appeared to be surprisingly engrossed in the silliness on screen.

The story is about two men, the first of whom is Dan Evans (Christian Bale), whose ranch is being strangled by a greedy businessman. The second is an arrogant outlaw leader named Ben Wade, who Evans sees leading an attack on a heavily armed stagecoach. Shortly after, the stunningly reckless Wade is easily captured. A plan is hatched to move him to a nearby railroad town and send him to Yuma Penitentiary, but Wade’s gang presents a problem. Evans offers to join the transporting posse, in return for much-needed cash and the story is set. Some kind of Old West-style Stockholm Syndrome sets in and the rest….well, i don’t want to blow the rest, but be careful not to give it any sort of thought.

There is some excellent, and original (particularly impressive in this genre) action and this backed up by some interesting characters, but Crowe’s characters’ actions are so far-fetched, that the whole story collapses and will likely leave all, but the bullet-countng,action crowd unsatisfied.

Director: Sergio Leone

Starring: Claudia Cardinale, Charles Bronson, Henry Fonda, Jason Robards, Gabriele Ferzetti, Frank Wollfe

Leone’s follow up to The Good, The Bad and The Ugly (The G, B and U), again used primarily American actors, unlike his earlier projects, but was not as strong as The G, B and U, however. Leone was a very patient director and was never one to rush a shot. This often worked to create absolutely magnificent scenes, like the final showdown in The G, B and U, and it works for some scenes in Once Upon A Time In The West, but he uses it too often, making the movie drag, despite a good story and good characters. It is still a pretty decent western, but far below the masterpiece that he was trying to follow up.

Charles Bronson takes Eastwood’s spot in this one as the man with no name, who has a mysterious purpose, an ever-present harmonica and a deadly gun hand. Claudia Cardinale looks great and performs well as Jill McBain, a spirited woman who travels out west to be with her new husband only to find him dead, but Henry Fonda steals the show as Frank, the coolest bad guy of any of Leone’s flicks. Jason Robards completes the conflict triangle that Leone loves so much as Cheyenne, another local outlaw. All of them are jockeying for position as the new railroad is built closer and closer to their area. The acting is excellent and the story is pretty clever for a duster, but moves slower than that railroad they are building.

If you love westerns, then this is one you should catch. It was one of the better ones of its day and you probably won’t be disappointed. Well, not too disappointed, anyway. Cardinale is drop-dead gorgeous, but that’s not why people are dying all around her. Bronson is cool and Fonda is deliciously sinister and makes this movie worth seeing on his own, so the rest is just a bonus. Might be better to rent it for two days though, because you will fall asleep on it the first night.

Director: David Von Anken

Starring: Liam Neeson, Pierce Brosnan, Michael Wincott, Ed Lauter

This is a very good western chase film that launches right into the story, puts you on the edge of your seat and keeps you there the whole time. Sprinkled with interesting characters, enough action, and unending tension, this one is worth seeing. The story is a little simple, but there is enough to let Neeson and Brosnan, skilled actors both, showcase their skills as a pair of hard-driven determined men.

This is gripping tale opens with Gideon, played by Pierce Brosnan, making his way alone through a wintery mountain pass, when he is attacked and shot by a mysterious group hunting him, led by Carver (Liam Neeson). Gideon turns out to be as resourceful as Rambo (and damn handy with a mighty big knife, as well) when it comes to escaping in the wild and soon sure death has turned into a long chase. Look for cameos by Wes Studi, Anjelica Huston and others. A couple scenes are pretty hard to buy, but I’m willing to give them that. Von Anken takes a slow, patient approach to revealing the history of Carver and Gideon and the end resolution will not be quite what you expect.

A must see for genre fans and action-drama lovers will probably enjoy it, as well. This one seemed to slip through the theaters and is undoubtedly quickly making its way to obscurity. You should catch it before it gets there.

strong>Director: Sergio Leone

Starring: Clint Eastwood, Eli Wallach, Lee Van Cleef

This was one of the last Spaghetti Westerns and it was by far the best. Great characters, superior dialogue, improved acting and a better story than previous Leone/Eastwood collaborations make this one of the best westerns of all time and certainly one of the ultimate ‘guy’ movies. Its haunting theme music is among the most recognizable of any movie score.

Clint Eastwood is Blondie (‘The Good), a smart, slick, gunslinger of few words who is pretty much the same as his character in the previous Italian westerns. Tuco (The Ugly), Blondie’s partner/enemy/friend/etc., is the best written part in the movie and is played masterfully by Eli Wallach, bringing ample humour and personality to the project, while still keeping the movie’s edge. Lee Van Cleef plays Angel Eyes (The Bad), who is a sinister, calculating killer. These three men are competing for some hidden gold while trying to avoid becoming fatally entangled in the civil war all around them. There are great battle scenes, some surprising gentle, and subtle, comments about war and the usual gunslinging of 60s Eastwood flicks.

All of us with a creative heart want, at some point, to master our craft and leave something behind that represents what we can do, what we have learned and what we want to say. Sergio Leone did just that with this movie, when his previous successes in low budget efforts, allowed him the opportunity to make the movie he wanted to. It is a fantastic effort, and rare indeed is the western that can measure up to it.

Director: Sergio Leone

Starring: Terrence Hill, Peter Fonda, Jean Martin, Piero Lulli,

Sergio Leone takes on the goofiest gun in the west in this slapstick comedy/western. This stunning change of pace takes some getting used to, and the jokes are mostly slapstick stuff, but with an undeniable silly kind of charm. The acting is uneven. Leads Peter Fonda and Terrence Hill do a good job, but some of the supporting players are straight from amateur hour.

Peter Fonda is an aging gunman, Jack Beauregard who is trying to get out of the gunnin’ biz, when he meets a wide-eyed and off-beat youngster (Hill) with crazy speed and a personality that is even more crazy. This joker only refers to himself as nobody and has a goofy innocence about him and, for some mysterious reason, knows all about Jack Beauregard. The two’s paths dross again and again and the viewer is made to wonder if they are destined to be friends or enemies. You will have to watch to find out.

The humour is simple, silly and aimed at the keystone cop crowd. Not all of the jokes work, but some do. This is worth watching on the late show or a lazy Sunday afternoon. It was popular enough at release to spawn a sequel. It is acceptable viewing if you are in the right mood.

Director: Walter Hill

Starring: Jeff Bridges, Ellen Barkin, John Hurt, Diane Lane, David Arquette, James Gammon, Bruce Dern, Christina Applegate, James Remar, Keith Carradine

Action icon, Walter Hill, both wrote and directed this rather surreal western that is based on a play, which came from the novel, Deadwood. Hill tries to balance Hickok, the legend with Hickok the man. In doing so, he makes the decision to make the famous gunslinger a hero, whose battles and killings were all justified, yet his past and future both haunt him. There is some stylish direction, but the dialog is often too wordy and overdone.

The Wild Bill story presented here, moves rapidly through Wild Bill’s life until he gets to Deadwood. After this, significant amounts of back-story are given through periodic grainy, angled scenes. Bridges does a good job in the title role and Ellen Barkin does her best as Calamity Jane, but she was too good-looking for the role, despite obvious efforts to downplay her beauty. John Hurt and the gravelly voiced James Gammon (The Hat Prince of the Duster) play his long time friends. Arquette is the weaselly killer, Jack McCall. The movie follows an artistic but roughly factual path, until the third act, when it gets too stage-like, and destroys what little gritty realism the film had up to that point.

Wild Bill has some pretty good scenes and several noteworthy performances, but is too surreal for the topic and struggles to get away from its stage roots in the third act. I have a soft spot in my heart for a good ole’ head-em-off-at-the-pass, shoot-em up Westerns, particularly those that tell a true story about the deadly character that I read about as a kid. Unfortunately, this attempt ultimately fails and doomed this film to an eternity of obscurity.

Starring: Kevin Costner, Robert Duvall, Annette Benning, Michael Gambon, Diego Luna

Director: Kevin Costner

We are not seeing too many dusters made these days, so as a fan of the genre I was glad to see this one come out. I was even gladder that it turned out to be a very good movie besides. Kevin has become rather hit or miss in the last decade or so. This was a hit.
Boss Spearman (Robert Duvall) is the leader of a free grazing cattle company (one that wanders about, grazing on open range) and Charley Waite (Costner) works for him. When they wander into the area of Denton Baxter’s (Gambon) ranch, he and his pawn of a sheriff, make it pretty clear that they aren’t welcome. Spearman and Waite find themselves faced with running from injustice or standing up to it, at deadly peril. Great stuff! This is the stuff that quality westerns are made of. The story is formulaic but well drawn characters and fine direction lift this western well above average.
There are mighty slim pickings on the range these days, but I reckon this could fill a western loving feller or filly for a spell. Sorry, I couldn’t resist. Good movie. See it by sundown or hightail it outta town.

Director: Sergio Leone

Starring: Clint Eastwood, Lee Van Cleef, Gian Maria Volante, Luigi Pistilli

This was a sequel to For A Fistful of Dollars and one of the Spaghetti Westerns. What can I say about them? The 1960s was a period of change for movies (and society, in general) and Sergio Leone’s westerns were part of that. Gritty and violent, they stood out from earlier westerns and viewers immediately liked them. Some are among my favorite Westerns, but not this one. This sequel is weaker than its predecessor for all the reasons and is marred by overacting and laughable sound effects (like whip cracking punches). Still is a Clint shoot’em up and has his squinty charm and cigar smoking cool going for it.

This one of Clint Eastwood’s man-with-no-name movies and he is once again a bounty hunter after a bad guy played by Volante (whose wanted post should say ‘Wanted, Dead or Jobless, for Crappy Acting’), but this time he has a rival, a slick dangerous bounty hunter played by Lee Van Cleef. Both are successful and have made a lot hunting men, but they decide to join up and co-operate For A Few Dollars More. The story is ok, but not as clever as the first movie.

For Clint Eastwood fans, this one is enjoyable and for Duster lovers, this part of a must have Sergio Leone collection, but Leone did far better with the first installment and neither measures up to some Eastwood efforts. Suitable for late night viewing or for a Clint Eastwood film festival to celebrate your new home theater set up. Other than that, put on The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, again.