Westerns were still in vogue in the sixties and many
classics of the genre were made during this decade. One of the driving forces
in the genre was director John Sturges who made films like THE LAW AND JAKE
WADE, THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN, THE HALLELUJAH TRAIL and GUNFIGHT AT THE O.K.
CORRAL. Ten years after that last film he returned to the subject matter with
this film.
The movie opens with the classic showdown between lawmen
Wyatt Earp (James Garner) with Doc Holliday (Jason Robards) and brothers Morgan
(Sam Melville) and Virgil (Frank Converse) by his side against the Clanton
gang. The film presents a different story than most in that we see a town where
some are fearful of Earp and his way of doing things rather than offering full
support. Previously films depicting the gunfight always portrayed him as
flawless.
What follows is a trial where lies are spoken but the truth
comes out as Ike Clanton (Robert Ryan) attempts to thwart the efforts of Earp
to prevent him from taking over everything. When he offers money to the man
that takes out the Earps things begin to go worse for Clanton. With both Virgil
and Morgan shot, one dying, Wyatt and Doc recruit a few men to help and set out
to track down and either kill or bring back the last members of Clanton’s gang
to face justice. By this time even Clanton has left town for safer spaces.
The movie wraps itself around the discussion of trying to
figure out if Earp was a man seeking justice and upholding the law or if he’d become
a self-proclaimed vigilante by this time. At times he seems to be one or the
other but for the most part I found the character to be a little bit of both.
With the way things were in the west during this period in history it would be
hard to determine how to separate the two.
The movie is an entertaining western that provides plenty of
action as well as scenic views of the wide open spaces. Both Garner and Robards
take relish in their roles and give them life that some actors might simply
walk through. The supporting actors are great as well with Ryan taking to the
heel role with ease. Among the other cast members both Monte Markham and
William Windom as fellow trackers aiding Wyatt and a then unknown named Jon
Voight as one of the bad guys stand out. In the end this is how westerns were
back then and it is a treat to watch as a fan of the genre.
Twilight Time offers the movie in a clean and beautiful
presentation but with few extras. Sometimes there just aren’t many to offer
which is understandable. Here we have an isolated music & effect track and
the theatrical trailer. With only their standard 3,000 units made if you’re
looking for a copy pick one up before they’re gone.
Click here to order.
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