Years ago a Thai friend of mine asked me who Jimmy Cagney was. I'm not sure which Cagney film I showed him (definitely not this one), and after it was over my friend said, "Do Americans think that is good acting?" Now, every time I watch a Jimmy Cagney film I think back to that comment, and frankly, most of the time I conclude that Cagney is not a great, nor even a very good actor. Yet, there was something special about him. Perhaps a screen presence which superseded acting. Unfortunately, by 1956, an old Jimmy Cagney (aged 57, though he seems older) no longer had that screen presence (probably a major reason this film lost money). I'm 64. I don't know ANYONE who walks like that, moves like that, talks like that; it's not real. At this point in his career, Cagney was seemingly becoming a caricature of himself.
But actually, this is a good film...just a poor choice for the lead. Somehow, Cagney on a horse just doesn't sit right...so to speak. It's one of those sorta "big" Westerns, with spectacular scenery, a decent story, and some good actors. So if you're watching this for Jimmy Cagney, you may be disappointed. If you're watching this just as a Western, you'll probably enjoy it despite Jimmy Cagney...and it is a cut above most Westerns.
The plot is mostly pretty interesting. A man has a streak of cruelty in him that leads him to want to hang anyone who steals from him. Just why a much younger Irene Papas (in her American debut) would be so attracted to him...well, that's a hole in the plot. Along comes a young cowboy-to-be (Don Dubbins) who develops romantic feelings for Papas, father/son feelings for Cagney...until he learns more about who Cagney really is (in terms of behavior).
Don Dubbins is very good here as the young man, although I guess I would never have seen him as a future lead actor (and he wasn't). Stephen McNally plays the really bad guy well. Irene Papas, despite the illogical aspect of her character, does nicely here. Vic Morrow is overrated as a young man beginning to move toward the wrong side of things; he thought he was James Dean...he wasn't.
I'm glad I watched this film. Once. Cagney's career was winding down...and perhaps that was good. Because it's much better to enjoy his earlier films, such as "Yankee Doodle Dandy".
But actually, this is a good film...just a poor choice for the lead. Somehow, Cagney on a horse just doesn't sit right...so to speak. It's one of those sorta "big" Westerns, with spectacular scenery, a decent story, and some good actors. So if you're watching this for Jimmy Cagney, you may be disappointed. If you're watching this just as a Western, you'll probably enjoy it despite Jimmy Cagney...and it is a cut above most Westerns.
The plot is mostly pretty interesting. A man has a streak of cruelty in him that leads him to want to hang anyone who steals from him. Just why a much younger Irene Papas (in her American debut) would be so attracted to him...well, that's a hole in the plot. Along comes a young cowboy-to-be (Don Dubbins) who develops romantic feelings for Papas, father/son feelings for Cagney...until he learns more about who Cagney really is (in terms of behavior).
Don Dubbins is very good here as the young man, although I guess I would never have seen him as a future lead actor (and he wasn't). Stephen McNally plays the really bad guy well. Irene Papas, despite the illogical aspect of her character, does nicely here. Vic Morrow is overrated as a young man beginning to move toward the wrong side of things; he thought he was James Dean...he wasn't.
I'm glad I watched this film. Once. Cagney's career was winding down...and perhaps that was good. Because it's much better to enjoy his earlier films, such as "Yankee Doodle Dandy".