While I can't say that Kirk Douglas is one of my favorite actors, it's rare for me to be disappointed in one of his films. But disappointed is what I am while watching this film. When you sit though nearly half of film wondering to yourself if this is a good film...then it's probably not.
Problem number one: The first half-hour is a waste of celluloid. Men behaving foolishly. This got the film off to an awful start.
Problem number two: Jeanne Crain. Always a favorite, but this role just didn't fit her persona. And she doesn't even show up in the film until something like 33 minutes into it.
Problem number three: Kirk Douglas was a fine actor, except when he occasionally over-acted...which he did here. And his behavior in the saloon...well, let's be nice and say it wasn't very manly.
Problem number four: I'm not kidding about this...the pally relationship between Douglas' character and William Campbell's character kept making me think of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis in their film "Pardners". I'm not sure that was what was intended. William Campbell was a decent young actor; here he comes across as sort of silly.
And then, all of a sudden it just ended.
But there were a few good things about this film. The final cattle stampede was mostly well done except for (and watch for) the cartoon fence posts and the speeding up of the film during the fist fight. Come on guys...so obvious. That's Keystone Cops hijinks.
The best acting in the film are in the choice scenes with Claire Trevor.
Sorry, Kirk. This one gets a thumbs down.
Problem number one: The first half-hour is a waste of celluloid. Men behaving foolishly. This got the film off to an awful start.
Problem number two: Jeanne Crain. Always a favorite, but this role just didn't fit her persona. And she doesn't even show up in the film until something like 33 minutes into it.
Problem number three: Kirk Douglas was a fine actor, except when he occasionally over-acted...which he did here. And his behavior in the saloon...well, let's be nice and say it wasn't very manly.
Problem number four: I'm not kidding about this...the pally relationship between Douglas' character and William Campbell's character kept making me think of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis in their film "Pardners". I'm not sure that was what was intended. William Campbell was a decent young actor; here he comes across as sort of silly.
And then, all of a sudden it just ended.
But there were a few good things about this film. The final cattle stampede was mostly well done except for (and watch for) the cartoon fence posts and the speeding up of the film during the fist fight. Come on guys...so obvious. That's Keystone Cops hijinks.
The best acting in the film are in the choice scenes with Claire Trevor.
Sorry, Kirk. This one gets a thumbs down.