User Reviews

Here is another great American Western that slipped under my radar.

Where to start, Dircted by Michael Winner, starring Burt Lancaster in whats got to be the best Western I've seen him in so far, with Robert Ryan, Lee J. Cobb, Robert Duval, Albert Salmi, Ralph Waite, JD Cannon, John McGiver, John Hillerman, Wilford Brimley and Sheree North in whats gotta be the biggest & best role I've seen her in. Plus a great supporting cast of all good actors in realistic parts.

This is sort of a psychological/action Western hybrid with an emphasis on very good action, so its got a lot of dialog but its great dialog that sounds true with a good ear for Western slang.

A guy named Ray Moyer did the set design, and this is another standout of this film, a great job, he is as good as Carlo Simi, I couldn't believe how much detail was crammed into this film. Everything looks spot on, the town set is fantastic, the ranch's are great, interiors highly detailed. Roberto Silva & Herb Westbrook did the Art direction and they deserve mention too.

There is a whore house set thats great it features a crippled gambler/pimp who hobbles about on crutches who is a past friend of Maddox, he has this skull clock sitting on his card table that is a nice touch. All the whores are real looking women not caricatured or dressed overly flashy.

The landscape & town sets were all shot in Durango, Mexico and some of the buttes featured were just beautiful, don't remember seeing these locations before but the rock in the outcrops look similar to those seen in the Magnificent Seven.

The story basically revolves around Bannock Marshall Jared Maddox (Lancaster) a "mankiller" he has the nickname "The Widowmaker". Maddox is after a bunch of drovers who shot up his town during a drunken spree killing an old man. The drovers work for big time cattleman Vincent Bronson (Cobb) near the town of Sabbath, New Mexico.

Maddox has a reputation for being quick on the draw, and always getting his man, we first see him riding into Sabbath with a corpse. He ties up at the Sabbath Marshall Cotton Ryan's (Ryan) office and he tells Ryan what happened and who he's after. Ryan tells him that the men all work for Bronson, and that he'll ride out to the ranch & tell them that Maddox wants to bring them back for trial to Bannock. Bronson's men decide to tough it out and face Maddox.

This film even has a love interest thats handled the just the way it should be in that it doesn't detract from or slow down the narrative one iota.

The score is nothing that sticks in head and pretty forgettable, its not an Spaghetti Western , no picaresque characters or humor, but it does have some SW influenced action as do a lot of the post Leone & Peckinpah films of the 70's.

The ending is worth the price of the DVD which I just ordered. Michael Winner best film, IMO.

Check it out you wont go wrong.

Director Michael Winner is a controversial figure, at least in his native Britain, partly because of his political opinions, but chiefly on account of the `Death Wish' movies, which were widely seen as advocating wild-west style vigilante justice in a modern urban setting. I was therefore interested to learn that, before making these films, Winner was also responsible for `Lawman', a traditional Western that takes a more subtle, nuanced view of law and order.

Burt Lancaster plays Jered Maddox, the Sheriff of the small Western town of Bannock. Maddox has travelled to another small town, Sabbath, to arrest the cowboys who were responsible for the death of a man in Bannock. The local people of Sabbath, however, are not willing to help him, and the local Sheriff, Cotton Ryan, is a coward whose motto is `anything for a quiet life'. Despite this lack of cooperation, Maddox remains determined to do his duty, come what may.

The above summary might suggest that this is a story of right versus wrong along the lines of `High Noon', with Maddox standing as the lone representative of truth and justice against the forces of evil and cowardice. Things, however, are not so simple. It appears that the death was not deliberate murder, but an accidental shooting resulting from drunken gunplay. The cowboys' employer, a wealthy rancher named Vincent Bronson, is a popular figure in the town. Maddox himself admits that, even if he succeeds in bringing the men back to Bannock, they are unlikely to receive condign punishment, as the local Judge is notoriously corrupt and could easily be bought by a man of Bronson's wealth.

At first Maddox does seem to be a heroic figure, and he certainly shows great physical courage in facing his adversaries. Fearlessness alone, however, is not enough to make a man a true hero, and as the film progresses we begin to question whether he really is doing the right thing. Although the cowboys are likely to be acquitted if tried, and to receive a lenient sentence if convicted, their false pride and obsession with honour means that they cannot bring themselves to surrender without a fight. One by one, unafraid of his reputation as a lethal gunfighter, they challenge Maddox and are shot down. As the death toll mounts, we begin to see that he too is guilty of false pride and an obsession with upholding an abstract idea of justice, no matter what the human cost. `Fiat justitia, ruat caelum', said the Romans- let justice be done, though the heavens fall. When Maddox takes this idea to its absolute limits, the result is tragedy.

There are a number of good performances. Lee J Cobb gives a poignant performance as Bronson; cattle bosses are usually shown as villainous figures in Westerns (Bruce Cabot's character in `Dodge City' being a classic example), but Bronson is a decent man, regarded as a generous benefactor by the people of Sabbath. His tragedy stems from the conflict between his sense of personal honour and a growing realisation that violence is not the answer to life's problems. Robert Ryan is also good as Sheriff Ryan, a once-brave lawman whose character has been corrupted by years of compromise, as are Sheree North as Maddox's love interest and Richard Jordan as a young gunfighter out to make a name for himself. The real star, however, is Burt Lancaster as the steely, inflexible Maddox. This is a role which combines the two distinct sides of Lancaster's talent as an actor. On the one hand, he could play a swashbuckling action hero in Westerns and other films such as `The Crimson Pirate'. On the other, he was also the thoughtful, star of intelligent films like `Birdman of Alcatraz', `The Train' or `The Swimmer'. Maddox is a fearless gunfighter, but he is also a man whose actions give rise to philosophical questions about law enforcement, the nature of justice, and the nature of honour. One could therefore almost say that it is a role that Lancaster was born to play, and he does so brilliantly. The result is a complex film that asks difficult questions without providing easy answers. It is unfortunate that Winner did not make more films like this; none of his other films that I have seen come close to it in quality. 8/10

There are many fine performances in this film. Robert Ryan is the former hero who now admits he "eats dirt" for a living. Sheree North is at her finest as a lady with a past whose love for her man is unappreciated. Robert Duvall plays an interesting character who pleads not to have his life ruined (but watch the opening scenes closely to see just what he does to someone else's livelihood). Lee J. Cobb gives his usual strong performance as a guy who leads a wild bunch but gave up being wild long ago. I've read many of the reviews on imdb concerning this western, & I have to conclude that only a few writers have understood it well. It's about good & evil, yes, but who is good & who is evil? Does "good" have to be 100% good & does "evil" have to be 100% evil? Obviously not, & that's what this film is about. And towards the very end of the film, just when we think we've figured out who is "mostly good" & who is "mostly evil" we find that even then we may be mistaken. Throughout the film, it seems easy to understand Burt Lancaster's character, because he's so "black & white" & so one dimensional. That's what makes the ending so shocking & so thought provoking: we find out we didn't know Sheriff Maddox (Lancaster) at all, we just thought we did. And aren't appearances deceiving? When I watched it on DVD, "Lawman" caused quite an extended discussion amongst viewers following the film's conclusion, mostly about "Just what happened there?!" That's the sign of an outstanding film, so I rate it 9/10.

Towards the end of Lawman, Burt Lancaster says that the towns are getting fewer and fewer who need his kind of services. I guess that's a comment on civilization's leavening influence.

You're a town marshal in the old west. You're doing the job alone, maybe you have a deputy or two. Burt says you got to stick to the rules, but as we see in Lawman he wings it quite a bit.

Lee J. Cobb and some of his employees and retainers from his town of Sabbath shoot up Burt Lancaster's town of Bannock and one of Bannock's citizens is killed. Lancaster trails them to Sabbath and arrives with one of them slung over a pack horse. He gives the names to Sabbath's Sheriff Robert Ryan and the story begins.

Lancaster finds that the men he's trailing are all kinds, some professional gunmen, some family men caught up in the moment. Makes no matter to him, he's bringing them in. One of them is the common law husband of a former girl friend, Sheree North, who's settled in Sabbath.

Lawman is a pretty grim western tale. It's kind of a cross between Edward Dmytryk's Warlock and Clint Eastwood's The Unforgiven. Themes from both of those films can be found here.

Lancaster gets good support from the cast. I particularly liked J.D. Cannon as Sheree North's husband and Richard Jordan as the young cowhand from Lee J. Cobb's spread.

I think more than western fans will appreciate this film.

Michael Winner's "The Lawman" reveals that a sheriff - traditional officer responsible for law and order, symbol of virtue and right - is 'not' always morally excellent and virtuous or that his prey thoroughly bad...

Burt Lancaster is cast as a merciless avenger, unmoved by love or pity, determined to one end: Exterminate the opposition...

The criminals here are, in fact, some law breakers, drunken cowboys - who by bad luck - have killed an old man during a rough enthusiastic drinking bout...

Lancaster - blind to his faults, unwilling to judge or to be less severe, and with no intention to arrest - hunts his prey down, one by one, until the last man...

There is no poetic eloquence here, no tension as the two protagonists walk slowly towards their duel, no feeling that right is victorious, no good has conquered evil, no decisive clash to capture the audience's imagination... This is pure brutality: Gratuitous graphic sequences - sickening and revolting - of destroyed shoulders and collapsed faces... Uncalled details of death that may damage the sonorous knell of the 'classic Western' with its ideal behavior and precise rules traditionally observed...

The Western showdown is strictly ritual, quick, clean and purely emotional... The outcome predictable... The moment of suspense exciting as anything the cinema has ever produced...

The showdown in "The Lawman" is disturbing in the way of vision... It follows on in the tradition of Palance/Elisha Cook Jr. ultimate confrontation in "Shane," and excels Sam Peckinpah's commitment to an ideal of self-expression through violent death... It may well mean that a film like "Shane," "High Noon," "Vera Cruz," or "The Fastest Gun Alive," can never be made again...

A hardened marshal called Bannock : Lancaster arrives in a wild and whooly town named Sabbath to look for some outlaws , but these work for the powerful owner Bronson: Lee J Cobb, then things go wrong . As his unexperienced son : John Beck and his band of gunfighters : Robert Duvall, JD Cannon , Richard Jordan , William Watson set out in pursuit Bannock .Later on , Bannock seeking the help of a timid sheriff : Robert Ryan , but he rejects him .

Thought-provoking and suspenseful Western about a two-fisted as well as stoic marshal who comes into unfamiliar little town . This Lawman succeeds overall thanks to the skilled playing of its cast and Winner's typically tough style of storytelling , even though it contains some unconvincing moments . The picture packs thrills , go riding , fights , shootouts , violence and a lot of zooms . Lancaster gives a very good acting as a feared sheriff who seeks bandits refusing to sway from duty in spite of entire town turns against him . The acting honors go to Robert Ryan as a shy , reluctant but honorable sheriff .Others costarring providing enjoyable interpretations are the followings : Robert Duvall , JD Cannon , Sheree North , Albert Salmi , John McGiver , Joseph Wiseman , Richard Jordan , Ralph Waite , John Beck ,Richard Bull, and John Hillerman .And veteran Lee J Cobb delivers one of his finest performances as a tough land baron who seeks vengeance .Thrilling and pulsating musical score by Jerry Fielding , Sam Peckinpah's regular . And atmospheric and evocative cinematography by Robert Paynter , Winner's usual .

This intriguing motion picture was compellingly directed by Michael Winner , though it has an unsatisfactory conclusion undermining otherwise splendid story .Winner was a prolific craftsman who made all kinds of genres as Terror : The nightcomers , Scream for help , The sentinel ; Costumers : The wicked lady ; Western : Chato the Apache with Charles Bronson ; Film Noir : The big sleep , but specially thrillers such as : Appointment with death , The Mechanic ,Firepower , The stone killer , being his greatest success the Death Wish series I , II , III starred by his fetish actor , Charles Bronson. Rating : 6.5/10 . Decent and acceptable western . It will appeal to Burt Lancaster fans.

It's crazy the way some films get labeled "brilliant" while others get ignored just because of bad timing or poor studio backing or any # of things.

I'm not a fan of Westerns. I don't consider this a Western. I consider it a wonderfully written, directed, and acted work of art.

Gerald Wilson's script, and its interpretation by the three leads, is so skillful that it functions almost as a poem on the themes of "man," "animal," "law," and euphemism.

Micheal Winner's direction is beyond good. Every cut--early on he uses many overlays, then as the film builds he uses jarring smash cuts--is breathtaking in its thoughtfulness and thematic effect. And he knows when to lay off the music. An eerily quiet early showdown scene with Burt Lancaster, Albert Salmi, and Richard Jordan (with Robert Ryan in the background) is probably the most creative and effective such scene I've ever witnessed, Leone notwithstanding.

Then there's the acting. Lancaster is THE great underrated American actor, and it's because so many of his best performances came after he'd turned 50. I truly think this is his best. He says so much with his eyes, and especially with a tiny flutter or break in his voice. The range he achieves within this supposedly rigid character is phenomenal. From the knockout first scene between him and Ryan, to the touching scenes between him and Sheree North--you'll never see a sadder face than his when North gets out of the bed--to the scene by the river with Jordan, he creates a full character simply by being a great actor. No gimmicks or wackiness. He just out-acts anyone on the screen today.

Ryan equals Burt's performance. This is the best of the ten or so Ryan performances I've seen. Like Lancaster as he aged, Ryan is unafraid to play an aging, weakening character. Seeing him come to life briefly when he takes on a "Bronson man" is thrilling.

Lee J. Cobb has less to do but does a heck of a lot with it. The supporting actors are, to a person, superb. But special kudos must go to Richard Jordan.

This is a film that challenges the macho stereotype and finds it wanting. Lancaster's character offers a complex alternative. An absolute must-see. Tremendous script, unparalleled acting, superb directing. Oh, and the locations are just breathtaking. It's criminal that there's no true widescreen of Lawman available. Anyway, SEE IT.

This underrated 1971 western is not your standard issue good guys/bad guys John Wayne-type film; that style went out thanks to men like Peckinpah and Leone. LAWMAN stars Burt Lancatser as a hard-bitten lawman who rides from Bannock to Sabbath to bring in a group of ranchers who, in a drunken spree, had shot up his town and killed an old man. He states his goal to Sabbath's local marshal (Robert Ryan) as plain as day: "I'm gonna take these men back with me, or kill 'em where they stand."

The problem is, however, that the "good people" of Sabbath are beholden to these same group of ranchers and their leader (Lee J. Cobb), and are openly hostile to Lancaster for the most part. Lancaster, of course, is unperturbed by the hostility, dedicated as he is to finishing his job one way or another. The result is a somewhat violent but always compelling psychological western along the lines of HIGH NOON, well directed by future DEATH WISH director Michael Winner, perhaps his best film as a director.

Lancaster is, as always, extremely good in his role as the stoic and unbending lawman, but so too is the often-underrated Ryan as Sabbath's aging and pragmatic marshal who, when he sees Lancaster being openly threatened, stops being a "kick dog" and starts being the kind of marshal the West still needs. Cobb is sympathetic as the leader of the ranchers. The cast is rounded out by such top-notch performers as Robert Duvall, Richard Jordan, Albert Salmi, J.D. Cannon, Lou Frizzell, and Joseph Wiseman.

Except for an over-reliance on zooms, the cinematography by British cameraman Robert Paynter really captures the bleak scenery of the arid Southewest; the film was shot on location in and around Durango, Mexico during the summer of 1970. Jerry Fielding's score (as conducted by David Whittaker) adds to this film's starkness and occasional violence, and is sometimes influenced by jazz and even a bit of Aaron Copland in one sequence.

LAWMAN is for those western fans with a taste for suspense and psychological tension, and remains impressive to this day.

This western, "Lawman", features the theme that law, and its upholding, is the paramount virtue in a community. Burt Lancaster embodies that idea, and he has come to a small town called Sabbath to arrest and take back to his town a few of its upright citizens. It appears that these good men had come through his town of Bannock following a cattle drive, had gotten drunk, done some careless shooting in their celebration, and accidently killed an innocent bystander. Now, the law has come to take them back and have them stand trial. Of course, they're not willing to go peacefully, and Lancaster has to face a potential gun battle with each of them. Eventually, he comes to grips with this notion, tries to ride out, but his mission catches up with him in the dusty street of Sabbath.

The cast is a fairly good list of name players; Robert Ryan gives a good account as the marshal of Sabbath who wishes Lancaster to ease back, Lee J. Cobb heads the group of cattlemen that Lancaster is after, and he is ably backed up by Albert Salmi, Robert Duvall, and others. Richard Jordan appears as a hired hand of Cobb's ranch torn between his loyalty to his friends and what is right.

A tough film that makes very little effort to compromise western law.

Lawman is directed by Michael Winner and written by Gerry Wilson. It stars Burt Lancaster, Robert Ryan, Lee J. Cobb, Robert Duvall, Sheree North and Richard Jordan. Music is by Jerry Fielding and cinematography by Robert Paynter.

The Lawman of the title is Jared Maddox (Lancaster), who arrives in the town of Sabbath to serve warrants on the group of rowdies responsible for the death of an old man. His cold hearted approach to his work, however, doesn't endear him to the townsfolk.

A man gets caught in his own doing. Can't change what you are, and if you try, something always calls you back.

Traditional Western that deals in the conflict between law and justice, Lawman, like the leading man, broods significantly. The overriding theme of if Maddox's enforcement of the law justify's the means, is tailor made for Winner's affinity for all things vengeance flavoured. Violence is not in short supply, the director gleefully keeping things gory, and the characterisations of the principal players are smartly complex. The excellent cast turn in equally great performances, the Durango locales are beautifully utilised by Winner and Paynter, and the production design is grade "A" quality.

It's an anti-backlash movie of some substance, where spicy and thoughtful dialogue comes forth from the mouths of deftly shaded characters. Highly recommended to Adult Western fans. 8/10

Burt Lancaster plays a sheriff named Maddox, who comes from his town of Brannock to the town of Sabbath in order to arrest some cattlemen responsible for the death of an old man, after their excessive celebration and shooting led to his death. The sheriff of Sabbath is an old friend(played by Robert Ryan) who is sympathetic, but cannot offer any help because his town is owned by a wealthy and powerful landowner(played by Lee J. Cobb) who would fire him if challenged. Maddox confronts Cobb, who does offer compensation to the old man's family, but cannot afford to have his men go to trial, which he thinks is pointless anyway. Maddox will not be swayed, and vows to arrest his men, leading to a violent chain of events that will devastate them all.

Intriguing and thought-provoking western has few clear-cut heroes or villains. Both lead characters have valid points, and it is interesting how Cobb's landowner is not presented as evil, just ruthless, which can also be said of Maddox.

Memorable ending is quite striking. Well acted, with fine direction by Michael Winner.

This is perhaps the best of those enigmatic Michael Winner productions that focus the plot on the emotions and personalities of the protagonists of the film. I love Michael Winner productions. They are never shot in a studio; and his realism is virtually unapproachable by any other director of the time.

Lawman is a story of pride,arrogance and people fixed into paths of life which they cannot change. Burt Lancaster is sterling representing "The Law"; a force that cannot be swayed. He desires, or thinks he desires, to be something else, but he is indeed the law, and cannot escape his fate. The characters of the town, the men he comes to arrest for a killing, all follow their own ordained paths. Because not one of them can, or will, bend or accept the events that are occurring, they all converge on the final climax that is one of the greatest statements of human futility that I have ever seen in a film. The climax of this story is fantastic, and almost totally unexpected. No one should spoil it for you, even a little.

There are a number of truly great character actors in this film, and each gives a flawless performance. In True Michael Winner form, the action is stunning and the violence is portrayed with all the realism that shows how awful and devastating it can be. This is a gritty, but deep story that holds one in its grasp without pause. I highly recommend it.

Unfortunately, Lawman is a rare film; almost never broadcast. If you are fortunate enough to find a copy for rent,or purchase, do so with all haste. It's a Winner!

Although I have yet to see a fairly large part of his repertoire, to me the name Michael Winner is synonym with uncompromising violence, sleaze and vulgarity. At least, that's the impression movies like the "Death Wish"-trilogy, "The Mechanic" and "Scream for Help" always rose. That's why it was so surprising to see that "Lawman" is primarily a talkative and story-driven western with many dialogs and convoluted character drawings instead of savage gunfights and nasty set pieces. It almost came as a relief when the whole thing ended with an excessively violent, gratuitous and explicit shootout, because that was the only moment reminding me that I was watching a Michael Winner flick! Of course all this doesn't mean that "Lawman" isn't a good film. Quite the contrary, it's a compelling and atmospheric period western with excellent performances from the all-star ensemble cast and a plausible plot outline. Burt Lancaster is terrific as stoic lawman Maddox from Bannock; arriving in the town of Sabbath in order to arrest seven local cowboys who accidentally killed an elderly villager during a drunken celebration. Maddox quickly experiences Sabbath is the type of town that is run by a wealthy and influential patriarch, while figures like the mayor and the Sheriff are nothing more than puppets on a string. Nobody cooperates with Maddox, the townspeople even want to chase him out of town, and puts his own life in severe danger as he stubbornly continues with his investigation. Some sources claim that "Lawman" is a remake of an older (and better) 50's western called "Man with the Gun", but this isn't confirmed anywhere on IMDb. Personally, I just think there are many critics that don't grant Michael Winner the slightest positive comment and simply search for excuse to claim this thoughtful and memorable western isn't his own accomplishment. Fact remains that Winner, at the relatively tender age of 35, competently directed a substantial western with a cast of highly respectable veteran actors including Burt Lancaster, Robert Ryan, Lee Cobb, Robert Emhardt and Robert Duvall. Particularly Lancaster is unforgettable, as he depicts his supposedly "good" character in an extremely antipathetic fashion. Marshal Maddox is stoic, distant, dry and untouchable whereas some of his "bad" opponents express a wide variety of emotions. Occasionally the screenplay is unnecessarily complex, with too many redundant supportive characters and sub plots, and the film is overall too long, but it's definitely worthwhile to sit through until the explosive climax.

In no way "Lawman" is an exceptional or memorable western but it still is made interesting and entertaining enough by its fine and solid acting main cast.

No western ever has had a complex or complicated story but this movie is rather easy, even for normal western standards. It's a typical 'revenge' tale. Only problem this time is that the revenge tale isn't exactly a sympathetic one. I just don't see why about a dozen cowboy's have to die just because they accidentally killed an old man, in a drunk state. It really doesn't help to make this movie the most subtle or engaging western around. It also doesn't help to make the main character, the marshal played by Burt Lancaster a popular or engaging one. At times you even feel sorry and cheer for the 'villains' but this is also probably mainly due to the fact that they are played by such fine and well known actors.

Lee J. Cobb and Robert Duvall are among the solid cast. together with some other famed '70's actors. The main cast is extremely solid and everyone gives one fine and effective performance. In that regard this movie still distinct itself from other genre movies from the same period and still help to make this movie an unique and recommendable one. Especially Lee J. Cobb is impressive in his role. And no matter how small his role in this movie is, Robert Duvall's talent is obviously showing in this movie. Unfortunately the supporting cast of this movie is not halve as good. It makes most of the humor feel awkward and also prevents the more dramatic and serious story lines to work out correctly.

The movie is well made, if not a tad bit formulaic. The cinematography and directing is mostly good and the musical score by Jerry Fielding is surprisingly good, for such a small and insignificant production. The movie is mostly filled with action, which helps to make this movie a perfectly watchable and well paced one. The movie ends with a genre formulaic shootout, that does not disappointed.

Obviously best watchable for the genre fans but everyone else will probably also still enjoy this simple movie, thanks to its solid acting and famous cast.

7/10

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I'm a film buff who loves all sorts of genres. However, I admit that I haven't seen too many Westerns. I've seen Clint Eastwood ones like Unforgiven and The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly, and I've also seen Shane, Hondo, and Blazing Saddles- if that counts. But compared to the number of musicals or comedies I have seen, my familiarity of Westrerns is, I confess, lacking.

Well, yesterday, I went to a used DVD store and got some movies which included a 3 movie set of Burt Lancaster Westerns. I bought it for THE Unforgiven (which has my favorite actress Audrey Hepburn), but it came with The Kentuckian (his directorial debut) and this movie- Lawman.

I live with my Grandma, and I asked her if she wanted to watch one of the movies that I bought, so she looked at them and picked Lawman. I was hoping to see The Unforgiven, but oh well.

The plot of Lawman is pretty straight forward. Burt Lancaster plays a "lawman" (basically a sheriff) who has to arrest some men responsible for the death of an old man.

On the whole, Lawman has entertaining moments. The shoot outs are cool, most of the plot is engaging, and there are well done roles from Lancaster, Lee J. Cobb, Robert Ryan, and a young Robert Duvall among them. This is why there is a postive 7.5 rating.

However, there were some problems that I had with the movie. For one thing, some of the dialouge was hard to hear, and the DVD did not have an English subtitle option. (It had Spanish and French, but not English! I have other MGM DVDs like that, like The Greatest Story Ever Told and 12 Angry Men.)

I could understand most of it, but sometimes the actors seemed to mumble or talk quietly so I missed parts. If you have better hearing, maybe this won't affect you. I had my Volume at 95/100 and I still had this issue.

Apart from that, the plot seemed to drag at points, and the movie was good, but not anything great.

Lawman isn't a bad movie, but compared to other Westerns I have seen, like Unforgiven and The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly, it isn't one of the best. Still, for those more into the genre, Lawman is good enough to kill time with some wild west entertainment.

Summary: Best to watch for the cast, but slow and sometimes hard to hear.

A top-notch western with Burt Lancaster expertly cast in the title role. He is supported by an excellent group of veteran character players (Robert Ryan, Lee J Cobb, Albert Salmi). The story is very simple, but there is great character study and an emotional (and suspenseful) buildup to the plot. We get superb performances especially by Burt as a quiet but forceful man dedicated to "playing by the rules". I enjoyed this movie very much. It has the feel of a classic, and indeed it should be considered one because the story and the performances are not easily forgettable. It is a movie that leaves one asking moral (philosophical) questions at the end, and that is as it should be. By my definition, when a movie or a play does that, then it is a classic.

The wild fun and reckless firing by a bunch of travelling cowboys kills a resident of Bannock, a small western town. This sets Marshal Jared Maddox (Burt Lancaster) to chase the killers to bring them to book; however, fierce resistance is offered by the perpetrators of crime abetted by the townsmen and patrons of Sabbath.

It is evident that performance of Burt Lancaster as a relentless, harsh and uncompromising lawman is the key point and major strength of the film. He has wielded a stern bearing with a certain degree of style that enthralls the viewers. His adept analysis of crime and criminal mindset is logical and appealing.

Though the story and the plot are not much stronger, it is the acting performances of the lead actors including Burt Lancaster, Robert Ryan and Lee J. Cobb that viewer often feels grip of the movie. It is also good to see veteran actor Robert Duvall perform, though in a minor role.

Again it won't be out of place to mention that acting performances and apt direction are the strong and core points of the film.

I first watched LAWMAN in 1989. Although my father told me he had not liked it when it came out, I had been curious about a Western that boasted one of the greatest casts ever, especially in terms of supporting actors: Robert Ryan, Lee J. Cobb, Joseph Wiseman, Robert Duvall, Richard Jordan, Albert Salmi, Sheree North.

That first viewing had me agree with my father that the ending left something to be desired. However, subsequent viewings have added significantly to what I see as the film's merits in terms of construction, script, cinematography and further confirmed my initial perception that acting was of the highest order by everyone, even in very minor parts.

Still, I have to agree with my father that the character played by Lancaster is both inflexible and contradictory, and his killing of the very man his love interest had asked him not to kill, with a shot in the back to boot, was unnecessarily mean. Maddox (Lancaster) and Ryan (Ryan) know what killing is about: you may not be fastest on the draw, but your readiness to kill makes the difference.

Although the point about Maddox's contradictions remains valid, I have come to view LAWMAN as a well crafted study of the law implemented to excess, however much the implementer supposedly sticks to the letter of that law.

Michael Winner's direction is firm and succint. He would go on to direct DEATH WISH, with Charles Bronson a civilian vigilante. LAWMAN is the precursor to DEATH WISH: Lancaster's actions border on vigilantism under cover of his tin star.

The dangers of excessive implementation of the law are obvious but LAWMAN's merit is that it avoids moral judgements. It brings those excesses out in unadorned but exposing light, and it stays on your mind for days.

If you like Westerns, this is one of the best, only because of the great actors, especially, Burt Lancaster. Lancaster,(Bannock Jered),"Tough Guys",'86, plays a Marshall out to hunt down several men who killed an older man in his hometown. Robert Duvall,(Vernon Adam),The Detective",'68, is one of the men he is looking for and is associated with Lee J. Cobb,(Vincent Bronson),"Captain from Castile",'47, who runs a ranch and most of these men Bannock is looking for work for Vincent. Robert Ryan,(Marshall Cotton),"The Love Machine",'71, is also the local Sheriff and has become soft as a lawman, because Vincent Bronson has bought him off to see his ways. There is a great deal of realism through out the entire picture and even a small amount of love making and quick romance. Oh, I forgot to mention the fact that Bannock Jered played on a wooden FLUTE, but it really sounded like an antique HAYNES FLUTE being played ! WOW