Reviews (38)

A tear-jerking Western classic from the Duke
In my opinion, this is one of John Wayne's most underrated films. Oh, people like it well enough, but few see it for what it really is: the twilight of a great epoch in American cinema. In it, Wayne gives one of his finest and most believable performances, and stars opposite a great cast of old contemporaries (like James Stewart) and up-and-comers (like Ron Howard).

This final film of the Duke could not have been more fitting. Wayne plays an old gunfighter who's dying of cancer. He knows he's dying, and tries to live out his final days in peace. The real tragedy of the story is that no one will let him--he is constantly harassed by would-be heroes, newspapermen, and people seeking to play a part in the death of a legend. The role is a different one for the Duke--he doesn't play the tough-as-nails cowboy this time--and yet he seems to fit it perfectly.

This is perhaps the most fitting farewell of a Hollywood legend conceivable. No matter what people think of him, few can deny the everlasting impact that John Wayne has had on American society. This film is the last hurrah, the blaze of glory. Wayne's character, and Wayne himself, senses the end of his era, and goes out with style.

The "Duke" Saves His Best For Last!
John Wayne's last film serves as an epitaph of his enormously popular career in film.

"The Shootist", directed by Don Siegel in 1976, went through numerous delays and battles before the film was finished. But what the audience is left here is nothing short of a masterpiece. This should serve (and in my opinion, it does serve)as the pinnacle of both John Wayne's and Don Siegel's careers.

Many people who are not John Wayne fans will get the exact same enjoyment out of this film as much as his biggest fans do. Simply because the film is beautifully shot and is deeply heartfelt and moving.

John Wayne plays J.B. Books, a gunfighter looking to retire. When he returns to Carson City 15 years after one of his greatest gunfights, he is a changed man. He is also an ill man. Doc Hostetler (played be Jimmy Stewart) is forced to tell Books the bad news that he is dying of cancer. (Unfortunately, Wayne truly was dying of lung cancer during the filming of the motion picture). Obeying Hostetler's orders, Books gets a room at Widow Rogers' (Lauren Bacall) boarding house and intends to live out the rest of his life in peace. This does not happen however as the rumour spreads quickly around the town that Books is dying and every gunfighter trying to make a name for themselves unsuccessfully try to shoot him down.

With just days before his 58th birthday, Books decides to "go out in style" (guns blazing). He gets Widow Rogers' son, Gillom (played by Ron Howard) to tell local gunfighters Cobb, Pulford and Sweeney that he will meet them at the Metropole Saloon on his birthday. It's just hours before the Rogers' realize what Books is planning to do.

The film does tend to become depressingly downbeat at times but in the end, this proves to be John Wayne's finest work. Wayne gives the performance of his career with this film and it's probably just as well that the "Duke" went out with this blaze of glory than say the sequel to "True Grit". (Not that "Rooster Cogburn" is a bad movie, but it doesn't even compare to this magnificent piece).

Also watch for excellent performances by Richard Boone (Sweeney), Hugh O'Brian (Pulford), Harry Morgan (Thibido), Scatman Crothers (Moses) and especially John Carradine as Beckum, the undertaker. (Surprise, surprise!!!) The scene in the barber shop between Books and Beckum is truly wonderful.

Parents, if you intend to show this film to your children, let them know there is some bloody violence and strong language (for a John Wayne movie). Otherwise, show them this fine work of art. That's right, this is art.

The Movie, the Cast, the DVD
This is the story of the last eight days in the life of John Bernard Books (John Wayne), a legendary gunfighter who pulls into Carson City, Nevada on January 22, 1901. Books is dying of inoperable prostate cancer. Knowing that all he has to look forward to in the few weeks left him is an undiginfied and agonizing death as his disease progressively worsens, and unwilling to go out that way, Books orchestrates one last glorious gunfight, himself versus the only three men in town who just might be able to kill him.

The Shootist has the cast from Hell: John Wayne, Jimmy Stewart, Lauren Bacall, Ron Howard, Harry Morgan, John Carradine, Hugh O'Brian, Richard Boone, Scatman Crothers, all in the same movie. Made on a shoestring budget of eight million (not a lot of money for a major Hollywood production even in mid-Seventies dollars) the only way The Shootist could afford such a cast was that everyone involved realized this would probably be Wayne's last picture, and wanted to be involved. Hugh O'Brian volunteered to play his part for free.

The only "extras" on the DVD are the original trailer which is mediocre and a "Making Of" feature that's absolutely excellent. In the latter it's revealed the filmmakers changed the ending of the movie from the book on which it was based. In the novel, J.B. Books is killed at the end by young Gillom Rogers (Ron Howard) after surviving the final gun battle. But the powers that were felt it would be awfully hard to have audiences like the Howard character after that. In hindsight they realize their decision weakened the movie. And they're right. That would have been the perfect ending to The Shootist, the ultimate act of love from Gillom to Books, to be the one who ended his pain when no one else could. The way the movie does end is great - The Shootist is fully deserving of its five stars - but it could have been even better.

While it would be difficult to make a case against either Once Upon a Time In the West, Red River, or The Outlaw Josey Wales being the best Western ever made, The Shootist is one of the very few movies even worthy to be mentioned in their class. It adds an immense amount of poignancy to Wayne's portrayal of J.B. Books, a strong man in the final stages of terminal cancer, to know the actor was in exactly the same situation at the time. This is arguably Wayne's finest acting job, understated and powerful. While some actors are great for a time, then degenerate into crap roles to finish out their careers (Basil Rathbone's last movie was Hillbillys from Outer Space, if you can believe it), John Wayne was a class act til the very end. The Shootist was the perfect way to cap his career: one last superb Western from the greatest Western star of all.

John Wayne's elegiac swan song; Farewell, Duke...
As movie genres come and go, the American Western was gasping for its last breath when John Wayne starred in "The Shootist" in 1976. This story about a dying gunfighter counting down his last days in the New World is loaded with an extremely heavy dose of symbolism. This is a quiet western, completely emphasizing dialogue over action. Directed by Don Siegel, a master of the western, the overall mood laments the passing of the Old West and its ideology. I agree with other comments that this film has a slightly made-for-TV quality about it, but it's clear this is supposed to be a delicate look at the death of a revered cowboy, and not a wide-open prairie epic. Like the character himself, John Wayne was dying, and provided for us what would be his final performance. The last words Wayne ever said onscreen at the end of this film are the same words I'd say to him if I had ever met him - "Thank you, sir."

Set in Nevada in 1901, Wayne plays John Bernard Books, considered one of the last infamous gunfighters of the Old West. Books settles into Carson City and learns he's dying of cancer. Hoping to live his last few days quietly, he is befriended by a strong-willed widow (Lauren Bacall) who owns a boarding house, and her impressionable son (Ron Howard). His presence becomes known, and enemies from his past emerge looking for a fight, while other so-called friends try to coax the legendary outlaw into letting a little fame rub off. Books soon develops a tender friendship with the Bacall character, while becoming a mentor to her eager son, even though the local Marshall is pressuring him to leave town immediately. Books soon figures out how to rid himself of his enemies and his debilitating condition in one swift stroke. The cast is a large who's-who of western actors and they do an all-around great job; Lauren Bacall looks a little less glamorous than usual, but fits right in as the stern yet feminine widow. Ron Howard gives a brash, "aw shucks" grown-up version of Opie, and Harry Morgan provides a little humor as the cowardly, trash-talking town deputy. There's also a small but fantastic supporting role by the eternal Jimmy Stewart as the doctor who informs Wayne of his ailment.

As the titular dying gunfighter, Wayne's role is not as complex as it was in "The Quiet Man" or "The Searchers", but this is still some of the best acting he's ever done. This is a solemn film, about someone reaching the end of their life and isn't afforded much time to rest and reflect because their past is catching up. The sad perspective of the Old West as an antiquated era also shows how we sometimes have trouble trying to stay with the times when the rest of the world is rapidly moving forward. This movie has grown in appreciation over time with many Wayne fans due to his calm, age-old performance. I can't think of another film that has served as such a fitting goodbye to an actor. "The Shootist" is - both literally and figuratively - the Duke's final bow.

THE ICON
I GREW UP WATCHING SATURDAY(OBVIOUS RERUNS)MORNING WESTERNS WITH MY DAD, AND I REMEMBER WITH GREAT FONDNESS THE OLD JOHN WAYNE MOVIES WHEN HE WORE TO MUCH MAKE UP. THESE ARE DAYS I REMBER MOST BECASE THEY WERE WITH MY DAD. HIS LATER MOVIES BROUGHT TO US A HERO THAT WENT THE EXTRA MILE, THAT DID NOT QUIT, THAT TRIED TO DO THE RIGHT THING. HIS YES WAS YES AND HIS NO WAS NO. THE SHOOTIST IS NOT MY FAVOITE MOVIE BECAUSE ALL THROUGH IT I KNEW IT WAS GOING TO BE HIS LAST, AND I DO NOT LIKE IT WHEN HE DIES IN HIS MOVIES. IT IS ONE OF HIS GREATEST. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

One of my favorite old movies finally in DVD format!
This has been one of my favorite movies for over twenty five years.Scene after scene, there's something to watch for.What I've always loved about this movie is the great, wrenching dialogue.And watching a young Robert Wagner isn't too difficult either.

But now, on DVD, I feel as though I am seeing the movie for the first time (or at least the second time!)The quality of this DVD is impressive.I also own a DVD version from a few years back that came from China, with Chinese subtitles.Comparing the two on my 55" tv is like comparing a digital picture taken with a 2 megapixel camera to a digital picture taken with an 8 megapixel camera.The quality of this Twentieth Century Fox DVD is outstanding for such an old movie.The picture is very clear, the color saturation is deep and rich, the sound is great.I've noticed nuances about the picture, and the background scenery, that I never noticed before.

This edition also features both a widescreen and a full frame version of the movie, on a double sided disc.I don't think there were any special features, but I am happy to have this excellent version of my favorite old film.

I Have Been Waiting For The DVD Release
I remember seeing this film in theatrical release and have always liked it. It seems to be "loaded" with the best, from director to actors. It has been on my "hope soon" list for release on DVD, so I am very pleased to see it. Okay, so Robert Wagner is a little wooden, but it doesn't detract from the story. Another movie in this vein is "House of Strangers" with Edward G. Robinson, Susan Hayward & Richard Conte. It is also a wonderful telling of the same story, done in black & white, only the family is in banking.

Friendly witness to a changing West.
'Broken Lance' has many admirers, and there are many good things about this sober Western.The film has been called an updated 'King Lear' - an all-powerful, tyrannical father unwisely cedes control (land) to his children, all turning against him except for the youngest, who is the most ill-used - but the adaptation is loose and mercifully unliteral: there are no raging storm scenes or impertinently wise Fools, just a grandeur-exuding atmosphere of a great man and the power he created declining.Though filmed in Fox's ugly Technicolour - that muddy colour that would be called 'lurid' if it didn't yearn for the respectable - there is an intelligent compositional eye, filling the landscape with dramatic and symbolic imagery.The prologue is particularly striking - a moody young man, Robert Wagner, released from three years in prison, rejects a financial offer by brothers eager to be rid of him.The journey he takes into the past is one of progressive decay and danger - first he is forcibly brought to the governer, in whose building gleams an imposing portrait of his father.When he visits his father's land, with all its traces of former activity abandoned, he is shot at from a distnace by a man who turns out to be an Indian friend -- the surreal shot of a seemingly self-standing gateway in an empty plain points to the importance of this sequence, as a kind of mythical portal into another realm; when he finally enters his family home, it is a ghost house, a gothic ruin, its dereliction shrouded in shadow.Like the films noirs with which director Huac Dmytryk made his name, the movie begins with an end; a heavy air of fatalism hangs over the subsequent long flashback.

What probably most appeals to fans is the film's (relative) political sophistication - as a backdrop to the usual Oedipal structures is a portrait of the West as it moves from a mythical plane into the modern era.It especially highlights two problems that would blight the nation in the next century - race and advanced capitalism.Spencer Tracy is an Irishman whose second wife is the daughter of a Cherokee chief.He is too important a landowner to ignore, so the locals refer to her as Spanish; the wives of these friends are nevertheless terminally indisposed whenever he gives parties.Of his four sons, the elder three from his first marriage, his favourite is the youngest, Wagner, through whose eyes the film unravels, and on whom centres the crises of race (he is a half-breed who loves a WASP whose father disapproves) and property.The actual catastrophe of the film occurs when a copper company on Tracy's land dumps refuse in his river, poisoning his herd.A fight at their headquarters, in part sparked by a racist comment directed at Wagner, leads to a court case, to offset the risks of which, Tracy is advised to divide the land between his sons.The old pioneers who tamed the land have been superceded, leaving only division and hatred in their wake.

You have got to admire a Western that interweaves its themes intelligently and without sensation (although a ridiculous coda stand-off between two brothers nearly ruins the good work).The restrained use of music and the insistence on stillness (intimating burgeoning violence) adds a maturity to the action.The treatment of the Indians is sensitive for the time, with the relationship beween Tracy and Katy Jurado clearly signalled as a loving and positive thing.The title indicates the film'stheme, the (1950s?) failure of authority, family and masculinity.

Still, I found the film unsatisfying.This is partly due to miscasting - Wagner is too wooden to carry the film's moral weight; his role should have gone to the nervy, brilliant Richard Widmark, riveting as his resentful older brother who finally turns against his father's abuse.But it is mostly due to the stodgy direction which often confuses the sombre with the plain slow.Compared to the similarly-themed 'Gunman's Walk', 'Lance' lacks verve or true insight. ... Read more

Reviews (27)

Something for Everyone
This movie has something for everyone. Watched it for the first time today, then read reviews here on Amazon and elsewhere on internet. Marilyn fans think she is the best thing in the film. Ethel Merman fans rave about her performance. Hollywood musical fans rave about the extravagant production numbers. Johnny Ray fans rave about his only film appearance. Technical reviews(of DVD version) rave about the sharpness of the image, color rendition, sound reproduction and restoration process. Of course, Pseudo-Intellectual-Sophisticates like Tom Reynolds panned this film ... but pay no attention to the naysayers. This is a really fun film to watch, a gem, a blast from the past, non-stop singing and dancing from the Golden Era.

Overblown but tremendous fun!
It's wonderful to have these recordings available in true stereo and the version of the title song belted out by Merman remains her most definitive recording of the song. A few oddities: Johnny Ray's vocal track for "If You Believe" is wildly out-of-synch (and re-listening to the original Decca album it does sound as if they manipulated the track with some editing. Ray was deaf.. perhaps he could not hear the click track? At any rate, Varese should have tried to edit the song so that it sounds the same as in the film) and there are a few other places where the orchestra comes in too early. Minor quibbles. More curious was the decision to drop some musical segments that were in the film: Gaynor adn O'connor doing a wicked parody of (parents) Merman and Daily; Dailey's "You'd be surprised"; Merman's "Let's Have Another Cup of Coffee" and the deleted songs "Anything You Can Do" and Marilyn Monroe's unused vocal of "You'd be surprised" - but what is on the disc is great! And the set comes with good liner notes.

It's the Five Donahues..............
Ok Ok. I have been a lifelong Marilyn Monroe fan since childhood, I love her. But when you are a Marilyn fan you have to put up with hit and miss movies. No Business is one of them. When Marilyn is on the screen singing and dancing, the movie is all hers. Who doesn't love the Heat Wave number? The rest of the movie is a drag and unless you are a huge Ethyl Merman fan (?) this film doesn't have much to offer.

This is a musical with a very light plot; the story of the Donahue Family in show business. The two sons grow up to be a couple of dorks. The one who wants to be a priest is just scary. He acts like a Peter O'Tool derelict with a murderous smile. The other one is driven over the edge by Marilyn's lack of interest and joins the Navy.

Like I said, if you are a Marilyn fan, there are scenes in this film that you must have. If youare not a Marilyn fan, well you got Ethyl and Berlin music.

BETTY GRABLE WHY DID'NT YOU DO THIS MOVIE?
Betty Grable was supposed to play the Ethel merman part , but looked to young to be a mother of grown ups Donald O'Conner , Mitzi Gaynor and Johnny Ray so they hired Merman.

A must Have Musical
I think this is one of the best musicals available. And- if you're into musicals this one you need to get. Since Hollywood refuses to make musicals you better latch on to this one while you can. I think the color and the musical numbers are wonderful! And in those days they used better color for films than they do today! For color films and for tv viewing they use cheap color. Many people has told me that they thought their tv was fading out and had a foggy color to it. I've told them it's not their tv at all. The best color was always used back in the 40's and 50's. I see nothing ethnically wrong in the film that would be wrong. People are just too too sensitive these days and now they are picking the old films apart. They need to learn how to get over it. I am so glad that they have not destroyed these old films because 98 per cent of the films today are trash and will never become classics such as this one. When all the great producers and directors and screenwriters pass away there just seems like no one can take their place. They knew what they were doing back then. The craftsmanship has been lost. ... Read more

Reviews (67)

It hurts to say it, but . . .
. . . this is Bruce Lee's best film. Look, I hear the groans already, but consider the competition. Having watched all his films in order just recently, I was reminded how clunky and slow "Enter the Dragon" was. Apparently, there came a point in Bruce's approach to fight scenes where he would barely receive a punch, and instead just utterly dominate the opponent, no ebb and flow -- like his ultra brisk, almost anti-climactic demolition of Bob Wall in ETD.

Now, we all know "Game of Death" simply exists to use The Footage. And the 20-ish minutes of The Footage does appear at the end, and it's a very stylish, having-fun Bruce Lee -- not the sullen, monotone Bruce of ETD. The makers of the film went with a "Bruce double" for the rest of the film, often in shadow, wearing HUGE sunglasses, keeping his face turned away, etc. Every now and again, a snippet of actual Bruce gets edited in from an earlier movie, say, upon his walking into a room, or for a reaction shot. And some of these cut-away bits are pretty awkward -- few of them flow smoothly.

But having said all that, this film -- as a kung-fu film about a star named Billy Lo trying to break away from the syndicate -- is way, way above the average for this genre. For the trio of syndicate heavies, we get Mel Novak, Hugh O'Brian and Dean Jagger -- and these guys are FAR more compelling actors than you usually get for this type of flick. Some of the exchanges, with Dean Jagger especially, are deliciously sinister. The guy (actually, there may be two of them) playing the "Bruce double," while not looking a whole lot like Bruce (hence the sunglasses) and not exactly a riveting screen presence, has the fluidity of Bruce's kicks down pat -- which is no doubt why they hired him. Moreover, some of the fight scenes end with him getting beaten down and out, an effective dramatic element which the real Bruce had seemingly discarded. The real Bruce was doing movies which were becoming more and more of an "I-am-indestructible" exercise, only offering his steady obliteration of everyone else, even against noteworthy foes. But because we're dealing with a stand-in of sorts, HE can be beat down to a pulp. This at least lends a bit of dramatic flux.

And, of course, this film has The Footage, arguably Bruce's best work, and edited together pretty well from whatever they had on hand. BUT -- before we get to The Footage, the "Bruce double" has an absolutely fantastic fight with Bob Wall -- after Bob Wall has just gotten done having a very cool fight scene with Sammo Hung for "The Martial Arts Championship of the World," complete with a stadium of screaming fans! How much campy-goodness is THAT?! People who are simply bothered by the way the studio glommed onto The Footage in order to make a profitable flick are totally overlooking the much-better-than-average elements going on. The soundtrack is beyond classic -- the triumphant yet haunting horns announcing the titles somehow mesh so strongly with the realization of Bruce's untimely death -- it becomes the perfect music for his passing, as well as for the movie itself. And lest I forget, this DVD transfer is really crystal clear -- even some of the jarring "real Bruce" cutaways are made to almost work by the fact that the DVD looks so good.

Yeah, this film really needs to be cut some slack. If people are going to call the 70's-clunky "Enter the Dragon" a timeless classic, then this one deserves much more recognition. Robert Clouse directed this one (1978) between "Enter the Dragon" (1973) and "The Big Brawl" (1980) -- so the timeline pedigree is solid as well.

A CLASSIC MOVIE THAT OFFERS A FINAL GLIMPSE OF A TRUE MASTER
IN THE LAST MOVIE OF BRUCE LEE'S LIFE, A RISING MARTIAL ARTS STAR NAMED BILLY LO GETS HARASSED BY THE MAFIA. BUT, WHEN THEY VICIOUSLY SHOOT HIM, HE FAKES HIS DEATH AND GOES ON A MISSION FOR REVENGE. KEEP IN MIND THAT THE REAL BRUCE LEE DIED HALFWAY THROUGH THE MAKING OF THIS FILM. BUT SIX YEARS LATER, ROBERT CLOUSE GATHERED UP ALL THE SURVIVING CAST MEMBERS AND WITH THE USE OF DOUBLES FILLING IN FOR LEE, THIS MOVIE WAS COMPLETED. A VERY GOOD MARTIAL ARTS MOVIE WITH SOME LEGENDARY FIGHTS. THE FIGHT BETWEEN BRUCE LEE AND KAREEM ABDUL JABAR IS A MUST SEE. FOOTAGE FROM BRUCE LEE'S ACTUAL FUNERAL WAS USED FOR ONE SCENE IN THIS MOVIE. NONETHLESS, BRUCE LEE FANS SHOULD ENJOY THIS FINAL LOOK AT A TRUE MASTER OF THE MARTIAL ARTS.

DO NOT BUY THIS FILM (READ THIS)
This film is an insult to everything Bruce Lee was. And they didn't even use all of the available fight footage. Instead, pick up "Bruce Lee - A Warrior's Journey". It contains all of the original fight footage Bruce shot, along with a VERY in depth documentary covering his whole life. If you are a Bruce Lee or kung fu fan, that dvd is a must-have. Not this one.

"Game Of Death" Review
While billed as the "final film of Bruce Lee", it is important to note that this movie just splices footage from other Lee films in with both shots of a Lee double and the only actual material that Bruce recorded for the film, which clocks in at just over 20 minutes. The way that the filmmakers try to pass off a poor double as the real Bruce reminds one of the infamous Bela Lugosi "Plan 9 From Outer Space" curtain call. While the first hour or so of the movie is laughably bad, one of the big anti-climatic fights involving Bruce and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is worth every dime you put in. The jaw-dropping battle uses well-placed fight choreography as opposed to today's fancy camera tricks to make for one of the best martial arts fight routines captured on film. For those who want to know, the plot of the film surrounds a martial arts film star who fakes his death and returns to seek revenge on the mob. In a twisted sense of irony, Bruce's character is shot on a movie set with a gun that is filled with real bullets instead of blanks, the very same accident that would claim his son, Brandon, on the set of "The Crow", nearly twenty years later.

Game of Excellence
Oh, this is a great one. This is the one in which Bruce Lee fights Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Oh man, that part is great. The whole movie is good, I think. And so is the music they play during the fighting.

There's this one cool part where Lee fights a motorcycle gang in a warehouse, and he hits a guy in the face with his bike! The end is excellent. Lee goes to this place and fights five martial arts masters in a row.

Also, in this movie, Lee uses nun chucks for at least ten minutes. It's so great. Lee died while shooting this movie, and most of it is a body double, but it's still very entertaining. His noises are great and so is his technique. No martial artist today can compare to Lee.

Watch out, though. After seeing this movie, I had a strong urge to fight people, and I did not control it. I went out and gave my neighbors a beating. They were doing some lawn work, so I hit one with a rake and used him to impale his son. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Fair Film Gets a Pretty Good Bargain-Priced DVD treatment
This review is directly from my website (www.angelfire.com/film/eurowar)

CONCERNING THE DVD:
Yet another of several budget MGM releases of classic war films(including "Battle of Britain", "Beach Red" and "Zulu" not to mention several others).The disc offers a "letterbox" version on one side and a full-frame version on the other.The film was shot full-frame, then matted for widescreen theaters, so the letterbox version adds nothing to the sides and simply masks off a good deal of the top and bottom of the image.The full-screen version is preferable.The video elements have been digitally restored and look great.There is no visible print damage, colors are bright and accurate and the image is sharp and clear.

The disc contains a basic 2.0 Mono track which sounds great.This isn't an effects-laden movie so a 5.1 Surround Sound track or anything of that nature would have been out of the question; this sounds like the original mix was just cleaned up.

For extras, we get a theatrical trailer, the usual subtitles, a Spanish audio track and 16 chapter selections.

CONCERNING THE FILM:

"Ambush Bay" is the poster-child of how to make a World War II film based solely on clichés. This said, the result is a very entertaining but always paper-thin look at espionage in the Pacific Theater.

Four days before General MacArthur's invasion fleet is slated to return to the Philippines, a squad of Marines is dropped on Mindanao with a risky assignment: penetrate enemy-held territory and contact a spy named Miyazaki who operates out of a heavily-guarded Japanese rest camp. They spy has information vital to MacArthur's intelligence department. The Marines are all experts in the field of killing, except for Pfc. Grenier (Jim Mitchum, "Leathernecks"), a PBY radio man who was assigned to the team at the last minute when the original radio operator got sick. Grenier doesn't hit it off with the veterans, especially the macho Sgt. Corey (Hugh O'Brian, "In Harm's Way") who winds up in charge of the mission when the Captain (Clem Stadler) becomes a casualty.

The piece is cliché-ridden from start to finish - in what movie have we not seen the characters, setting or mission before? Ron Winston handles every bit of this nonsense seriously - so seriously, in fact, that despite the flaws, it's very easy to enjoy this movie, even in a tongue-in-cheek sort of way. O'Brian gives a passionate performance, even if his character is anything but original and personal. His Sergeant is virtually a superhero, as Sgt. Wartell (Mickey Rooney!) reveals to Grenier by describing a series of Corey's early battle exploits on Guadalcanal and Tarawa. Rooney looks to be thoroughly enjoying himself as he scales cliffs and mows down Japanese infantry by the dozen, although he looks way too old and simultaneously boyish to be a believable career marine.

Although he gets third billing, Mitchum's is the most developed and believable character. He's a person any viewer can relate to: thrown into a situation beyond his control, Grenier is forced to adapt to ever-changing conditions - and fast - because his life may depend on it. He wants to do his job well, but doesn't have any natural talent, and therefore his peers look down on him with utter contempt. His performance never strikes a false note, and he even gets to lapse into some voice-overs to keep things fresh.

The on-location photography is stunning from beginning to end. Had this film not been shot in the Philippines, any credibility would have been totally lost. The exteriors are appropriately lush and beautiful. Winston and cinematographer Emmanuel L. Rojas don't just take us into the steamy jungles; we get to venture into rice patties, across streams and down rushing, crystal clear blue rivers. I absolutely hate it when producers try to make ridiculous locations like North American forests ("The Green Berets") or rocky plains of Spain ("The Thin Red Line") pass for Asian or South Pacific jungles. The technique just doesn't work. Kudos to Winston for choosing to shoot this film in the actual locations it is said to have occurred at.

Although the movie runs nearly 2 hours, the time flies by. The pace is kept fluid in two ways. The characters are constantly on the go. The only reason they stop is rest, and we're treated to discussion revealing something of their character. For example, we don't get to know Corey as a person until late in the film when he develops a relationship with Tisa Chang's character. When the men aren't hiking or resting, they're engaged in some sort of combat with the enemy - patrols, tanks and indigenous cannibals constantly hamper their progress. Winston doesn't dwell on the supporting cast at all: most of them are non-essential characters that he kills off in a few early encounters with the enemy. We constantly ask ourselves "Who is going to get killed next?" This curiosity keeps us engaged right up until the climactic battle inside a fortified Japanese radio installation.

All of that said, it's necessary to point out several technical flaws which make the proceedings difficult to take seriously. The members of the squad are introduced as crack masters in the art of warfare, but by the half-way point, almost all of them have been killed by your average Japanese draftee - and usually for stupid reasons. The special effects are very below par, even for a low-budget film from 1966. One encounter with a Japanese tank is packed with some most ridiculous elements - including two of the least believable explosions ever caught on film. (It's also impossible to overlook the fact that later on in the film, Corey, Grenier and Miyazaki take a breather at the exact same outdoor location that the Marines were engaged in a firefight near the beginning of the movie). The rubbery, funky camouflage uniforms and ridiculous baseball-style caps look like something a Green Beret or Navy SEAL might have worn in the 1960s, but are totally out of place in a World War II movie. Wartell's encounter with a Japanese patrol involving "Baked potatoes" has got to be one of the corniest "stupid typical bad guy" scenes ever. And, finally, when the movie reaches its climax - first of all, how lucky can our heroes get? The way they manage to break into the Japanese fortress is unbelievable, and the amount of bullets Corey takes while blasting at hordes of enemy troops with a machine gun is ludicrous.

Perhaps it's the unbelievable, overstated corny parts of "Ambush Bay" that make it such an entertaining film; or maybe it's more serious, sincere performances of Mitchum and O'Brian that make it stand out from the deluge of "jungle patrol" stories out there. Whatever the reason, it's thoroughly enjoyable has been a perennial favorite of mine since the days of the now-forgotten TNT Memorial Day Marathons. Now that it's available on DVD, a whole new audience may have opened up.

... Read more

Reviews (1)

A good mystery
I have read several plot analysis written by the "pros" and they seem to be all wrong. There is no terrorist on the plane. The story is about a letter that is found in the first class airport lounge after an international flight has taken off. The letter states that there will be murders before the flight lands. The best part is the "WHO IS THE KILLER" set-up. Farrah is in one of her first roles and just as lovely as ever. Adam Brooks talent was not shown enough. ... Read more

Reviews (26)

Miraculous!
Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito were twins switched at birth, what are the odds? What intelligence! Arnold lived a tropical life on a paradise island and Danny lived a cheap life in Los Angeles stealing cars. When they met for the first time, Arnold got upset that Danny wasn't immortal like he was. I would be too! Danny used Arnold to get out of prison and abandoned him. Dreadful! How could Danny do such a thing to a deity? Arnold was caring and wanted Danny to be a part of his life, but Danny didn't believe that Arnold was his brother! Idiocy! Eventually, Danny opens his heart and takes in Arnold. There the two dress in chic clothing to look like true twins! They fall in love with two sisters (one played by Kelly Preston). At the end, they find their mother and each have twins of their own. I was so deeply moved with this tear-jerker. Especially when the brothers met their mother for the first time, my heart had stopped. Every time I watch this movie, I use at least three kleenex boxes. Expensive! Arnold Schwarzenegger is truly a noble presence and in his next comedy, he proved that he is the superlative!

One of the great 80s classics
"Twins" is without a doubt one of the best comedy movies ever made. Julius (Arnold Schwarzenegger) and Vince (Danny Devito) star as the unlikely twins who were separated at birth. Julius was raised on a tropical island and only knows good and what he has read in several books and Vince is a full time prisoner and troublemaker on the run. After trying for a long time, Julius convinces Vince that they're twins and before long they do some of the same things at the same time and they have a sense of each other even when neither one is anywhere in site, just like twins. However, even though they're twins, they still have their differences. Vince is still unwillingly getting into trouble, but he is getting better with the aid of Julius and they even start going places and hanging out together at times.

"Twins" is a great movie in every way. It's hilarious, it's got a great plot, it's even got its touchy parts, and best of all, Danny Devito and Arnold Schwarzenegger both do a great job. Whether they're getting into trouble, taking up for each other, or having a great time, they both do a great job and make this movie a classic. Kelly Preston also looks better than ever in this movie. I recommend "Twins" to anybody who likes great movies. It's a true classic.

The truth about twins
Julius Benedict (Arnold Swarzenegger) a genetically perfect person has been raised on a secluded island and learned about the world through books. Now he finds out the somewhere out there he has a twin. He must seek out his twin that may be in trouble.

Vincent Benedict (Danny Devito) the twin may not be quite as identical as he was the leftovers of the experiment. But brotherly love and a sense of adventure lead them to search out their mother. What will Arnold and Devito learn on the journey?

One of the highlights is the close up shot of Arnold after his first physical experience with the opposite sex.

"Julius! Are you allergic to something?"
This film delighted, entertained, and surprised me when I first saw it on the big screen in 1988. Why the surprise? Because I never dreamed "Ahnold" could hold his own in a comedic role. But the Austrian muscle man creates laughs as easily as he bashes heads together, and TWINS remains a perennial favorite of mine.

As ridiculous as the plot is (Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito are the products of genetic engineering gone awry), this movie succeeds because of the chemistry between the two actors. It's more than obvious to the viewer that Arnold and DeVito had a blast making this movie, from the action scenes to the way the actors mimic one another to create the "twins" effect. It's all great fun to watch, and the timing between the two is pure bliss.

The movie's tender moments are overly sappy--yet still very effective (especially DeVito's character), and the scrumptious Kelly Preston strikes one of the most memorable poses in all of cinematic history. Director Ivan Reitman delivers a quality comedy, which makes TWINS a thorough feel-good experience. Pop this puppy into the VCR and enjoy.
--D. Mikels

Double your viewing pleasure with this film!
GHOSTBUSTERS director Ivan Reitman directs Danny DeVito and Arnold Schwarzenegger in a hilarious film about twins Vince(DeVito) and Julius(Schwarzenegger) Benedict who have the same mom but different dads(6 dads among them). Julius spent most of his life,before finding Vince,on and island where he was loved and protected by his fellow residents. Vince is confronted by devious businessmen who he owes money to. Julius "beats the crap out of" one of the businessmen who grabs Vince by the throat. The twins do find their mother via careful research. Julius falls in love with Marnie,the sister of Vince's girlfriend. Vince teaches Julius how to drive,even showing him the locations of the accelerator and brakes. The two pairs of siblings all go for a weekend getaway. They're at a nightclub in Texas and are found by Vince's nemeses,who plan to kill him. Instead they get the crap beaten out of them by both Vince and Julius. Take note of how Vince and Julius dress exactly alike. In the last scene,the twins and their new wives have twins of their own,respectively. Isn't that awesome? As 1988 was nearing the end,this movie was released and was a box office success. Six years later,Reitman,DeVito and Schwarzenegger would reunite for JUNIOR. ... Read more

Description

The 50th Anniversary Edition of Kurt Neumann's science fiction classic. Four men and a girl blast into space on mankind's first expedition to the Moon. But due to a cataclysmic event in space, their ship is sent hurling out of control towards the planet Mars. Suspenseful terror as the crew fights for their life on a war-ravaged world with radiation-riddled nightmare creatures! The climax makes this one of the most powerful and unforgettable science fiction movies ever made. "Rocketship X-M" was deftly brought to the screen by famed writer/director Kurt Neumann. Long considered the definitive space exploration film of the 50's, a genuine classic with a power that has spanned the decades.Includes Trailer. ... Read more

Reviews (16)

WE'RE OFF COURSE
This film opens with a countdown and just keeps going after lift off. Short on science fact, but long on style and ideas, this is one of the better early "first into space" movies. It has a Jules Verne feel, a German work ethic pace, and keeps the surprises and the clique's coming - two of which were staples in these early type of movies: the sudden metor storm between the Earth and Moon and the "we're off course" stunt where the ship makes a U-Turn and heads for Mars or Venus (in this case it's Mars). But despite this, this is an entertaining film with a good cast and a surprise ending that is almost unheard of these days. ROCKETSHIP X-M is not for everybody, but if you are a collector and a sci-fi fan, than this is an excellent addition to any library.

Expedition: Moon
Yep this movie is as fun and forward looking as they say. What I found fascination from the beginning was the equipment. The short-wave radio barely reached to space. The gages were an altimeter and an air speed indicator (what air?) and I liked the airplane throttles for the rocket speed. A 1000-LB fuel tank need moving so Major William Corrigan says "I used to throw a 1000 LB steer over my shoulder every morning" Colonel Floyd Graham replies "Are you sure that wasn't a bull?"

The first manned rocket (looks like a V2 shape), is pointed at the moon. Through a series of mishaps and miscalculations, it ends up on Mars. Once on mars that looks like Red Rock Canyon, Mojave, California, USA and Death Valley, California, USA, the crew discover a secret that is vital for Earth to know.

Do they make it back? Find out:

Try this:

Click on "visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)"

Click on "video clip(s)"

the first episode ever.
Perhaps most irritating is the Lloyd Bridges line to the token female astronaut when she comments sarcastically about women simply staying home and raising babies: "Isn't that enough?" I think the most remarkable thing about this terrible film is its stereotypes. Yes, the film was made many years ago, and I don't mean to say that these were not present in great films of the era or fault the filmmakers for this, I'm simply saying that it's an interesting cultural nugget. The man from Texas is deeply offended when someone says that Texas looks like a mere speck from space (come on, I'm from Texas, but it would). The woman who chooses career - and a male-dominated scientific career at that - over home and family is portrayed as cold (and overly emotional when her correct calculations are discarded) until she finally realizes that she simply needs a man to hold her. Further, how silly is it that there is an intensely planned trip to the moon and then oops! We're on Mars instead. You "can pretty much sense the string" elevating the objects that are supposed to be floating when gravity starts to go on the fritz (see "Things which are Funny Floating"). However, a much more tolerable version of this film was indeed done by that guy and his two robots. It was the first episode (#201) in the cable era of Mystery Science Theater 3000, and well worth it if you can find a copy.

Were we watching the same movie?
I have a serious bone to pick with all of you who gave this film such high ratings. I ordered it on the strength of the glowing reviews I found on Amazon, so I think you guys owe me a refund. The acting occasionally rises to the level of so-so, but the plot and dialog are absolutely ridiculous. And the science! Lordy, lordy, where do I start? Spaceships that make 90 degree turns? The "darkness of space" ... what about that big, glowing thing at the center of the solar system? A minor error in astrogation, and two hours later you end up at Mars instead of the Moon?? (Was Sheila Jackson Lee the technical consultant?)
And -- I swear this is true -- when they did those 90-degree turns, they had all the actors pushing on the inside of the rocketship.

Maybe -- MAYBE -- this thing is worth watching from a historical standpoint, as some kind of turning point from schlock to serious sci fi movies, but that's all. My overall rating is: "Embarassing!" For everyone involved, from the writer to the actors. Where is that guy and his two robots when you need them???

If you want a pivotal sci fi film, with serious science and ground-breaking special effects, get Robert Heinlein's "Destination Moon." And then go on to classics like "Forbidden Planet" and "The Time Machine." But skip this dog biscuit.

Did much to inspire the space movie craze of the 1950s
Rocketship X-M was really one of the first good science fiction films of the 1950s, and its influence can be seen in the slew of space movies released throughout that decade. In some ways, it is the quintessential science fiction film of the era; it sends a crew of four men and one woman into space for the first time, and these characters actually get a chance to express their own personalities during the journey. While the science of the film misses the mark in a number of ways, the filmmakers did not rely on alien "monsters" to help the story along. The movie has a message, and its plausibility and rather unhappy conclusion bring that message home to viewers. The film also reflects to some degree the culture of the time in terms of gender, sporting a number of chauvinistic lines sure to rankle many modern viewers.

Our intrepid crew for this secret first manned spaceship launch consists of ship designer Dr. Exum (John Emery), navigator Floyd Graham (Lloyd Bridges), engineer Major William Corrigan (Noah "Rockford's Dad" Beery, Jr.), some less important guy played by Hugh O'Brian, and brilliant female chemist Dr. Lisa Van Horn (Osa Massen). When Floyd isn't navigating, he's putting the moves on the cold and aloof Lisa. Things go swimmingly at first (with the ship, not with Lloyd's advances), but then a problem with the fuel mixture (sure - blame the woman) causes the engines to die. When Dr. Van Horn defends her computations, she is treated to a few chauvinistic remarks about acting like a woman; the great and mighty men figure things out on their own, and before you know it everyone is knocked unconscious and the Rocketship X-M (which was supposed to land on the moon) finds itself flung out into deep space. As luck would have it, though, they wake up to find themselves within reach of Mars and take advantage of the opportunity to land there. This is a Lippert film, so you knew there would have to be many scenes of people climbing hills and mountains somewhere in it. Well, the crew members make a few discoveries about the state of past and current life on the red planet and try to make it back home to spread the word to the people of earth - it's your basic nuclear was is bad kind of advice. The ending is not a happy one by any means, but it does serve to further man's (or at least science fiction script writers') determination to explore outer space.

There's nothing fancy at all about this movie, yet it really does deliver the type of message a science fiction film should carry. Along with the science, weak as it turned out to be in places, and a "scientific moral" to the story, we actually get to see characterization come to life before our very eyes (especially in terms of Floyd and Lisa). I think this 1950 film deserves to be called a classic in its field, and it still has much to offer all fans of science fiction. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Glad it's being released on DVD.....but
I'm so glad these Gunsmoke movies are being released on DVD. But, can someone tell me why this wasn't released as a 3 DVD set and not indivdidual DVD's. Like the "Sarah Plain and Tall" 3 movie saga. It was released with all 3 movies together in one case. I'm pretty sure most people are going to purchase all 3 movies of gunsmoke. I'm thinking "SPACE", "ROOM" to keep all these DVD's that are being released or have been released. Not everyone has all the space in there home for so many shows being released on DVD. To the manufactures of these movies: Next time do a survey to find out what people would like. I sure would of liked all 3 Gunsmoke movies in one case (jacket).

FANTASTIC!!!!
Charles Correll directed a stupendous flick!My favorite! All characters were superb. Mandac was a character who was extremely memorable. I watch this dozens of times and always see something new. Hats off to a brilliant movie and a brilliant director!!

Gunsmoke reunion movie No. 2
Gunsmoke - The Last Apache -- James Arness as Matt Dillon returns for the second of the Gunsmoke TV movies. Again the story reaches into Matt's past. Matt receives a letter from a woman he hasn't seen in 20 years -- Mike played by Michael Learned. (Flashback scenes from Gunsmoke are presented. From the episode "Matt's Love Story" -- a wounded Matt Dillon loses his memory and falls in love with a widow.) Mike requests his return in the urgent letter. Matt arrives to find her ranch in flames following a raid by the Apache Indians. He is stunned to learn that he and Mike have a daughter named Beth. Beth has been kidnapped by Wolf, a warrior chief for Geronimo. Wolf is played by Joe Lara (star of the syndicated TV series Tarzan: The Epic Adventures). Richard Kiley and Hugh O'Brian also guest star. Color. First aired on CBS in 1990 as a two-hour Gunsmoke movie. Very entertaining. ... Read more

Amazon.com

You don't have to be a Kenny Rogers fan to enjoy his popular Gambler telefilms. Inspired by Rogers's 1978 hit song (which is replayed in each film) and beginning with The Gambler in 1980, this low-key series of two-night, four-hour broadcasts drew a majority of Rogers's loyal fans, and they hold up today as likeable showcases for Kenny and a lot of young 'n' old genre stalwarts.

The Gambler Returns: Luck of the Draw (1991) has an irresistible hook: As feisty Reba McEntire partners up with Rogers's Brady Hawkes, the hoary plot features a posse of stars from classic TV Westerns, from Gene Barry's Bat Masterson to David Carradine as swift-kickin' Kwai-Chang Caine, from the '70s ABC series Kung Fu. Hairstyles are wrong, production values are adequate, and the plot's disposable: On the eve of Congressional outlaw of gambling, Reba recruits Kenny to gamble cross-country from Mexico to finance a final championship poker match in San Francisco. Bloodless shoot-outs ensue as greedy villains follow their trail, but the relaxed pacing allows leg-room for multiple subplots and supporting characters, most played by still-ornery veterans of the genre.

Playing for Keeps (1994) is even lankier in its rhythms, and by then Rogers was comfortably wearing his role like an old leather glove. The plot drops Kenny and Mariska Hargitay (who'd later costar in Law & Order: SVU) into a languid rehash of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, but its father-'n'-son reunion is played for keeps, as it were, and it gives this chummy TV movie some added dramatic heft. [Note: Although both films run 180 minutes, Artisan has inexplicably divided Luck of the Draw on discs 1 and 2; Playing for Keeps fits entirely on disc 2.] --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Greatest heroes of the bible are great
Up to now I have seen only the part Samson and Delilah on video. I was positively surprised. I like the episode and I think its good how God was represented in the part. Very beautifully I find is the narrator at the beginning of the series which explains the birth of the life. Only sad is that the parts are not a little bit longer. Therefore, the story comes a little bit too shortly. That`s the reason why I can give only four stars.

But the series is definitely worth to seeing and I will still buy the DVD Collection anyway.

Greatest Heroes Of The Bible
This Movie had great color and surrounding content. The Actors were of better than usual sincerity, but could have done better. As for the accuracy of Scripture, much was lacking. A lot of historical events of more importance were omitted and should have been given more consideration. There have been few movies where the Bible is presented that Scholarly concerns have been at the forefront. For the mosy part , the movie was of some importance and did shed some light on what scripture was trying to say. Since no one is perfect, I guess there is always room for improvement.

Greatest Heroes Of The Bible
This Movie has great color and background content. It is lacking in authenticity of facts as recorded in the Bible. There was a lot left out and not covered as concerning the Life of Samson and others. The Ten Commandments of Cecil B. Demile was much better and had more factual content than a movie of this caliber. It seemed as if the Producer was trying to create a fast event movie that would attract a less informed audience than those who are Bible Scholars.Accuracy is a must with Bible Scholars. R.C. Timms ... Read more

Description

"Ground on Fire," Native Americans called Death Valley. It is the hottest place on Earth and an awesome setting for Wild West stories of survival, adventure and great beauty. "Echoes Through Time: Death Valley" reveals the Valley’s secrets and lore — from legendary gold mines and dusty ghost towns to spectacular sand dunes, stunning vistas and springtime flowers; from greedy outlaws and pioneer heroes to the ancient wisdom of Native American elders.

In this Gold Medal Award-winning film, legendary Western star Hugh O’Brian (Wyatt Earp, The Shootist, Return to Tombstone) leads viewers on an exciting journey through a timeless land.

"The whole story of Death Valley comes alive!" says LeRoy Johnson, Death Valley expert and author of "Escape From Death Valley" and "Julia: Death Valley's Youngest Victim."

"A fascinating and visually stunning journey... One of the best introductions to the life and history of Death Valley," writes Jonathan Spaulding of the Seaver Institute of Western History, Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History.

DVD EXTRA! • "SHOOTING STARS: GREAT PHOTOGRAPHERS OF THE WEST": The exciting story of how photographers like Ansel Adams, Carleton Watkins and William Henry Jackson helped shape people's ideas about Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Yellowstone and the West.Voted Best Independent History Film of the year at the Houston International Film Festival, "SHOOTING STARS" premiered at the 2004 Wine Country Film Festival. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A good mystery
I have read several plot analysis written by the "pros" and they seem to be all wrong. There is no terrorist on the plane. The story is about a letter that is found in the first class airport lounge after an international flight has taken off. The letter states that there will be murders before the flight lands. The best part is the "WHO IS THE KILLER" set-up. Farrah is in one of her first roles and just as lovely as ever. Adam Brooks talent was not shown enough. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

OK Western, poor quality tape
I purchased Front Row Entertainment's VHS version of "Vengeance Valley" and was bitterly disappointed. The video quality is poor and the sound track is no better. The story, from what I could make of it, is humdrum. If you're a Lancaster fan, however, the movie is worth having in your collection. And if you're a fan of wasting 20 bucks on a poor quality video, this is a tape for you!

A Good Cast in an Average Western
Vengeance Valley is an average Western. Its best feature is a remarkably strong cast. This alone means that it ought not to be classified as a B film, for second features could not afford so many familiar faces, nor could they afford the fine location shooting which is to be found in Vengeance Valley. The cast perform quite well. Robert Walker always makes a better villain than a good guy. He portrays both weakness and malevolence in a performance which bears comparison with his more celebrated role in Strangers on a Train. It is always a pleasure to watch Burt Lancaster, but his acting lacks the authority which would be present in his later films. I always look out for Joanne Dru films, but this is not one of her best. The feisty and beautiful heroine of She Wore a Yellow Ribbon and Red River seems to have faded somewhat and it is possible to see in this film the seeds of her decline as a star. She would make no more important films after this.

The story is interesting without being original. Walker and his foster brother Lancaster fight it out over Dru and Cattle. Strangely the 'vengeance' of the film's title does not refer to this aspect of the plot, but to a sub-plot in which two cowboys seek vengeance on the man who made their sister pregnant. Still Vengeance Valley makes a more snappy title than Battling Brothers.

This is by no means a classic Western, but it is perfectly competent. It may not linger long in the memory, but fans of the genre will certainly enjoy the ride while it lasts.

Sturdy Western
This is a sturdy western featuring beautiful color photography, and an interesting character study. Burt Lancaster plays a stolid, depedable foster son who reluctantly has to face down his reckless foster brother played by Robert Walker. Walker and Lancaster play off each other well, their naturally opposing acting styles heightning the conflict between these two. Unfortunately, Robert Walker, who made quite an impression in his short film career -- especially in Hitchcock's "Strangers on a Train" -- would be dead shortly after this film was released. A sad footnote to an overlooked but interesting film. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A good mystery
I have read several plot analysis written by the "pros" and they seem to be all wrong. There is no terrorist on the plane. The story is about a letter that is found in the first class airport lounge after an international flight has taken off. The letter states that there will be murders before the flight lands. The best part is the "WHO IS THE KILLER" set-up. Farrah is in one of her first roles and just as lovely as ever. Adam Brooks talent was not shown enough. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

OK Western, poor quality tape
I purchased Front Row Entertainment's VHS version of "Vengeance Valley" and was bitterly disappointed. The video quality is poor and the sound track is no better. The story, from what I could make of it, is humdrum. If you're a Lancaster fan, however, the movie is worth having in your collection. And if you're a fan of wasting 20 bucks on a poor quality video, this is a tape for you!

A Good Cast in an Average Western
Vengeance Valley is an average Western. Its best feature is a remarkably strong cast. This alone means that it ought not to be classified as a B film, for second features could not afford so many familiar faces, nor could they afford the fine location shooting which is to be found in Vengeance Valley. The cast perform quite well. Robert Walker always makes a better villain than a good guy. He portrays both weakness and malevolence in a performance which bears comparison with his more celebrated role in Strangers on a Train. It is always a pleasure to watch Burt Lancaster, but his acting lacks the authority which would be present in his later films. I always look out for Joanne Dru films, but this is not one of her best. The feisty and beautiful heroine of She Wore a Yellow Ribbon and Red River seems to have faded somewhat and it is possible to see in this film the seeds of her decline as a star. She would make no more important films after this.

The story is interesting without being original. Walker and his foster brother Lancaster fight it out over Dru and Cattle. Strangely the 'vengeance' of the film's title does not refer to this aspect of the plot, but to a sub-plot in which two cowboys seek vengeance on the man who made their sister pregnant. Still Vengeance Valley makes a more snappy title than Battling Brothers.

This is by no means a classic Western, but it is perfectly competent. It may not linger long in the memory, but fans of the genre will certainly enjoy the ride while it lasts.

Sturdy Western
This is a sturdy western featuring beautiful color photography, and an interesting character study. Burt Lancaster plays a stolid, depedable foster son who reluctantly has to face down his reckless foster brother played by Robert Walker. Walker and Lancaster play off each other well, their naturally opposing acting styles heightning the conflict between these two. Unfortunately, Robert Walker, who made quite an impression in his short film career -- especially in Hitchcock's "Strangers on a Train" -- would be dead shortly after this film was released. A sad footnote to an overlooked but interesting film. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

OK Western, poor quality tape
I purchased Front Row Entertainment's VHS version of "Vengeance Valley" and was bitterly disappointed. The video quality is poor and the sound track is no better. The story, from what I could make of it, is humdrum. If you're a Lancaster fan, however, the movie is worth having in your collection. And if you're a fan of wasting 20 bucks on a poor quality video, this is a tape for you!

A Good Cast in an Average Western
Vengeance Valley is an average Western. Its best feature is a remarkably strong cast. This alone means that it ought not to be classified as a B film, for second features could not afford so many familiar faces, nor could they afford the fine location shooting which is to be found in Vengeance Valley. The cast perform quite well. Robert Walker always makes a better villain than a good guy. He portrays both weakness and malevolence in a performance which bears comparison with his more celebrated role in Strangers on a Train. It is always a pleasure to watch Burt Lancaster, but his acting lacks the authority which would be present in his later films. I always look out for Joanne Dru films, but this is not one of her best. The feisty and beautiful heroine of She Wore a Yellow Ribbon and Red River seems to have faded somewhat and it is possible to see in this film the seeds of her decline as a star. She would make no more important films after this.

The story is interesting without being original. Walker and his foster brother Lancaster fight it out over Dru and Cattle. Strangely the 'vengeance' of the film's title does not refer to this aspect of the plot, but to a sub-plot in which two cowboys seek vengeance on the man who made their sister pregnant. Still Vengeance Valley makes a more snappy title than Battling Brothers.

This is by no means a classic Western, but it is perfectly competent. It may not linger long in the memory, but fans of the genre will certainly enjoy the ride while it lasts.

Sturdy Western
This is a sturdy western featuring beautiful color photography, and an interesting character study. Burt Lancaster plays a stolid, depedable foster son who reluctantly has to face down his reckless foster brother played by Robert Walker. Walker and Lancaster play off each other well, their naturally opposing acting styles heightning the conflict between these two. Unfortunately, Robert Walker, who made quite an impression in his short film career -- especially in Hitchcock's "Strangers on a Train" -- would be dead shortly after this film was released. A sad footnote to an overlooked but interesting film. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The charms of DVD sometimes passeth understanding. VengeanceValley isan 83-minute B Western directed (barely) by the dullest of MGM hacks, RichardThorpe, and based on one of the genre's hoariest formulas--the bad naturalson (Robert Walker), the good foster son (Burt Lancaster), and the rangeempire they respectively imperil and rescue. Everyone on board was markingtime: Walker, who otherwise spent 1951 playing Bruno Anthony in Hitchcock's Strangers on a Train, and who would be dead within the year;Lancaster, whose glum performance hints at neither the gusto of hisearly-'50s swashbucklers nor the fact that he would soon be collecting Oscarnominations; Joanne Dru (playing Walker's recent bride), who only a yearearlier was working for John Ford; and screenwriter Irving Ravetch, who woulddraw a much more auspicious ranch-land assignment a decade later with Hud(1963). No, we can't make exalted claims for Vengeance Valley--butthat's just the point: this is an absolutely typical slice of moviegoing lifein 1951, and watching this DVD is as uncanny as a trip in a time machine. Theaura is perfected by the true three-strip Technicolor print, not a latterdayEastmancolor approximation of the real thing. Throw in a supporting cast of such sagebrush perennials as John Ireland, Will Wright, Glenn Strange, JimHayward, and TV's Wyatt Earp-to-be, Hugh O'Brian, and you've got aquintessential Saturday at the Bijou. Now if only the great colorfilms of the period could all look this good.... -- Richard T. Jameson ... Read more

Reviews (3)

OK Western, poor quality tape
I purchased Front Row Entertainment's VHS version of "Vengeance Valley" and was bitterly disappointed. The video quality is poor and the sound track is no better. The story, from what I could make of it, is humdrum. If you're a Lancaster fan, however, the movie is worth having in your collection. And if you're a fan of wasting 20 bucks on a poor quality video, this is a tape for you!

A Good Cast in an Average Western
Vengeance Valley is an average Western. Its best feature is a remarkably strong cast. This alone means that it ought not to be classified as