Western Film #6: Death Rides A Horse Review - 1967

Film #6:  Death Rides A Horse Review - 1967

 Rated: Unrated   

Death Rides a Horse, also known as Da uomo a uomo or As Man to Man, is a spaghetti western (Italian produced western) made in 1967.  The film is about a boy named Bill Meceita who survives the brutal robbery and murder of his family and sets out on a quest for revenge years later.  Bill meets up with an ex-convict named Ryan, played by Lee Van Cleef, who was double crossed by the same gang that murdered Meceita’s family.  The two cross paths often as they are on a similar quest, cooperating occasionally, but more often at odds.  The film holds up well against many American westerns and outshines a lot of other spaghetti westerns.  The film contains solid, often amusing, dialogue and action.  I actually found the music in this film to be fairly enjoyable as well, adding to the mood of many scenes.  Overall I found the film a worthwhile experience, one I could definitely recommend to a fan of westerns, or even action films in general.

created by RJA for openfilmden.com and openflimden.blogspot.com

Western Film #5: The Great Train Robbery (2 versions) - 1903

Film #5:  The Great Train Robbery (2 versions) - 1903

 Rated: Unrated   

WATCH THIS FILM   

The Great Train Robbery was released in 1903 and is one of the first westerns ever produced, even though it was shot in Miltown, New Jersey.  The film, as the name gives away, details the efforts of several bandits in robbing a train, and their escape.  The film has been widely thought of as a milestone in film making, as it incorporates many innovative film making techniques.   The film was very influential and many modern films pay tribute to it.  It is a fast paced, silent film that relies heavily on action to tell the story.  Clocking in at less than twelve minutes, the film makes for a short and engaging watch, that is sure to entertain both fans of western films or the casual viewer.

created by RJA for openfilmden.com and openflimden.blogspot.com

Western Film #4: The Sundowners Review - 1950

Film #4:  The Sundowners Review - 1950

 Rated: Unrated   

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The Sundowners, starring Robert Preston, Robert Sterling, and John Drew Barrymore, is a western film released in 1950 portraying three brothers in a feud with neighboring ranchers.  The film details the conflict with the ranchers as well as the conflict between the Cloud brothers on how to handle the situation.  The film explores one brother’s fight for what he believes in and the unscrupulous means in which he uses to get his way.  Unfortunately, his actions end up influencing the youngest brother.   The third brother sees how the youngest is turning out and intervenes by trying to stop the other brother.  The film tends to be less reliant on action than other traditional westerns, but makes up for it in many ways including well written dialog and superb delivery.  The film was shot on location in Texas, and the scenery certainly adds to the likeability of the film.  Don’t pass this one up!

created by RJA for openfilmden.com and openflimden.blogspot.com

Western Film #3: The Outlaw Review - 1943

Film #3:  The Outlaw Review - 1943

 Rated: Unrated   

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Controversial in its time, The Outlaw was released in 1943 and focuses largely on a love triangle between Billy the kid, Doc Holliday, and a woman named Rio.  Doc Holliday arrives in the town of Lincoln while trailing his stolen horse, Red, and meets up with his old friend Pat Garret.  Red was stolen however by none other than Billy the Kid.  Doc ends up befriending Billy who is the nemesis of Pat and the conflict truly starts here.  While wounded in a fight with Pat, Billy is looked after by Rio, Doc’s girl, who falls for Billy.  The film took a long time to receive a wide release due to controversy surrounding the showcasing of actress Jane Russell’s breasts in both the film and promotional artwork.  The film would turn Russell into a national sex symbol, but only after some of the film was trimmed in order to pass regulation by the Hollywood Production Code Administration.  The film itself became a hit, in part because of the controversy, as well as the action and character drama.  Seize the opportunity to view this star making classic today!

created by RJA for openfilmden.com and openflimden.blogspot.com

Western Film #2: The Arizona Kid Review - 1939

Film #2:  The Arizona Kid Review - 1939

 Rated: Unrated   

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Released in 1939, The Arizona Kid is a B western film starring Roy Rogers.  The film, one of many westerns starring Rogers, is largely about Rogers’ relationship with his childhood friend Dave.  Dave is a reckless and rebellious soul who joins up with a pack of raiders despite Roy's attempts to stop him.  The film details their conflict after Roy joins the confederate army and is ordered to stop the raiders.   The film displays some solid acting from Rogers that is sure to evoke some emotion from the viewer.  The film seems more serious and somewhat darker than many other of Rogers’ films, and there is less singing than what is standard for one of his films.  If you are looking for an action packed, adventurous ride, this film is for you.

created by RJA for openfilmden.com and openflimden.blogspot.com

Western Film #1: My Pal Trigger Review - 1946

Film #1:  My Pal Trigger Review - 1946

Rated: Unrated   

WATCH THIS FILM    

My Pal Trigger is a 1946 musical set in the American Wild West and stars Roy Rogers with his famous horse, Trigger.  This film gives the back story of Trigger and is the first Roy Rogers film to feature the horse.  The film begins with Rogers, a local horse salesman, loking for a mate for his mare.  After finding a suitable stallion and the two horses successfully mating, the stallion is accidentally killed by his owner and Rogers is blamed for the crime!  After fleeing from persecution, Rogers' horse gives birth to a baby colt who is named "Trigger".  Trigger quickly becomes Rogers' favorite horse.  However, the companionship between the two is soon cut short!  Rogers is forced to pay for a crime he didn't commit and the guilty man has gotten his hands on trigger!

A classic Roy Rogers musical with all the western film aspects you have come to expect.  Trigger is excellent in the film and really demonstrates why he was known as the "Smartest Horse in the Movies".  Check out this classic western today and every day this week!

created by DAW for openfilmden.com and openflimden.blogspot.com

Week 4 of THEME MONTH is WESTERN THEME FILMS - Daily Reviews and Film Postings!!!

The genre of film known as the Western originated in the early 1900s and is still being produced to this very day.  Despite its American origins, this widely beloved genre would go on to capture the interest of the entire world.  

Western films originated in the silent film era and were very popular in this time period.  The films usually take place in the American Wild West during the period of time after the civil war and before the 1900s.  Often these stories depicted the struggle between settlers and the emerging technologies of the time period.  They tended to show society that was based on codes of honor and fairness.  Justice was represented by an eye for an eye type mentality rather than complex written laws.  Westerns often focused on a lone protagonist who wandered into town and would end up involved with and needing to rescue a woman.  After the end of the silent film era, studios began cranking out Western movies very quickly on low budgets, often reusing sets and shooting entire films in 5 days.  These types of films would come to be known as “B Westerns”. 

As the popularity of the Western genre spread, other
countries began making their own Western films.  They would often cast American actors as lead characters and actors from their own countries in other roles.  These became popular in Italy in particular, and were referred to as Spaghetti Westerns. Over time, Western films would start to depict life during the time period in a less positive way, showing the inequality and brutality that occurred.  Many subgenres would emerge, ranging from Horror Westerns to Comedy Westerns. As Westerns are a vital part of American culture, you should spare some time and view some of these historic films!

written by RJA for openfilmden.com 
and openflimden.blogspot.com