Chisum

Media:	DVD
Directed by:	Andrew V. McLaglen
Starring:	John Wayne, Forrest Tucker
Release date:	14 September, 2004
List price:	~~$14.96~~
Our price:	$11.54 that is 23% off!

Chisum

Average rating: Stars

uninspired western

As a John Wayne fan, I usually enjoyed all of his movies in one way or another. This means I enjoyed even his bad ones and Chisum proves to be one of his bad ones. Its bad not because anything John Wayne have done or didn't do, he was great in this movie but overall, this film proves to be by the number western and it simply didn't stand out at all. It probably the poorest Hollywood adaption of the Lincoln County War. The script proves to be totally uninspired and on the whole outside of John Wayne, the actors seem to be going through the motion. While the movie entertained to a certain level, most viewers, even fans like myself can feel that there is a certain spirit and drive missing from this movie. The film's villain played by Forrest Tucker wasn't very good and he seem to be hamming up too much. There seem to be unnecessary sideplots involving Billy the Kid, Chisum's daughter and lousy dialogue which distract and turning this western more like soap opera.

The DVD edition of this movie proves to be pretty decent. Nothing to bragged about but nothing cry around. Its a pretty stripped down edition. The film looked pretty good on my regular TV set, the sounds proves to be clear and the commentary that came with this movie was semi-interesting.

Overall, one of John Wayne's poorer efforts, he gave his best but sometimes the material simply cannot be overcome.

Chisum - John Wayne, Forrest Tucker

STRONG JOHN WAYNE WESTERN

I've always loved John Waynes westerns of the 60's and 70's. Even in older age he was a commanding presence on the screen. Chisum tells the story of the real-life Lincoln County war between John Chisum (wayne) and L.G. Murphy (Forrest Tucker). Chisum is a cattle baron who has settle this area of New Mexico long ago and a well-respected man of the Community. Murphy is the newcomer. A rich man bent on taking over Lincoln County by buying up everything he can and puttin any competitors out of business. This puts him into direct conflict with CHisum. Chisum soon uses his considerable funds to back a store and bank of his own to compete with Murphy.

Chisum is friends with another rich cattleman, a Northeasterner Henry Tunstall. Tunstall just happens to employ a certain young man named Billy Bonney AKA Billy the Kid. Tunstall is a man of God who tries to get Billy to change his lawless ways. Billy finds himself at odds with Chisum due to a romantic interest that forms between he and his niece Sally. EVentually a couple of crooked deputies kill Tunstall claiming he pulled a gun on them. Billy in turn kills the town sheriff setting off an all out war between the various factions leading to a climactic fight between Chisum and Murphy.

The movie does play quite loose with the various facts of the real life Lincoln County war especially with Kid's relation ship with Pat Garrett. The cast was very strong in this film and includes old Wayne co-hort Ben Johnson as "pepper", Chisums friend who mutters his opinion just under his breath all the time. Glen Corbett is the blue steel-eyed Pat Garrett, and Geoffrey Duel is Billy the Kid. Another of the Duke's old pals Bruce Cabot plays the Sheriff, and Chris George is along as the new sadistic Sheriff Nodeen.

The movie has all the hallmarks of Waynes westerns. Gorgeous scenery, plenty of action, and a good dose of humor. Among the memorable scenes is when Murphy's men have the town barricaded against Chisums arrival so the Duke sends a stampege of bulls plowing into the town. The DVD version I have comes with a commentary track by director Andrew McLagen.

John Wayne, Forrest Tucker - Chisum

Whatta ya mumblin' about Pepper??!!

Next to Big Jake, this was Wayne's best film in the 1970s. By this time, the Duke was so at home in front of a camera that he could do roles like this in his sleep.

Ben Johnson steals the show as James Pepper, his sidekick who has been with him through thick and thin. Two classic examples are when Chisum prepares to ride down to the river to retrieve his horses from the thieves. He says, "I'm going down there. The rest of you cover me with your long guns." As he starts down, Pepper is right behind him, and as Chisum starts to talk, Pepper responds, "I heard you Mister Chisum, but I ain't the rest of 'em," indicating he wasn't just another hired hand.

Another example is when Pepper says, "Would you like to hear my opinion Mr. John Simpson Chisum?" Wayne replies, "Nope," and Pepper never checks up, "Well, my opinion is. . ." He knew he could speak his peace and get away with it. And, as it turns out, his opinion was right on the money.

Wayne and Johnson had known each other for so long and knew their roles that their chemistry on screen was just plain natural. Several times in the movie, Pepper is mumbling about something, and Chisum is always on his case.

The script gives Wayne plenty of chances to express himself as only he could do through the years. When the head of the horse thieves says, "There must be some mistake," Wayne replies, "You made it." And when the thug asks if he brought gold or silver to buy the horses back, Wayne simply replies, "Just lead."

And don't forget when Lawrence Murphy said he felt like Chisum was threatening him. Wayne promptly decks him and says, "Wrong word! Fact!"

Wayne's facial expressions and demeanors as each situation developed in the movie are classic, showing how he had spent 40 years perfecting his craft. Anyone saying John Wayne couldn't act is a fool.

The climatic cattle stampede and fight scene at the end of the movie to break up the gunfight in town was a rousing finish to a solid Duke effort. Not his absolute best, but definitely in the Top 10 of a long career.