99 reviews
Splendid Revenge Western.
A personal loss, a huge mistake, a beautiful film
The Bravados (1958)
Unlike John Wayne Westerns (especially the John Ford ones), a lot of Westerns from the 1950 like the Anthony Mann films are a little edgy and psychological. This one, starring a laconic Gregory Peck, is big and beautiful and classic, and it has some of that darkness to it that makes it more contemporary.
To be sure, it's still a product of the clichés of the genre. A loner is on the trail of some bad guys, and for much of the movie he hunts them down across some astonishing landscape. A woman from his past gets in the middle of it, at times, and the townspeople aren't sure what to make of him.
Peck is a great lead, and he's got a strong, if predictable, supporting cast. The woman in question is a young Joan Collins, more famous for her "Dynasty" years. Also of note is the sets and lighting--if sets is the right word. There are so many gorgeous scenes, both in town and in the wilderness, and they are filmed with such great light, it's actually worth watching just to watch. And many of the night scenes are filmed with a bold darkness, the color stripped down and everything hard to discern. This isn't actually Technicolor, but a new competitor, DeLuxe, and the restoration (at least on the Netflix streaming version) is superb.
If you like Westerns, this is one not to miss. If you don't, I think it's still really enjoyable, and might just get you looking for more. The director here, Henry King, is a Hollywood stalwart who took his hand at almost everything (from 1915 into the 1960s). And so you see a pro at work here, working within the genre, but intelligently.
Unlike John Wayne Westerns (especially the John Ford ones), a lot of Westerns from the 1950 like the Anthony Mann films are a little edgy and psychological. This one, starring a laconic Gregory Peck, is big and beautiful and classic, and it has some of that darkness to it that makes it more contemporary.
To be sure, it's still a product of the clichés of the genre. A loner is on the trail of some bad guys, and for much of the movie he hunts them down across some astonishing landscape. A woman from his past gets in the middle of it, at times, and the townspeople aren't sure what to make of him.
Peck is a great lead, and he's got a strong, if predictable, supporting cast. The woman in question is a young Joan Collins, more famous for her "Dynasty" years. Also of note is the sets and lighting--if sets is the right word. There are so many gorgeous scenes, both in town and in the wilderness, and they are filmed with such great light, it's actually worth watching just to watch. And many of the night scenes are filmed with a bold darkness, the color stripped down and everything hard to discern. This isn't actually Technicolor, but a new competitor, DeLuxe, and the restoration (at least on the Netflix streaming version) is superb.
If you like Westerns, this is one not to miss. If you don't, I think it's still really enjoyable, and might just get you looking for more. The director here, Henry King, is a Hollywood stalwart who took his hand at almost everything (from 1915 into the 1960s). And so you see a pro at work here, working within the genre, but intelligently.
- secondtake
- Oct 14, 2010
- Permalink
A western ripe for rediscovery
This late Henry King movie is one of his most under-rated films. It's a revenge western, powerfully scripted by Philip Yordan and directed with commendable restraint by King. Gregory Peck, (at his most stoic), is the rancher bent on bringing to justice the four men he believes raped and killed his wife. The men are a leering Stephen Boyd, Albert Salmi, Henry Silva and an over-excitable Lee Van Cleef. Joan Collins, by this time entrenched in her first American sojourn, is in there, too, but she's the weakest thing in the film. There is a crisis of conscience and a spiritual reawakening to be reckoned with and the film does pose some interesting questions of morality but there's tension and the pleasures that come from a good western, as well. One for rediscovery.
- MOscarbradley
- Apr 13, 2008
- Permalink
Very good Western about a merciless avenger who seeks vengeance against four men who murdered his wife
Pleasant classic Western with magnificent Gregory Peck who steals the show as a merciless revenger gunfighter . He is relentless in his vengeance , deadly in his violence but he learns that he has become no better than those he hunts . A Hollywood production full of action , exaggerated characters , shootouts and lots of violence . For revenge, he doesn't care why he kills or how ¡ ... . An errant Jim Douglas (Gregory Peck) sees the atrocity over his family and executes a single-handedly revenge, as he ravages and murders each person involved in his vendetta . Douglas has been relentlessly pursuing the four outlaws (Albert Salmi , Henry Silva , Stephen Boyd and Lee Van Cleef) who killed his wife, but finds them in prison about to be hanged . But the prisoners escape and villagers enlist Douglas' aid to capture them . The conflict is a simple one between avenger Douglas and oppressors, nasties bandits commanded by cruel Bill Zachary (Stephen Boyd) . Douglas along with a posse set out in pursuit the outlaws and he faces the vicious bandits.
It's an exciting western with breathtaking showdown between the protagonist Gregory Peck against four heartless bandits . In the film premiere attained success , nowadays is well valued and I think it turns out to be a good classic Western. The picture is fleshed out with a marvelous cast as Gregory Peck who is excellent as a good father turned revenger . Nice too is Henry Silva as the brash Mexican young gun and Andrew Duggan as the amiable Padre . Joan Collins gives a good performance as Jim's former girlfriend , she does a well measured portrayal of a woman who still loves her previous sweetheart and who promises to leave with him which ultimately can never be . Stephen Boyd as a cruelly baddie role also is terrific . The film packs violence , gun-play , high body-count and it's fast moving and quite entertaining. There is plenty of action in the movie , guaranteeing some shootouts or stunts every few minutes . This is a dark downbeat story of an avenger gunfighter perfectly performed by Gregory Peck told with genuine realism and honesty . Stylishly written by prestigious by Philip Yordan-Johnny Guitar- , the screenplay was based on an original story by Frank O'Rourke. The movie was directed with a positive flair by Henry King . There are many fine technicians and nice assistants as Lyle Wheeler and Walter Scott in charge of Art Direction and Set Direction respectively . Good production design creating an excellent scenario with luminous outdoors, dirty and rocky landscapes under a glimmer sun and a fine sets on the Mexican landscapes . The musician Lionel Newman composes a nice soundtrack and well conducted , being helped by the maestros Hugo Friedhofer and Alfred Newman , tough uncredited ; it's full of agreeable sounds, and a haunting musical leitmotif . Sharply photographed with striking cinematography by Leon Shamroy in Technicolor, Techniscope with negative well processed and outdoor sequences filmed in Jalisco, Mexico Morelia, Michoacán,St Jose Perua mountains, Mexico.
Henry King 's direction is well crafted , here he's less thought-provoking and broody and more inclined toward violence and too much action , because he's a expert on compelling Adventure/Western genre . Henry King directed other classic Western as ¨ Jesse James(1939)¨and ¨The gunfighter(1950)¨ with Peck again . Koster was specialist on Adventure genre as proved in ¨Untamed , Captain King , Captain of Castilla , Black Swan , Stanley and Livingstone ¨and many others . Rating : Better than average . Worthwhile watching .
It's an exciting western with breathtaking showdown between the protagonist Gregory Peck against four heartless bandits . In the film premiere attained success , nowadays is well valued and I think it turns out to be a good classic Western. The picture is fleshed out with a marvelous cast as Gregory Peck who is excellent as a good father turned revenger . Nice too is Henry Silva as the brash Mexican young gun and Andrew Duggan as the amiable Padre . Joan Collins gives a good performance as Jim's former girlfriend , she does a well measured portrayal of a woman who still loves her previous sweetheart and who promises to leave with him which ultimately can never be . Stephen Boyd as a cruelly baddie role also is terrific . The film packs violence , gun-play , high body-count and it's fast moving and quite entertaining. There is plenty of action in the movie , guaranteeing some shootouts or stunts every few minutes . This is a dark downbeat story of an avenger gunfighter perfectly performed by Gregory Peck told with genuine realism and honesty . Stylishly written by prestigious by Philip Yordan-Johnny Guitar- , the screenplay was based on an original story by Frank O'Rourke. The movie was directed with a positive flair by Henry King . There are many fine technicians and nice assistants as Lyle Wheeler and Walter Scott in charge of Art Direction and Set Direction respectively . Good production design creating an excellent scenario with luminous outdoors, dirty and rocky landscapes under a glimmer sun and a fine sets on the Mexican landscapes . The musician Lionel Newman composes a nice soundtrack and well conducted , being helped by the maestros Hugo Friedhofer and Alfred Newman , tough uncredited ; it's full of agreeable sounds, and a haunting musical leitmotif . Sharply photographed with striking cinematography by Leon Shamroy in Technicolor, Techniscope with negative well processed and outdoor sequences filmed in Jalisco, Mexico Morelia, Michoacán,St Jose Perua mountains, Mexico.
Henry King 's direction is well crafted , here he's less thought-provoking and broody and more inclined toward violence and too much action , because he's a expert on compelling Adventure/Western genre . Henry King directed other classic Western as ¨ Jesse James(1939)¨and ¨The gunfighter(1950)¨ with Peck again . Koster was specialist on Adventure genre as proved in ¨Untamed , Captain King , Captain of Castilla , Black Swan , Stanley and Livingstone ¨and many others . Rating : Better than average . Worthwhile watching .
One of the best westerns
This is a smart western, it is not about the hero quick-drawing against four anonymous opponents at the same time, it is about moral.
For quite some time, you are not sure exactly where the movie is heading. The beginning is slow, with the goal to present the hero (Peck). He is doing just about the same silent, dry western hero as in "The Gunfighter". But the tempo goes up and the plot reveals, step by step. We get very convinced that the four criminals are quite bad men, and the worst is clearly the ruthless Bill (Stephen Boyd), ready for rape and murder any time it suits him.
Joan Collins, however, is mostly annoying, subject of an implied love story that the movie fortunately doesn't go deeper into. She has little importance to the story. It seems she is there only to tack on a touch of romance.
The movie manages to make each and every one of the bad guys (six of them if you count right) sharp and live, we get to know them. We also get to know a few others. The most famous villain actor here is clearly Lee van Cleef, who makes a great job as Parral, but the best character actor is really Joe DeRita (one of the Three Stooges) as Tucker/Simms, who is, incredibly, uncredited despite his fairly big role, central to the story. This means that both casting and script are very good, the script gives room for acting and the actors are capable of delivering.
From an action/western perspective, the movie fails on one thing: It could make more dramatic endings when people are killed, spend a little more time on their last seconds so we kind of follow them down. Now, a death is too much like flipping a switch. We don't have to use slow-motion every time, but a second or two extra would have helped in some places. In some cases, I feel that the movie really doesn't want to show too much violence and blood, but in at least two occasions it isn't that simple, it looks rather like if the director or producer was careless with some important scenes. These all to obvious mistakes lower the total a bit, but they don't ruin the movie, it just takes it below the absolute top.
But what the movie doesn't fail in is to deliver a message, a message of right and wrong, life and death, who has the right to kill. This is where it shines. After all is said and done, you find that there is still a lot more to say, more to think about, and the movie stays with me a lot longer than the average western where the difference between right and wrong is obvious and crystal clear.
For quite some time, you are not sure exactly where the movie is heading. The beginning is slow, with the goal to present the hero (Peck). He is doing just about the same silent, dry western hero as in "The Gunfighter". But the tempo goes up and the plot reveals, step by step. We get very convinced that the four criminals are quite bad men, and the worst is clearly the ruthless Bill (Stephen Boyd), ready for rape and murder any time it suits him.
Joan Collins, however, is mostly annoying, subject of an implied love story that the movie fortunately doesn't go deeper into. She has little importance to the story. It seems she is there only to tack on a touch of romance.
The movie manages to make each and every one of the bad guys (six of them if you count right) sharp and live, we get to know them. We also get to know a few others. The most famous villain actor here is clearly Lee van Cleef, who makes a great job as Parral, but the best character actor is really Joe DeRita (one of the Three Stooges) as Tucker/Simms, who is, incredibly, uncredited despite his fairly big role, central to the story. This means that both casting and script are very good, the script gives room for acting and the actors are capable of delivering.
From an action/western perspective, the movie fails on one thing: It could make more dramatic endings when people are killed, spend a little more time on their last seconds so we kind of follow them down. Now, a death is too much like flipping a switch. We don't have to use slow-motion every time, but a second or two extra would have helped in some places. In some cases, I feel that the movie really doesn't want to show too much violence and blood, but in at least two occasions it isn't that simple, it looks rather like if the director or producer was careless with some important scenes. These all to obvious mistakes lower the total a bit, but they don't ruin the movie, it just takes it below the absolute top.
But what the movie doesn't fail in is to deliver a message, a message of right and wrong, life and death, who has the right to kill. This is where it shines. After all is said and done, you find that there is still a lot more to say, more to think about, and the movie stays with me a lot longer than the average western where the difference between right and wrong is obvious and crystal clear.
This serious adult Western focuses on one man's fanatical pursuit of vengeance and played to near-perfection by Gregory Peck.
Gregory Peck is the show in "The Bravados". His performance reminds me of John Wayne in "The Searchers". In both cases the eyes tell the story. Wayne's were full of hate for the Comanches that defiled his niece. Peck's intense eyes are equally important to this film. In the words of one character, Peck has the "eyes of the hunter".
Like Wayne in "The Searchers" Peck is a man with a quest. Jim Douglas is out for revenge against the murderers of his wife. This single-minded mission brings him to the town of Santa Rita, where the four men he has been chasing are scheduled to hang for another killing. The men escape with a hostage and the chase resumes. Nothing will stop Douglas this time. In his mind the four men deserve no pity and they get none. The law failed to hang them, and now it's his turn.
The casting in this film is interesting. The four low lifes pursued by Peck include three pretty good actors, Stephen Boyd, Henry Silva and Lee Van Cleef. Of the three, Henry Silva's character is the most interesting. He plays Lujan, an Indian. Lujan and Peck share something. They lock eyes at the beginning when Peck visits the four men in jail. It is he who sees the eyes of the hunter. He may not know why Peck hunts them, but he recognizes him as a hunter.
Ultimately, Peck becomes a hero to the citizens of Santa Rita, but heroism comes with a price. In this case Peck sacrifices his humanity. In their end there is potential salvation for Peck from a surprising source.
Except for Lujan, the film provides little reason to sympathize with the four badmen. They have been sentenced to be hanged for a murder in Santa Rita. Steven Boyd ruthlessly shoots an old prospector. Later, he rapes their hostage. Even Joan Collins' character who earlier in the film has urged Peck to give up his relentless quest now urges him to track the surviving killers down and kill them.
There is no question about the morality in this film. There is something incomplete in Peck's character. He is empty inside, because the chase seems to be over. The law has apparently done his job for him. He has little to say to anyone when he arrives in Santa Rita, including his old friend Josefa (Collins). His eyes are full of hate, but otherwise he is hardly alive. He tells Josefa that he loved his wife. "I still do," he says. He has left his little girl behind to chase the killers. Near the end when he sees the little girl she hides behind her nanny. She hardly knows her father. The jail break and the ensuing chase seem to temporarily energize him. He becomes the leader of the possee. Ultimately, he rides off alone to extract his revenge. The energy is misleading. Peck knows what he must do and he does it without emotion. He has sacrificed his humanity at the altar of revenge.
This film is not for everyone. It is a bit intense, and Peck's character isn't very warm and fuzzy. "The Bravados" is a humorless film about a serious subject. Revenge isn't pretty and the price is too high. Peck really delivers with a great performance and the plot is definitely creative. The often told story of the man seeking revenge has seldom been told so well.
Like Wayne in "The Searchers" Peck is a man with a quest. Jim Douglas is out for revenge against the murderers of his wife. This single-minded mission brings him to the town of Santa Rita, where the four men he has been chasing are scheduled to hang for another killing. The men escape with a hostage and the chase resumes. Nothing will stop Douglas this time. In his mind the four men deserve no pity and they get none. The law failed to hang them, and now it's his turn.
The casting in this film is interesting. The four low lifes pursued by Peck include three pretty good actors, Stephen Boyd, Henry Silva and Lee Van Cleef. Of the three, Henry Silva's character is the most interesting. He plays Lujan, an Indian. Lujan and Peck share something. They lock eyes at the beginning when Peck visits the four men in jail. It is he who sees the eyes of the hunter. He may not know why Peck hunts them, but he recognizes him as a hunter.
Ultimately, Peck becomes a hero to the citizens of Santa Rita, but heroism comes with a price. In this case Peck sacrifices his humanity. In their end there is potential salvation for Peck from a surprising source.
Except for Lujan, the film provides little reason to sympathize with the four badmen. They have been sentenced to be hanged for a murder in Santa Rita. Steven Boyd ruthlessly shoots an old prospector. Later, he rapes their hostage. Even Joan Collins' character who earlier in the film has urged Peck to give up his relentless quest now urges him to track the surviving killers down and kill them.
There is no question about the morality in this film. There is something incomplete in Peck's character. He is empty inside, because the chase seems to be over. The law has apparently done his job for him. He has little to say to anyone when he arrives in Santa Rita, including his old friend Josefa (Collins). His eyes are full of hate, but otherwise he is hardly alive. He tells Josefa that he loved his wife. "I still do," he says. He has left his little girl behind to chase the killers. Near the end when he sees the little girl she hides behind her nanny. She hardly knows her father. The jail break and the ensuing chase seem to temporarily energize him. He becomes the leader of the possee. Ultimately, he rides off alone to extract his revenge. The energy is misleading. Peck knows what he must do and he does it without emotion. He has sacrificed his humanity at the altar of revenge.
This film is not for everyone. It is a bit intense, and Peck's character isn't very warm and fuzzy. "The Bravados" is a humorless film about a serious subject. Revenge isn't pretty and the price is too high. Peck really delivers with a great performance and the plot is definitely creative. The often told story of the man seeking revenge has seldom been told so well.
The Searcher.
- rmax304823
- Jun 23, 2011
- Permalink
Tremendous tale of revenge
I'll try not write the big spoilers in this review. This is a tremendous story of revenge, and how it consumes a man, and how it can be hazardous. Peck plays a man who wants revenge for his wife's murder. He follows the trail of four bandits who are about to be hanged, and this is one stellar super star cast of bandits-the smirky handsome Stephen Boyd, the introverted Henry Silva, the gruff Albert Salmi, and later star Lee Van Cleef. They bandits escape, and Peck chases them, cheered on by nearly all of the people he meets. The four men commit evil upon evil, but most of it is done by Boyd. Silva is more or less their guide, and he exudes the most sympathy from the viewer. The movie is perfectly written and directed. It makes the viewer cheer each time Peck kills a bad man, just what the movie wants you to do. In the end, it turns out to be more of a thinking man's movie, and it makes you ask yourself some questions, and at the same time, entertain you. A great movie.
A dour Western with a downbeat ending...
- Nazi_Fighter_David
- Nov 17, 1999
- Permalink
Losing A Moral Compass
John Wayne's Ethan Edwards, Jimmy Stewart's Howard Kemp, or any number of roles Kirk Douglas has played have nothing of the intensity of Gregory Peck's Jim Douglas in The Bravados.
Peck is perfect casting for the part because he's playing against type. If Atticus Finch's wife had been a homicide victim, I think this is how we would see him. Totally lose a moral compass and become a relentless stalker. It's what makes The Bravados work, because we identify Gregory Peck with an innate decency.
Peck's house was robbed and his wife raped and murdered by intruders. Peck has a line on them, they're four killers who've been caught and scheduled to hang for a bank robbery in a town several miles away where a bank teller has been killed.
But they escape with the help of the hangman, Joe DeReda soon to become a stooge. These are a quartet of the nastiest villains ever, Stephen Boyd, Albert Salmi, Lee Van Cleef, and Henry Silva all of whom have played villains with relish on the big screen. One of them, Boyd, in fact is a rapist, they take young Kathleen Gallant the daughter of the town's dry goods merchant along as a hostage.
Charles Bronson never executed bad guys with as much relish as Peck did. They are convicted murderers who've escaped, there's no law to answer to.
Peck may be doing some public service homicides, but there's a higher law he must answer to for the preservation of his own soul. In fact the ending brings quite a twist to the tale.
The Bravados is one of six films directed by long time 20th Century Fox director Henry King who is most known for doing nine films there with Tyrone Power. In fact the first couple that Peck did were probably properties that were meant for Power, but Darryl Zanuck switched them for his new up and coming leading man.
This one however is all Gregory Peck's film, I'm not sure Power could have done a better job. Peck gets some able support from the villainous quartet and from Joan Collins as an old flame he finds that has settled in the town the four have savaged.
Special mention should go to Andrew Duggan as the priest in the town where apparently everyone is Catholic. Duggan does a good job as the padre who gives just the right spiritual advice and counsel to a troubled soul.
Themes like rape were not exactly subject matter for westerns before the Fifties. The Bravadoes succeeds both as Saturday matinée shooting and as serious adult drama. It shouldn't be missed when broadcast.
Peck is perfect casting for the part because he's playing against type. If Atticus Finch's wife had been a homicide victim, I think this is how we would see him. Totally lose a moral compass and become a relentless stalker. It's what makes The Bravados work, because we identify Gregory Peck with an innate decency.
Peck's house was robbed and his wife raped and murdered by intruders. Peck has a line on them, they're four killers who've been caught and scheduled to hang for a bank robbery in a town several miles away where a bank teller has been killed.
But they escape with the help of the hangman, Joe DeReda soon to become a stooge. These are a quartet of the nastiest villains ever, Stephen Boyd, Albert Salmi, Lee Van Cleef, and Henry Silva all of whom have played villains with relish on the big screen. One of them, Boyd, in fact is a rapist, they take young Kathleen Gallant the daughter of the town's dry goods merchant along as a hostage.
Charles Bronson never executed bad guys with as much relish as Peck did. They are convicted murderers who've escaped, there's no law to answer to.
Peck may be doing some public service homicides, but there's a higher law he must answer to for the preservation of his own soul. In fact the ending brings quite a twist to the tale.
The Bravados is one of six films directed by long time 20th Century Fox director Henry King who is most known for doing nine films there with Tyrone Power. In fact the first couple that Peck did were probably properties that were meant for Power, but Darryl Zanuck switched them for his new up and coming leading man.
This one however is all Gregory Peck's film, I'm not sure Power could have done a better job. Peck gets some able support from the villainous quartet and from Joan Collins as an old flame he finds that has settled in the town the four have savaged.
Special mention should go to Andrew Duggan as the priest in the town where apparently everyone is Catholic. Duggan does a good job as the padre who gives just the right spiritual advice and counsel to a troubled soul.
Themes like rape were not exactly subject matter for westerns before the Fifties. The Bravadoes succeeds both as Saturday matinée shooting and as serious adult drama. It shouldn't be missed when broadcast.
- bkoganbing
- Mar 25, 2007
- Permalink
Moral questioning
A surprisingly gritty western with a shock at the end
Good "chase" Western
- doug-balch
- Oct 5, 2010
- Permalink
Could have been good without the romance
- en_blanche
- Apr 2, 2015
- Permalink
Questioning your own judgements....
I think I saw this movie many years ago as a youngster ( I was born in 1952). I also, during the course of the movie on AMC, read a few reviews on IMBd and either due to one or two of the reviews or my previous viewing, I knew what was coming at the end. But it was still an emotional jolt. I agree with a couple of reviews, that the very end seemed sweetened up somewhat, but I went through a period in my 20's and 30's when I had grown overly cynical and didn't like 'unrealistic' endings. I have changed somewhat. I can enjoy both 'types' of movies and endings now, I believe. I am more discerningly cynical now, I hope. Where something really smells like manipulation for the wrong reasons or for greed, I trust my doubts and cynicism to kick in. 'The Bravados' deserves your trust simply because it shows a universal human weakness among terrible, heart-wrenching circumstances in a somewhat 'realistic' setting. Luck plays too big a part at times for the hero (Gregory Peck with great screen presence) during the chase. But if you disagree with his conclusions about his own actions at the end...think again.
Gregory Peck and a good script make a tired old plot live again
- vincentlynch-moonoi
- Jun 24, 2018
- Permalink
You're wasting a lot of good lumber. A tree does just as well.
This is an excellent adult western with a superb performance by Gregory Peck, as a man who rides 100 miles to see four men hanged.
The four men - Lee Van Cleef, Henry Silva, Stephen Boyd, and one other. They raped and murdered his wife and, before he could catch them, they committed another crime for which they are to be hanged. But, if that happens, the movie will be over in 20-30 minutes.
They break out and take a hostage (Kathleen Gallant). It is likely she will suffer the same fate as Peck's wife.
Peck hunts them down one by one. Will he achieve his goal and return home to a 25-year-old Joan Collins? One can only hope.
But, before he does, he has to face some hard truths that will challenge his humanity. The Padre (Andrew Duggan) will help him through that.
The four men - Lee Van Cleef, Henry Silva, Stephen Boyd, and one other. They raped and murdered his wife and, before he could catch them, they committed another crime for which they are to be hanged. But, if that happens, the movie will be over in 20-30 minutes.
They break out and take a hostage (Kathleen Gallant). It is likely she will suffer the same fate as Peck's wife.
Peck hunts them down one by one. Will he achieve his goal and return home to a 25-year-old Joan Collins? One can only hope.
But, before he does, he has to face some hard truths that will challenge his humanity. The Padre (Andrew Duggan) will help him through that.
- lastliberal-853-253708
- Feb 14, 2011
- Permalink
Grim revenge Western with Gregory Peck and Joan Collins
RELEASED in 1958 and directed by Henry King, "The Bravados" stars Gregory Peck as Jim Douglas, a grim, laconic man chasing four outlaws who raped & murdered his wife and finds them in a Southwest jail slated to be hanged come morning, but they escape to Mexico as he leads a posse in pursuit. The thugs are played by Stephen Boyd, Lee Van Cleef, Henry Silva & Albert Salmi while Joan Collins and Kathleen Gallant are on hand in the feminine department.
Peck is effective as the one-note brooding protagonist. The score by Lionel Newman is surprisingly good for a 50's Western, a decade known for some hopelessly hokey Western credits' songs and scores. It's interesting seeing Joan when she was so young (24 during filming) and Gallant is winsomely ravishing (no wonder Boyd's wicked character was so enamored with her).
The film influenced other movies, like "Bandolero!" (1968), "Death Wish" (1974), and Sergio Leone's Eastwood trilogy (and Spaghetti Westerns in general), although Leone of course exchanged realistic characters for cartoony caricatures. The entire first act of "Bandolero!" was taken from this film, although it had an amusing edge while "The Bravados" is deadly serious from beginning to end, which is good (it IS very realistic); but this also makes it somewhat tedious and I can see why some people don't like it. While there's an enlightening twist at the end, "The Bravados" isn't up there with Peck's best Westerns, like "Duel in the Sun" (1946) and "The Big Country" (1958); and it's not as entertaining as "How the West was Won" (1962) or the comic booky "MacKenna's Gold" (1969), but it definitely superior to the somewhat tiresome "The Stalking Moon" (1968).
THE MOVIE RUNS 98 minutes and was shot entirely in Mexico. WRITERS: Philip Yordan (script) & Frank O'Rourke (novel). ADDITIONAL CAST: Herbert Rudley & Ken Scott play the Sheriff and Deputy while Andrew Duggan appears as the padre.
GRADE: B
ADDITIONAL COMMENTARY ***SPOILER ALERT*** (Don't read unless you've seen the film)
Douglas (Peck) did not mistakenly kill three honorable law-abiding citizens; after all, they were sentenced to execution for robbing a bank and murdering the teller. In fact, as a member of a lawfully organized posse he was legally authorized to slay them. The message is not that Douglas did the wrong thing, but rather that he did the right thing for the wrong reason based on naively trusting his neighbor's false information.
Peck is effective as the one-note brooding protagonist. The score by Lionel Newman is surprisingly good for a 50's Western, a decade known for some hopelessly hokey Western credits' songs and scores. It's interesting seeing Joan when she was so young (24 during filming) and Gallant is winsomely ravishing (no wonder Boyd's wicked character was so enamored with her).
The film influenced other movies, like "Bandolero!" (1968), "Death Wish" (1974), and Sergio Leone's Eastwood trilogy (and Spaghetti Westerns in general), although Leone of course exchanged realistic characters for cartoony caricatures. The entire first act of "Bandolero!" was taken from this film, although it had an amusing edge while "The Bravados" is deadly serious from beginning to end, which is good (it IS very realistic); but this also makes it somewhat tedious and I can see why some people don't like it. While there's an enlightening twist at the end, "The Bravados" isn't up there with Peck's best Westerns, like "Duel in the Sun" (1946) and "The Big Country" (1958); and it's not as entertaining as "How the West was Won" (1962) or the comic booky "MacKenna's Gold" (1969), but it definitely superior to the somewhat tiresome "The Stalking Moon" (1968).
THE MOVIE RUNS 98 minutes and was shot entirely in Mexico. WRITERS: Philip Yordan (script) & Frank O'Rourke (novel). ADDITIONAL CAST: Herbert Rudley & Ken Scott play the Sheriff and Deputy while Andrew Duggan appears as the padre.
GRADE: B
ADDITIONAL COMMENTARY ***SPOILER ALERT*** (Don't read unless you've seen the film)
Douglas (Peck) did not mistakenly kill three honorable law-abiding citizens; after all, they were sentenced to execution for robbing a bank and murdering the teller. In fact, as a member of a lawfully organized posse he was legally authorized to slay them. The message is not that Douglas did the wrong thing, but rather that he did the right thing for the wrong reason based on naively trusting his neighbor's false information.
Yet another exceptional Gregory Peck Western
It's very odd that Gregory Peck is not often associated with Westerns--even though many of his best movies stand among the finest examples of the genre. Considering the number of Westerns he made, most of them were highly successful and entertaining. Remember, this is the same man who starred in THE BIG COUNTRY, THE GUNFIGHTER and YELLOW SKY--yet he is more commonly seen as an actor in contemporary dramas. THE BRAVADOS is yet another in a long string of hits, as it somehow manages to transcend a genre that often seems derivative.
In this film, Peck plays a complex character--neither a villain nor a hero. He has been on a relentless pursuit to kill the men who he is convinced killed his wife--and like Captain Ahab, he won't give up or consider and options other than their deaths. Along the way, he stumbles up a young and very beautiful Joan Collins--in one of her better screen roles.
I really don't want to tell you more, as it would spoil the plot, but rest assured it is masterfully made like other Peck Westerns and one not to be missed.
In this film, Peck plays a complex character--neither a villain nor a hero. He has been on a relentless pursuit to kill the men who he is convinced killed his wife--and like Captain Ahab, he won't give up or consider and options other than their deaths. Along the way, he stumbles up a young and very beautiful Joan Collins--in one of her better screen roles.
I really don't want to tell you more, as it would spoil the plot, but rest assured it is masterfully made like other Peck Westerns and one not to be missed.
- planktonrules
- Jul 5, 2007
- Permalink
A Grim Western
This movie begins with a cowboy named "Jim Douglas" (Gregory Peck) riding into the town of Rio Arriba to witness the hanging of 4 outlaws who he believes were responsible for the rape and murder of his wife 6 months earlier. Although he is treated with great suspicion the sheriff, "Eloy Sanchez" (Herbert Rudley) takes him to the jail to see each of the outlaws face to face. Right after that he encounters a woman named "Josefa Velarde" (Joan Collins) who he met 5 years earlier in New Orleans. Unfortunately, Josefa immediately realizes that Jim has changed quite a bit since then and not necessarily for the better. Not long afterward the 4 prisoners escape and Jim takes it upon himself to lead the posse in their efforts to track them down. Now, rather than reveal any more of the story and risk spoiling it for those who haven't seen it I will just say that this is a grim western which showcases the talents of Gregory Peck to the utmost. Definitely worth a look for those who enjoy a good western.
Fantastic Western
One of the best westerns ever made. Henry Silva had a great part, all the cast were terrific.
Justice cannot be made by a man alone
- esteban1747
- Sep 4, 2003
- Permalink
Peck at his best in good Western that raises moral questions
This is an interesting Western which, as is often the case in this genre, is a tale of revenge. This time, however, there are a few ironical twists. Under the solid hand of director Henry King, this film takes further the point made in OXBOW INCIDENT in 1943, about lynching.
In this case, you have the main character, Jim Douglas (Peck) seeking revenge for the rape and brutal murder of his wife. Peck, in one of his finest performances, portrays a generally balanced and good man driven somewhat over the edge by a desire for revenge. The four "baddies" are all played with considerable zest by Stephen Boyd, Henry Silva, Lee van Cleef and Salmi. The weakest part of the film is Joan Collins. Tough for me to understand why and how she got this role.
Silva, portraying an Indian, correctly identifies Douglas as a hunter. It is Douglas' sad failing that he gets the wrong culprits, and even more so that he thought the real rapist and murderer a good man, who would not hurt anyone.
Douglas ends the film with a tormented conscience for killing three men who were innocent of his charges, but he receives great applause from the local community, grateful to see the town rid of a gang of thieves. The irony of the situation is put across without any moralizing, which adds to the film's virtues.
There are a few unnecessary touches along the way, such as Boyd raping an abductee, but by and large it is a tightly told story, helped by very good cinematography.
In this case, you have the main character, Jim Douglas (Peck) seeking revenge for the rape and brutal murder of his wife. Peck, in one of his finest performances, portrays a generally balanced and good man driven somewhat over the edge by a desire for revenge. The four "baddies" are all played with considerable zest by Stephen Boyd, Henry Silva, Lee van Cleef and Salmi. The weakest part of the film is Joan Collins. Tough for me to understand why and how she got this role.
Silva, portraying an Indian, correctly identifies Douglas as a hunter. It is Douglas' sad failing that he gets the wrong culprits, and even more so that he thought the real rapist and murderer a good man, who would not hurt anyone.
Douglas ends the film with a tormented conscience for killing three men who were innocent of his charges, but he receives great applause from the local community, grateful to see the town rid of a gang of thieves. The irony of the situation is put across without any moralizing, which adds to the film's virtues.
There are a few unnecessary touches along the way, such as Boyd raping an abductee, but by and large it is a tightly told story, helped by very good cinematography.
- adrian-43767
- Aug 8, 2018
- Permalink
Revenge is Sweet and Sour
A man seeks vengeance against those who murdered his wife. This film has an unusual and interesting start and finish, but in between it's a standard revenge drama. Peck's character is in the same vein as those played by James Stewart and Randolph Scott in the Westerns made during the same decade by Anthony Mann and Budd Boetticher, respectively. Collins is given little to do other than look lovely, which she manages well. Boyd, Van Cleef, Salmi, and Silva are fine as the bad guys. While the landscape cinematography is beautiful, much of the film seems to be shot at dawn, with the washed out colors making it look almost like black and white. It is helped by a good score.
Justice denied
- lyonsdavid-58167
- Jun 1, 2019
- Permalink