Review of Big Jake (1971) by Zack B — 02 Feb 2012

64/100. Conflicting opinions on this John Wayne western, although it is slightly above average than most western films in the early seventies. Movie started off strong, including a very entertaining opening montage that highlighted life in 1909. The final shootout was one of Wayne's best in his later westerns, and I appreciated the bloody and dark tones that were missing in many of Duke's pictures. Middle part of the film drug on with less than inspiring performances by Patrick Wayne and Christopher Mitchum, although Boone played a nice villain. Lacked originality is comparison to other Wayne westerns: kidnap/rescue plot from The Searchers, dog as a partner like in Hondo, etc. Disappointed that O'Hara was in MIA after the first thirty minutes and the film ended too abruptly failing to resolve several issues such as the fate of Big Jake's son who was shot in the beginning.

Highlight of the film was when Wayne's real life son playing Little Jake first met Big Jake and asked if he was his grandpa.