Review of Big Jake (1971) by Monsieur R — 07 Sep 2010
Were it not for the Duke and Richard Boone, this would be my last choice to watch of the Wayne westerns. I watched this for the second time with about 10 years between and I didn't realize the fist fights Wayne started with his sons. The film gets really good at the end, unfortunately.
Plenty of shootouts, ambushes, threats and general violence to go around. The film tries to make a statement in the very beginning, showing a series of photos about the early 1900s and how technology was advancing. Well, Wayne is old school in terms of frontier justice methods, while everyone else is into cars and motorcycles and scope mounted rifles.
This film, save for Wayne and Boone, is borderline ridiculous. Wayne tries to save a kidnapped son who he has never seen. His estranged wife, O'Hara, has tons of money, so much so she is willing to part with a million of it no problem. Folks, this is the turn of last century! Figure 20 million in today's dollars!
The film has tons of comic relief, so it might be one of the few comedy-westerns of filmography. I know it is heresy to speak ill of a Duke film, but BatJac productions got away from the proven Wayne formula movie with this charade. Beautifully shot in rugged country.
If this was intended to be a light Western, even a comedy set in the West, it achieved its purpose. Recommended for Wayne and Maureen O'Hara fans, a reunion from the old The Queit Man film.
This review of Big Jake (1971) was written by Monsieur R on 07 Sep 2010.
Big Jake has generally received positive reviews.
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