Review of Chisum (1970) by Monsieur R — 16 Dec 2010

Worth watching one time or more, depending on how much you like the Duke, this Wayne produced film is one of many made by Wayne when he was riding high in Westerns. Loosely based on events and characters from the Lincoln County War of 1878 in New Mexico Territory, which involved Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid among others.

While not the most memorable of films, the editing got a little rough at times for me. Wayne is the MAN, a wealthy cattle rancher and that's about most of the film. Forrest Tucker is the problem for Wayne in this one as they fight, literally one on one as Tucker buys up the town.

A good trip down 60-70's western nostalgia filming technique, it was no Stagecoach or rival to great cinema.

Maybe it wasn't trying to be. Michael A. Wayne, executive producer felt the story summed up his father's political views. The sizeable cast has familiar faces from earlier John Wayne films, as well as friends such as Forrest Tucker.

* Two sons of Robert Mitchum are in the cast.

** In 1986, Chisum's composer Frontiere was in jail for nine months in a federal penitentiary for scalping tickets to the 1980 Super Bowl, which he obtained through his then-wife, Los Angeles Rams owner Georgia Frontiere. They divorced after his release from prison.

*** Chisum's cinematographer Clothier was nominated for two Academy Awards for Best Cinematography for The Alamo (1960) and Cheyenne Autumn (1964).

**** John Wayne was making Chisum when he heard of his nomination for an Academy Award in 1970 for True Grit.

Directed by Andrew V. McLaglen (veteran TV, movie and frequent Wayne favorite as a director).

Produced by Andrew J. Fenady.

Written by Andrew J. Fenady.

Narrated by William Conrad (1971-6 star in tv's "Cannon").

Starring.

John Wayne - John Chisum ***.

Forrest Tucker - Lawrence Murphy.

Ben Johnson - James Pepper, Chisum's sidekick.

Patric Knowles - Henry Tunstall (based on John Tunstall).

Geoffrey Deuel - Billy The Kid.

Pamela McMyler - Sallie Chisum.

Glenn Corbett - Pat Garrett.

Andrew Prine - Alexander McSween.

Christopher George - Dan Nodeen.

Bruce Cabot - Sheriff Brady.

Richard Jaeckel - Jess Evans, Murphy's lead henchman.

Lynda Day - Sue McSween.

Robert Donner - Morton (deputy sheriff).

John Mitchum - Baker (deputy sheriff) *.

John Agar - Amos Patton, a shopkeeper ousted by Murphy.

Gregg Palmer - Karl Riker.

John M. Pickard - Sergeant Braddock.

Christopher Mitchum - Tom O'Folliard *.

Music by Dominic Frontiere **.

Cinematography William H. Clothier ***.

Editing by Robert L. Simpson.

Studio Batjac Productions (Wayne started this company).

Distributed by Warner Bros.

Release date(s) June 24, 1970.

Running time 111 min.