Review of Lawman (1971) by Van R — 22 May 2012
British director Michael Winner helmed a genuine winner with "Lawman." This intelligent, complex horse opera about a fearless, career marshal who doesn't back down boasts a stellar cast including Burt Lancaster, Lee J.
Cobb, Robert Ryan, Robert Duvall, Albert Salmi, J.D. Cannon, and Ralph Waite. An old man dies catches a stray bullet in the town of Bannock during a rowdy, late-night celebration by drunken cattle drovers.
The owner of the herd, Vincent Bronson (Lee J. Cobb), learns about the death of the innocent bystander about eight months later from Sabbath Marshal Cotton Ryan. Bannock Marshal Jared Maddox rides into Sabbath and confronts Cotton about the matter with a list of names of the men that he is looking to take into custody.
Trouble ensues despite the fact that Bronson is willing to provide compensation. Maddox is the obdurate kind of man who doesn't take "no" for an answer. "Scorpio" scenarist Gerald Wilson doesn't pull any stops.
"Lawman" was one of Burt Lancaster's best roles in his latter years. The scenery is rugged and the characters are tough as leather. "Lawman" is a must-see for anybody who craves top-notch oaters.
This review of Lawman (1971) was written by Van R on 22 May 2012.
Lawman has generally received positive reviews.
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