Review of The Bravados (1958) by Ashley H — 22 Aug 2007

[i]The Bravados[/i] can be considered one of Gregory Peck's best westerns. He was one of the few actors that excelled in this genre. This is a film about revenge, Peck going after the men he thought raped and killed his wife.

The film has somber mood in direct contrast with the beautiful colors, Cinemascope, the pretty Joan Collins, everything looking great. I saw this film recently and how much I liked it and I was impressed with the precise pace the story is told and how violent it was.

But what did not reach me and still does not reach me today is Gregory Peck's wrongdoings. To me he was the hero until the film ends. The cinematography does not blend with ugly feelings? Or Gregory Peck looks so much like a hero in this film that it overshadows his terrible mistakes? Henry King made Jesse James in beautiful color and more as a legend than an human being.

That was his style. That was what the public wanted. If he had made out of Peck an ugly human being I don't think I would have liked the film.