Review of The Hallelujah Trail (1965) by Kenneth D — 19 Jan 2008

This comedy Western is way overlong and over-laboured, but good-natured and contains some genuinely funny moments. Some sequences are far too long and indulgently edited and some jokes could have done with a sharper finish: the sandstorm episode, for example, has moments of hilarity ("defend both rears - simultaneously!") amidst a great deal of not-altogether-deliberate confusion. Be warned also that the depiction of the Indians is incredibly politically incorrect - although in such an absurd way, it's almost endearingly innocent.

Burt Lancaster (looking fine as ever!) has fun as the put-upon Colonel, and Lee Remick matches him perfectly as the fiery temperance lady: their scenes together work well. Martin Landau gets going halfway through with his amusingly unPC act. Of note also is the music - especially the catchy theme song!

Overall, it's not a bad way to spend a couple of hours, and the good-natured feel saves the film from being a flop ... But the premise, the cast and the production in general had potential for a lot more!