Review of The Klansman (1974) by Jack Y — 30 Jul 2007

There are big names here, from Young to Marvin and Burton, and even Paluzzi with a southern accent. The white community may find the sight of O. J. Simpson (sans Manolo Blahniks) as a cold-hearted killer somewhat poetic.

But this is a patchy drama that had the potential to be so much more. Word has it that Paramount tinkered with the script so much the writer buggered off and wanted nothing more to do with it. Lee Marvin wanted to do the same but the studio waved his signed contract in front of his face.

And the tinkering shows—badly—and even the score seems to creep up at the most unexpected times. One of Terence Young’s worst, and that’s a pity.