Description

Three cowpokes band together with a feisty widow to recover a cache of stolen gold. John Wayne meets Ann Margret and you'll keep guessing who meets whose match! Year: 1973 Director: Burt Kennedy Starring:John Wayne, Ann-Margret, Rod Taylor ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A Late Duke entry
The Train Robbers is a late film of the Duke's, but it is still an entertaining film. Directed by Burt Kennedy, the story follows a widow who hires Wayne to escort her to a cache of hidden gold that belongs to her recently deceased husband. Joining Wayne are a couple of old friends who come along. There are not any identifiable bad guys except for a nameless group of gunman making their own go at the gold. This is not a great John Wayne western, but it is not the worst. Still very entertaining.

Joining Wayne are Ann Margaret, Rod Taylor, Ben Johnson, and even Ricardo Montalban in a small but funny role. Taylor and Johnson are great together with plenty of laughs between them throughout the movie. Even though this may not be the best Duke western ever, it still deserves a DVD release like so many other of his movies that have been released recently. This is a good western that deserves a watch if for nothing else than the twist at the end. Very entertaining!

Wayne light!
One of the later Wayne westerns is pretty thin on action and excitement.It's from the time where they more or less stopped making westerns - until the revival with Kasdan's "Silverado". This one is really clinging to a straw.

Standard late Duke fare....
This was by no means a Duke classic, but standard fare for his later westerns. It was about a group of men helping a widow recover hidden gold she was told about by her late husband. Hot on their trail are 20 bad guys after the loot. A real twist ending and some great explosions and outstanding scenic backdrop. Too bad this is not avail in widescreen. The Duke in his standard tough as nails ex-cavalry role. It's not as bad as it's reputation but I think it could have been better if they gave the bad guys some characterization and persona. But instead they are just shown as 20 faceless riders every now and again. No speaking roles in the whole lot. Better than Rio Lobo but not as good as Chisum, The Shootist or The Cowboys. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Burt Kennedy wrote several of the finest Westerns ever for director BuddBoetticher in the late '50s--marvels of austere, subtle storytelling. Yet on hisown, writer-director Kennedy tended to very broad comedy-Westerns. TheRounders, based on a novel by Max Evans, falls somewhere between SupportYour Local Sheriff (high) and Dirty Dingus Magee (low). Glenn Fordand Henry Fonda play two bronc busters in the pickup-driving West who, by theirown admission, "ain't exactly the smartest cowboys that ever lived." Somehowthey always end up owing rancher Jim Ed Love (Chill Wills) one more year ofindentured servitude. The year we observe is dominated by a purely diabolicalroan and capped by a randy brush with two showgirls (Sue Ane Langdon and HopeHoliday) who play "Dumber" to Ford and Fonda's "Dumb."It's all very amiableand unassuming, but the toot-plunk-whistle-boom soundtrack--to signal "This isthe funny part"--is sheer torture. --Richard T. Jameson ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Charming cowboy comedy
Henry Fonda and Glenn Ford co-star as a pair of almost-over-the-hill cowpunchers whose love of the free life, and plain lack of horse sense, have kept them pinned to the same lousy job year after years, and also from settling down with any of the gals that moon over them when they come down from the hills long enough to spend their dough. These guys are loveable foul-ups, roustabouts who haven't quite figured out how to get ahead, but sure like doing things the hard way. Plenty of light comedy (including some of the most charming early '60s sexist jokes you're ever likely to see) and a funny love-hate relationship between Ford and the one horse he simply cannot break. It's nice to see Ford and Fonda play characters who just ain't that bright, each in their own typical understated style. Cute film -- recommended!

They sure don't make 'em like they used to...do they?
The inspired, superb teaming of Glenn Ford and Henry Fonda help raise this laid back film from almost certain obscurity. Based on the novel by Max Evans 'The Rounders' emerged as a sleeper hit when released in '65 and after all this time continues to defy the odds and remain a real audience pleaser today. Told with all too rare simplicity and filmed on alternately stark locations and colorful vistas, screenwriter and director Burt Kennedy crafts another one of his long series of winning films. Ford and Fonda play the aging bronc-busters (or 'cowboys with their brains kicked out' as Ford says) Ben Jones and Howdy Lewis just trying to earn enough money for a boat so they can live on the ocean...or a desert isle...or...well anywhere "where there ain't no grass and there ain't no horses!" as Ben firmly explains it to Howdy. Two factors stand in the way of their dreams: working for a stingy rancher who tries to pinch the duo for what he can and their own penchant for wasting every dime they earn in a matter of days when they make the annual journey into Sedona.

As the movie opens it is early autumn; Ben and Howdy reluctantly accept work from Jim Ed Love, a rancher they both love to hate. Part of their duties includes attempting to tame a furious and ornery young mustang properly named "Ol' Fooler". The horse quickly becomes their arch nemesis as it continually defies their attempts at bronc-busting; wily old veterans they refuse to be done-in by the stubborn animal and will eventually talk Love into letting them keep it as part of their pay. Ben and Howdy brainstorm that they can make a mint and leave their hard-luck days behind at the annual rodeo in Sedona by betting that no one can ride their varmint of a horse for longer than eight seconds. The plan goes fairly well but they encounter an unexpected twist of events that threatens to ruin the guys' enterprise and sink their dreams fast.

It shouldn't amount to much - but it does. One of the very best supporting casts ever assembled helps out tremendously providing endless appeal and colorful characterizations. Chill Wills, Edgar Buchanan, and both Kathleen & Joan Freeman show up as the story progresses and have fairly expanded roles. Barton MacLane, Denver Pyle and Doodles Weaver appear in cameo roles that seem tailored perfectly to their talents. An uncredited Warren Oates plays a bumbling gun-crazy wrangler that runs afoul of Jones and Lewis. The best surprise of all though is Sue Ann Langdon and Hope Holiday as two attractive and voluptuous ladies that Ben and Howdy happen upon when they make the late spring journey into Sedona. This sequence of the film supplies us with it's funniest and most memorable moments.

Made at a time when films could be both sparse of activity and routinely but unabashedly sentimental 'The Rounders' is living proof that comedies don't have to be big, bold and brassy to be enjoyed. For a refreshing change of pace and an opportunity to see Ford and Fonda at their most likeable I heartily recommend you set aside some time for this flick.

A not much of a movie plot
THE ROUNDERS is a not much of a movie plot. It's just a good movie. Unlike those wonderful B Westerns from the 1930s, these cowboys--Glenn Ford and Henry Fonda--got to drink hard "hotch" and also kiss the girls as well as the horse. It is a film that defines great countryside, solid friendship, how dreams keep yuh going, how great a movie can be without much of a plot, and how yuh learn to love your enemy. In this case, the enemy is that cagey Roan roping, bucking horse that slo-witted Ford tried his dangdest to break and couldn't. He wants to run down the horse with a pickup, shoot it,send it to the glue factory [soap product in this case] or sell it to some sucker willing to buy it. In the end bronco-busters Ford and Fonda don't bust the cantankerous Roan, but they prove that you can make an endearing story into a movie without getting maudlin about it. Three CHEERS and a DOZEN YIPPEES for this film.

loved it
This is a great old favorite of mine, all the stars, good story. If you liked City Slickers, give this a shot.

Totally Southwest Cowboy
I have sat and watched this movie several times and I've enjoyed it more each time. Ford and Fonda are a great cowboy team. With the spectacular scenery of Sedona and surrounding Arizona territory, this makes for a superb afternoon at the movies. ... Read more

Amazon.com

John Wayne and Kirk Douglas make a delightful duo in this comedic Western in which Wayne seeks revenge on a ruthless mine owner (Bruce Cabot) who had him framed and sent to prison. Upon his release, Wayne recruits Douglas in a scheme to raid and rob one of Cabot's gold-laden wagons, despite the fact that Douglas had been offered good money to kill Wayne. He joins Wayne instead (the potential profits being much greater), and they set out to ambush the War Wagon, so named because it's heavily armored, mounted with a Gatling gun, and guarded by a dozen gunmen on horses. Costarring Keenan Wynn and Howard Keel as a wise-cracking Indian, The War Wagon was a Western precursor to the action buddy films of the 1980s and '90s, serving up plenty of exciting action and constant comic relief. The interplay between Wayne and Douglas is sharp and sarcastic, and their motley crew of accomplices provides yet another source of character-driven humor. Not one of the greatest Westerns ever made, but certainly one of the most lightly entertaining. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Mission Impossible in the Old West.
Gunfighter Taw Jackson (John Wayne) recruits a motley crew of sidekicks to rob ruthless mine owner, Frank Pierce (Bruce Cabot). Pierce routinely transports a fortune in gold dust in an armored stagecoach called "The War Wagon." Complete with a small army of guards and a Gatling gun, The War Wagon is formidable. Taw figures to settle old scores by devising a complex plan to steal the gold. John Wayne was good at big budget B pictures. This flick is very different from a John Ford masterpiece, but so what? This movie is a typical Batjac action-adventure flick with comic overtones. Wayne trades verbal barbs with Lomax (Kirk Douglas), a too-cool hired gun. Howard Keel is Levi Walking Bear, a comic and politically incorrect Indian. Robert Walker is a drunken explosives expert. Keenan Wynn is a sadistic teamster. They each play a role in the carefully timed execution of the robbery. Unaware of their thieving alliance, Pierce hires Lomax to kill Taw, setting up several tense situations. The supporting cast includes members of Wayne's Batjac production company family. Look for Bruce Dern, Gene Evans, and Sheb Wooley in small roles. Throw in colorful outdoor locations, a saloon brawl, lots of hard-riding action, and it's great fun for Western movie fans. It's well worth the price. ;-)

A Good Shoot'em Up Western
Taw Jackson, played by John Wayne, is out on parole and building a team to heist a shipment of Gold dust. The problem is, the town where he's planning his heist is filled with his worst enemies. Kirk Douglas as Lomax, is one of Taw's partners. Together they study to work out every detail to commit their crime. All they got to do now is do the deed. Will they make it? Lots of fancy gun slinging, fighting, and a really neat Saloon fight add to the flavor of this movie. Oh, and you gotta see the way Kirk Douglas mounts his horse, it's Peachy! One of the most suspenseful scenes is where Taw and another of his cohort's line a bridge they plan to blow up with nitroglycerin. Also, look for a very short role by Bruce Dern . He, as he has in most films, plays a bad guy, and when he's confronted by Taw Jackson he quickly learns what "BAD" really is.

It's like "Oceans Eleven" in the West
This is a movie about revenge. It's about the quest of one man, Taw Jackson (Wayne), to get even with the man who set him up and stole his ranch. To get his vengeance, Taw puts together a small group of men, including a gunfighter who's been hired to kill him (Douglas), to help him rob the "War Wagon," so named because it is an iron stagecoach complete with a gattling gun and a large complement of mounted guards. The five men scheme, plan, and concoct a plan to steal the wagon, and Taw and Lomax (Douglas) try to refrain from killing each other in the process.

This is not meant to be a completely serious Western, and in fact it is quite lighthearted. It is also funny, with just enough comic relief to keep things lively. Douglas and Wayne are absolutely fabulous together, and the rest of the cast works well too. This is a great all-around Western.

Entertaining comedy western
The War Wagon is a good comedy western starring John Wayne and Kirk Douglass as two men attempting to steal a shipment of gold. Wayne stars as Taw Jackson, a man recently released from prison after being framed, who wants to get revenge on the man who put him in jail(Bruce Cabot). Kirk Douglass is Lomax, Wayne's greedy, cocky partner. These two are perfect together as they try and figure out how to rob the "war wagon." Their dialogue is sharp and cutting with insults being handed back and forth.

The movie is very entertaining to watch. Excellent cast backing up Wayne and Douglass including Howard Keel as Levi Walking Bear. There is enough action and humor for everybody in this western. DVD presentation is good in widescreen with a trailer included even though it is a little pricey. Well worth it for Duke fans!

A get even movie
well it's a good movie some light humor a get even type movie.Enjoyable intertianing but you've to know one thing I
am a big JOHN WAYNE FAN. ... Read more

Reviews (33)

Taming the Wild West
James Garner stars as Jason McCullough in this hilarious Western spoof. This was the era of John Wayne westerns, and this movie came about at just about the right time to make fun of the western and what it had become, often scarcely more than a cookie-cutter production with a predictable plot, scowling gunfighters, and the same basic storyline. McCullough is a wandering frontiersman on his way to Australia, and happens upon a small mining town which has sprung up overnight and become too big for its laws. He decides to earn a little extra money before moving on, and takes a job as the sheriff of the town. Consequently he's forced to deal with the Danby bunch, a rancher family who's swindling and intimidating the mine owners. Between dealing with the Danbys (headed by the very funny Walter Brennan), trying to keep his prisoners in a jail with no bars, and fighting off the advances of the hapless mayor's daughter, McCullough has his hands full.

Garner is great in his role as the opportunistic, but effective, sheriff. Jack Elam co-stars as his deputy, and the antics of this pair are enough to keep anyone entertained throughout the movie. Anyone familiar with Westerns from this era will appreciate the humor of this parody on Hollywood's Wild West.

Support Your Local Sherrif
This is one of those old comedies that you can watch over and over again. My family has worn out a VHS copy, so I'm happy that a DVD release is coming up. This movie not only stars James Garner, but several other popular actors from the 60's & 70's. Walter Brennan, Harry Morgan, and Jack Elam to name a few. When Jason McColough, played by Garner, rides into town, he finds it right smack in the middle of a gold rush- and right smack in the middle of the problems that too much too soon can bring. There is fighting in the streets, gunmen shooting up the town, not to mention the revelry going on at Madam Orr's place. Needing work to finiance his gold prospecting Garner accepts the job of sherrif. The Mayor (Morgan) happens to have a pretty but accident prone daughter. Her misadventures while trying to attract the new sherrif's attention add great comedy to the plot. The sherrif's work is cut out for him when the Danby's led by pa Danby (Brennan) try to spring the youngest Danby from jail. He makes the town drunk (Played by Elam) his deputy and from there things just get funnier. When the dust settles everyone is alive and happy. Not the most complicated plot ever written, but light comedy is not supposed to be. Easy and fun to watch.

"JUST ON MY WAY TO AUSTRALIA"
IS THERE ANY THING FUNNIER THAN A STRAIGHT FACED MAN SPEWING OUT HUMOR? AND JAMES GARNER HAS A TREMENDOUS GIFT FOR BEING HILARIOUS
AND YET DOING IT IN A SEEMINGLY EFFORTLESS WAY.
BEFORE 'RAISING ARIZONA' OR 'OH BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU?' THIS LITTLE PICTURE BROKE GROUND WITH DRY, OFF BEAT AND SOMETIMES CYNICAL COMEDY.

GARNER PLAYS THE ANTI HERO TO THE HILT. HE IS A SIMPLE MAN WHO IS BASICLY "JUST ON HIS WAY TO AUSTRALIA." HE FINDS HIMSELF IN A QUIRKY 'GOLD STRIKE' TOWN THAT IS DESPERATELY IN NEED OF A SHERIFF.
HIS QUALIFICATIONS "FIT THE JOB PERFECTLY" AND THE BASIC PLOT IS SET.
GARNER IS SUPERBLY SUPPORTED BY VETERAN CHARACTER ACTORS LIKE JACK ELAM, BRUCE DERN AND A HOST OF WELL KNOWN OTHERS.

THE WONDERFULLY WRITTEN DIALOGUE IS THE ABSOLUTE STAR OF THE SHOW WITH NUMEROUS MEMORABLE LINES THROUGHOUT THE PICTURE.
WHEN THE SPINELESS MAYOR SHOWS GARNER HIS HOME HE MENTIONS HIS 'DEAR DEPARTED WIFE' TO WHICH GARNER SAYS "YOUR WIFE DIED HUH?" AND THE MAYOR RESPONDS "NO....JUST DEPARTED."

THE SIDESPLITTING SCENES ARE REALLY TOO NUMEROUS TO MENTION AS THERE ARE SO MANY STAND OUTS.

THIS MAY WELL BE THE BEST FAMILY COMEDIC WESTERN PIECE DONE TO DATE. RIVAL FILMS LIKE 'BLAZING SADDLES' WITH THEIR PROFANE ENUENDOS
PALE TERRIBLY IN COMPARISON TO THIS EFFORT.

THIS IS ONE YOU CAN WATCH REPEATEDLY AND LAUGH JUST AS LOUD EACH TIME.

My 2nd favorite Garner movie of all time
Boy this was hard, ranking my Favorite James Garner movies. It came down to the two Support your... movies. I had to go with the one that had the sidewinder, Susan Plesette and the X-Rifleman and Cub second baseman Swifty Morgan.

SYLSheriff came in second because he was just passin thru on his way to australia anyway.

The top of the genre
Still boyish at 41, Garner here brings a variation of his Bret Maverick character (then almost a decade in rerun-land) to the big screen and in the process spoofs almost every convention of the serious Western. As the unassuming, pragmatic, and mildly larcenous Jason McCullough, who's "basically...on my way to Australia" when he decides to pick up a little travelling money by taking on the job of taming the mining town of Calender, he proves to be rather more than he seems--and, in the process, shows once again why he was cast in so many comedies during his long career. Playing his part almost dead straight and supported by an excellent cast, he makes Jason seem like a hero even though that's the last thing Jason wants to be. In the process everyone sends up everything from "High Noon" to "Rio Bravo" and makes it all seem effortless and plausible. A movie that defines "comedy-Western" and one all audiences should enjoy. ... Read more

Reviews (33)

Taming the Wild West
James Garner stars as Jason McCullough in this hilarious Western spoof. This was the era of John Wayne westerns, and this movie came about at just about the right time to make fun of the western and what it had become, often scarcely more than a cookie-cutter production with a predictable plot, scowling gunfighters, and the same basic storyline. McCullough is a wandering frontiersman on his way to Australia, and happens upon a small mining town which has sprung up overnight and become too big for its laws. He decides to earn a little extra money before moving on, and takes a job as the sheriff of the town. Consequently he's forced to deal with the Danby bunch, a rancher family who's swindling and intimidating the mine owners. Between dealing with the Danbys (headed by the very funny Walter Brennan), trying to keep his prisoners in a jail with no bars, and fighting off the advances of the hapless mayor's daughter, McCullough has his hands full.

Garner is great in his role as the opportunistic, but effective, sheriff. Jack Elam co-stars as his deputy, and the antics of this pair are enough to keep anyone entertained throughout the movie. Anyone familiar with Westerns from this era will appreciate the humor of this parody on Hollywood's Wild West.

Support Your Local Sherrif
This is one of those old comedies that you can watch over and over again. My family has worn out a VHS copy, so I'm happy that a DVD release is coming up. This movie not only stars James Garner, but several other popular actors from the 60's & 70's. Walter Brennan, Harry Morgan, and Jack Elam to name a few. When Jason McColough, played by Garner, rides into town, he finds it right smack in the middle of a gold rush- and right smack in the middle of the problems that too much too soon can bring. There is fighting in the streets, gunmen shooting up the town, not to mention the revelry going on at Madam Orr's place. Needing work to finiance his gold prospecting Garner accepts the job of sherrif. The Mayor (Morgan) happens to have a pretty but accident prone daughter. Her misadventures while trying to attract the new sherrif's attention add great comedy to the plot. The sherrif's work is cut out for him when the Danby's led by pa Danby (Brennan) try to spring the youngest Danby from jail. He makes the town drunk (Played by Elam) his deputy and from there things just get funnier. When the dust settles everyone is alive and happy. Not the most complicated plot ever written, but light comedy is not supposed to be. Easy and fun to watch.

"JUST ON MY WAY TO AUSTRALIA"
IS THERE ANY THING FUNNIER THAN A STRAIGHT FACED MAN SPEWING OUT HUMOR? AND JAMES GARNER HAS A TREMENDOUS GIFT FOR BEING HILARIOUS
AND YET DOING IT IN A SEEMINGLY EFFORTLESS WAY.
BEFORE 'RAISING ARIZONA' OR 'OH BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU?' THIS LITTLE PICTURE BROKE GROUND WITH DRY, OFF BEAT AND SOMETIMES CYNICAL COMEDY.

GARNER PLAYS THE ANTI HERO TO THE HILT. HE IS A SIMPLE MAN WHO IS BASICLY "JUST ON HIS WAY TO AUSTRALIA." HE FINDS HIMSELF IN A QUIRKY 'GOLD STRIKE' TOWN THAT IS DESPERATELY IN NEED OF A SHERIFF.
HIS QUALIFICATIONS "FIT THE JOB PERFECTLY" AND THE BASIC PLOT IS SET.
GARNER IS SUPERBLY SUPPORTED BY VETERAN CHARACTER ACTORS LIKE JACK ELAM, BRUCE DERN AND A HOST OF WELL KNOWN OTHERS.

THE WONDERFULLY WRITTEN DIALOGUE IS THE ABSOLUTE STAR OF THE SHOW WITH NUMEROUS MEMORABLE LINES THROUGHOUT THE PICTURE.
WHEN THE SPINELESS MAYOR SHOWS GARNER HIS HOME HE MENTIONS HIS 'DEAR DEPARTED WIFE' TO WHICH GARNER SAYS "YOUR WIFE DIED HUH?" AND THE MAYOR RESPONDS "NO....JUST DEPARTED."

THE SIDESPLITTING SCENES ARE REALLY TOO NUMEROUS TO MENTION AS THERE ARE SO MANY STAND OUTS.

THIS MAY WELL BE THE BEST FAMILY COMEDIC WESTERN PIECE DONE TO DATE. RIVAL FILMS LIKE 'BLAZING SADDLES' WITH THEIR PROFANE ENUENDOS
PALE TERRIBLY IN COMPARISON TO THIS EFFORT.

THIS IS ONE YOU CAN WATCH REPEATEDLY AND LAUGH JUST AS LOUD EACH TIME.

My 2nd favorite Garner movie of all time
Boy this was hard, ranking my Favorite James Garner movies. It came down to the two Support your... movies. I had to go with the one that had the sidewinder, Susan Plesette and the X-Rifleman and Cub second baseman Swifty Morgan.

SYLSheriff came in second because he was just passin thru on his way to australia anyway.

The top of the genre
Still boyish at 41, Garner here brings a variation of his Bret Maverick character (then almost a decade in rerun-land) to the big screen and in the process spoofs almost every convention of the serious Western. As the unassuming, pragmatic, and mildly larcenous Jason McCullough, who's "basically...on my way to Australia" when he decides to pick up a little travelling money by taking on the job of taming the mining town of Calender, he proves to be rather more than he seems--and, in the process, shows once again why he was cast in so many comedies during his long career. Playing his part almost dead straight and supported by an excellent cast, he makes Jason seem like a hero even though that's the last thing Jason wants to be. In the process everyone sends up everything from "High Noon" to "Rio Bravo" and makes it all seem effortless and plausible. A movie that defines "comedy-Western" and one all audiences should enjoy. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This episode is a must-own for The Wild, Wild West fans as well as TV buffs who collect pilot shows. Robert Conrad stars as West, James West, a frontier 007, and according to President Grant (James Gregory), "the finest underground intelligence officer we have." Posing as "the dandiest dude that ever crossed the Mississippi," he embarks on his first assignment: to find Juan Manolo, a madman bent on starting a revolution ("The whole world will know my name!"). Suzanne Pleshette also stars as Lydia, an old flame who still burns hot. "I waited on that hard bed alone for eight hours until the police came," she provocatively scolds West upon their reunion. The late, great Victor Buono (King Tut on Batman) also appears as the inscrutable Wing Fat ("Would you care for a pipe?" he offers. "It is filled with joy"). Ross Martin costars as master of disguise Artemus Gordon, who also provides West with his gadgets, such as a pool cue that doubles as a gun barrel, a breakaway Derringer West that can hide in his boot heels, and a belt buckle that dispenses bullets. This episode was directed by Richard Sarafian, whose estimable credits include Gunsmoke, The Twilight Zone, I Spy, and Batman. This program is also available in a three-volume boxed set.--Donald Liebenson ... Read more

Reviews (4)

The pilot episode of the James Bond of Westerns
"The Night of the Inferno," the pilot episode of "The Wild Wild West," establishes the formula for the television series created by Michael Garrison about the James Bond of the Old West that ran on CBS from September 17, 1965 until September 7, 1970. But while the formula is tried and true, adapting the super spy formula of exotic villains and grandiose plans to rule a significant portion of the American West, the tone of the series is not yet to be established. This is clear as soon as we meet our heroes "James" West (Robert Conrad) and "Artemus" Gordon (Ross Martin).

The pilot starts off with a great hook as condemned prisoner James T. West is dragged to a railroad train in the middle of the night--where he finds President Ulysses S. Grant (James Gregory), who is providing cover for his top undercover agent. Given the cover identity of a rich Eastern dandy with his own private train, Grant sends West out on his first mission to stop the power mad Mexican Juan Manolo who plans to be number one in the whole world. When West and Gordon arrive in Quemada, they find not only the crazy general (Nehemiah Persoff) and his little army but an inscrutable Chinese merchant, Wing Fat (Victor Buono) and one of West's old flames, Lydia Monteran (Suzanne Pleshette). Of course the lady starts shooting at West about a minute after she sees him, but that is to be expected.

Actually, all things considered this is a very decent pilot, which was written by Gilbert Ralston. The camera does spend a lot of time watching West load up on guns and gadgets before heading off to Quemada, but of course each and every one of those toys is going to pay off during the course of the episode. At one point the story is going pretty much right by the numbers, but that is just a set up for some really nice twists at the end. My biggest complaint (besides the fact Grant is rather skinny) is that the character of Gordon is really wasted in this first episode. Fans of the series will immediately recognize Artie's first appearance in the story, but the revelation that he is West's sidekick is tossed off in a meaningless gesture (however, he does turn out to be a mean shot in his own right). Juan Manolo is no Dr. Miguelito Loveless, but then who is?

Final Note: You might be surprsied by the differences in the title cartoon sequence (no hitting ladies this early in the game) and the order the end shots of each act replace the original frozen cartoon images. This still remains the coolest way of going to a station break in television history.

The Wild Wild's Best
Great movie, if you like black and white films. I thought it was good, and I would definitely recommend it. It was one of the "better" episodes, and I enjoyed it. Even though the show is old, it doesn't affect the quality of the tapes. In fact, everything is perfect. There was nothing wrong with mine, no fuzziness or tracking problems at all. The picture was clear as a bell, and even the little paper slip cases hold up well, so it isn't cheap. Great story, great "surprise" ending, and it is not a waste of money, even though the movie is only an hour long. I can guarantee you at least one night of good viewing...I've watched my copy at least ten times since I bought it. It is a little cheesy (in the best possible since), but so are all old movies. I would encourage you to buy it, because you will get your money's worth. I would talk more about how great the plot is, but you'll have to see that for yourself :)

An Enjoyable "WWW" Reunion
Though a bit too campy in spots, "Wild Wild West Revisited" (1979) recaptured some of the imaginative spirit of the original series. Since Robert Conrad and Ross Martin were older, it was impossible to continue in the same vein as the 1965-69 show. Still, it's great seeing James West and Artemus Gordon together again -- and the TV movie has a big-budget feel with its use of Arizona locations. "Wild Wild West Revisited" is nostalgic fun, but cannot hold a candle to the original show.

The first night of James West
What I like the most in this episode is the taut opening scene with prisoner James T. West and Arte playing the drunk military. The villains are outrageously flamboyant : pre-"Count Manzeppi" Victor Buono as Wing Fat and Nehemia Persoff as vicious sadistic Juane Manolo. Suzanne Pleshette as Lydia Monteran with her gun mania is gorgeous. James Gregory as authoritative President Grant is just fine for his single part in the entire series. He recaptures the feeling of the old west much better than Roy Engel. The dialogues are smart and sophisticated, for instance, when Colonel Shear says : "the dandiest dude that ever crossed the Mississippi in his private railroad car." The James West's gadgets ritual (especially, the close-up of the sleeve-gun) in the train is a pure delight. Thanks to Frank Phillips' only cameraworks, the black and white mood is extraordinary. The jazz/western music composed and conducted by Richard Markowitz is top-notch and everybody know the main theme by heart. Above all, the trade mark of the show, I mean the freeze frame which turns into a rough sketch. In this episode, there is one incoherent detail about the change of Jim West's costume when he goes to Quemada. But who cares ? The pilot episode, directed, like a movie, by Richard Sarafian, that I can watch over and over and forever : I'm a devotee. I hope they will release the music very soon. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Under-rated comedy full of inuendo
This movie was made as a comedic sexual comedy at a time when such things were really pretty tame by todays standards. The script is mediocre but the cast is great. The is a wild western that is safe for most audiences, but not quite family friendly due to the sexual inuendo. It Sells for a pretty price even used due to rarity.

Worth a look....
Although there is not a lot going for Sinatra in this western spoof, Jack Elam makes it worth a look. Elam was one of the all-time great character actors that can make even the worst spoof funny....case in point, Dirty Dingus Magee.

Unbelievably Awful
Sinatra and Kennedy should have had their hairpieces examined in accepting one of the unfunniest western comedies of all-time. No chemistry exists between the two, all the women in this film are oversexed, and the Native Americans should picket MGM/UA for the treatment they receive here. Get past the constant cursing and sexual innuendo, and you have a ninety minute bore. The hyperactively cute musical score will make you search for your revolver to put this video out of your misery. Awful. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A Wilder West
This video should still be available for all of us Wild Wild West and Robert Conrad fans out there. How anyone could think this was a terrible movie is beyond me. Of course, it was campy and the jokes were silly but such was the case in the popular show of the 60s. The video should be available if for no other reason than to see Conrad and Martin together again. What charisma they had... and so much better than the horrible motion picture rip off with Will Smith. That was a disaster! This reunion movie is a treasure and a remembrance of an earlier, simpler time when great actors like Conrad and Martin ruled the TV screens. It gets five stars for the actors and a five simply because it is Wild Wild West. Who cares if its a bit campy - some people are just too critical and take everything too seriously - you need to sit back, relax and let go for a while! Sometimes, things are meant just to be "fun." Any hope of this ever being re-released? I'd sure like a copy of this video. Thanks!

A Disappointing "West"
"More Wild Wild West" (1980) lacked the imaginative qualities that made the TV series so memorable. Spoofing this classic show was a big mistake, which director Burt Kennedy never seemed to grasp. Once again, it's great seeing Robert Conrad and Ross Martin reprise their famous roles, but the script is silly and this TV movie plays everything for laughs. However, Jonathan Winters does make an interesting villain. Overall, a missed opportunity.

How the West Was Lost - Part 2
The dreadful "Wild, Wild West Revisited" (1978) garnered great ratings, no doubt because fans of the original show turned in to see their old pals, West and Gordon, pull off another old West espionage caper. But that ill-fated reunion movie was a campy misinterpretation of the original show. Think mid-1960s, but think "Batman," not "Wild, Wild West." Hollywood interpreted the nostalgia for the old series that still generated ratings 15 years later as a referendum for the new format. The result: Jonathan Winters as a mad scientist who, having turned himself invisible, threatens to provoke a world war by playing mischievous pranks on diplomats who will blame them on their colleagues from other nations. Winters might have actually been a more threatening villain if he had portrayed his hillbilly Maude Frickert personna of old. He plays the scientist so broadly that it would have been rejected as a disembodied voice on a low-budget Hanna-Barbera cartoon. Like West and Gordon, he constantly cracks jokes that lampoon the story and characters of the movie. Unfortunately West and Gordon are the butt of many jokes, as was the case in the last ill-fated reunion romp, including an idiotic scene in which they flee on zebras. The zebra scene might have worked in the old show had it been designed as exotic innovation, but here it's just another cheap joke. The ratings for this yarn were so low that no one talked about another reunion. Reportedly, it finally began to occur to the writers that viewers tuned into the previous turkey because they wanted to see another classic adventure -- and failed to tune into this sequel having been disillusioned by its predecessor. May we all do likewise, unless you're willing to stomach the ponderous shortcomings of this film for a chance at old-home week with West and Gordon. At best, this reunion will be bitter sweet. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A movie for even non-western fans!
I'm not a western fan, but I enjoyed this movie! Country & western singer Willie Nelson does a great job portraying his villainy character, John Henry Lee, a person that tries to blow up a railroad. Former 70's teen rock idol Shaun Cassidy's acting has improved since his work as Joe Hardy on T.V.'s "Hardy Boys Mysteries", even though he still pursued his acting career after the show ended in T.V. and national theatre, and is now a T.V. producer and writer. He does fairly well playing a young gang leader named Cotton. For a T.V. movie, this is made on a good budget and still gets played on T.V. stations. Check it out if you see it advertise on your local T.V. listings! ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Above average 70s western drama
I caught this on the tube, having not seen it in over 30 years. I was expecting something very campy, in keeping with Raquel Welch's overall film oeuvre and was rather pleasantly surprised. Despite flaws, this is an above average western with the unusual addition of a strong female protagonist.

Hannie Caulder is raped and left for dead by a gang of three outlaws (Strother Martin, Jack Elam and Ernest Borgnine...reprising roles that each of them played over the years many times). She hooks up with a bounty hunter (Robert Culp) who teaches her how to shoot so she can get revenge on the rapists.

Certainly there are some aspects of this film that are severely dated: Raquel Welch hangs around in a poncho for the first half of the film...a kinda mini-dress with apparently nothing underneath, so you find yourself looking salaciously to see some flesh. This is a Playboy magazine-like detail that is more distracting than anything else...it plays off of Ms. Welch's beauty (and she is absolutely at the peak of her loveliness here) and the image of her in nothing-but-a-short-poncho is quite iconic. But it's dumb...how on earth can she ride a horse in the desert with NOTHING on the lower half of her body? Ouch! Later, she acquires a pair of super-tight deerskin slacks, which is equally ridiculous. No woman of the 1800's would have been caught dead in men's clothing. Neither would one have worn her hair long and straight or tons of black mascara. This superimposing of modern styles on a period drama is particularly badly handled and quite unnecessary, as Ms. Welch was more than beautiful enough to handle this role in proper period attire.

Robert Culp is delightful in an unexpected turn as a be-spectacled bounty hunter with a gentlemanly demeanor. The budding romance between his character, Price, and Hannie is nicely handled. This is a good example of how unexpected characters often blend better romantically than "conventional" stock characters. Christopher Lee has a nice supporting role as a grisly old gunmaker -- further evidence that he's a fine actor who deserved a lot better than the typical horror movie roles he often got stuck with.

The worst of this film is the comedic treatment of the three gangsters. If they had been treated more seriously, the rape would be more devastating (Price wants Hannie to forget about it and go off with him) adn it's aftermath more understandable. The attitudes about rape here are very simplistic and dated, unfortunately, but if you watch other movies about rape victims from the same era, you will see it was a standard treatment. However, comedic villains are not frightening nor do they warrant being killed off, so the "Three Stooges" quality defeats much of the thrust of the plot.

Despite these flaws, "Hannie Caulder" is consistently interesting and generally well-acted, with good cinematography. It represents a very rare attempt to show a western with a female protagonist, let alone an "action hero" type who gets to ride and shoot and defend herself! The budding feminism that produced this still had a long way to go in terms of understanding the psychology of rape, but compare "Hannie Caulder" to such otherwise excellent modern westerns such as "Unforgiven" or "Open Range" where the female parts are limited to prostitutes or schoolmarms.

It would be fascinating to see this remade today with some of these elements addressed (the rape, the "funny" rapists). However, this is a nicely done and unusual western drama from a period where corny Spaghetti Westerns were the norm. It took some guts and creativity to break that mold and "Hannie Caulder" is the interesting result. Hopefully, they will get this out on DVD one of these days...it would be fascinating to hear commentary from the surviving cast members about this film.

Underrated Western scores with style
Raquel Welch is Hannie Caulder: a woman who is raped and left for dead by a trio of ruthless outlaws. Her quest for vengence is guided by a sympathetic bounty hunter (in an unusual, but effective, performance by Robert Culp) and an exiled gunsmith (Christopher Lee). This is sadly an underrated Western that should receive more fanfare than it has. The movie is beautifully photographed; the script adult and sophisticated, edged with a sense of mystery. The music is sweeping and faintly similiar in style to the Elmer Bernstein score for The Magnificent Seven. Welch runs the gauntlet of emotions, with determination and regret underpinning her performance. Surprisingly, the director did a good job of casting the villians and characterizing them like a cut-rate version of the Three Stooges. All in all, Hannie Caulder is a nice, fresh approach to the usual Wild West story of guns and revenge.

Revenge western with Raquel
Hannie Caulder is a surprisingly good western with a very good cast. After a failed bank robbery, three bumbling brothers come upon a lone house in the desert. They kill the man of the house and rape his wife, Hannie. The trio burns the house and leaves her for dead. However, Hannie survives hoping to one day get her revenge on the three gunmen. She runs into a bounty hunter who begins to teach her how to handle and fire a gun with some sort of accuracy so she will be able to exact her revenge on the brothers. In a way, this is the female version of Nevada Smith with Hannie chasing after three gunmen just like Steve McQueen's character, Max, did in Nevada Smith. The gunfights are well choreographed with blood squibs, ala The Wild Bunch. Hannie Caulder is a very good revenge western that is well worth a watch.

Raquel Welch stars as frontier wife turned gunfighter, Hannie Caulder, who teams up with a bounty hunter so she can kill the men who raped her and killed her husband. She does a lot with so little, and it doesn't help that she never looked better than she did in this movie. Much of the first half hour has her in a poncho and nothing else. Robert Culp is also excellent as infamous bounty hunter, Thomas Luther Price, who teaches Hannie how to handle a gun. The bumbling Clemens brothers, Emmett, Frank, and Rufus, are played by Ernest Borgnine, Jack Elam, and Strother Martin. For such despicable people, this movie gives them lots of comedic moments. Christopher Lee stars in a small part as a gunmaker, Bailey, who makes a specialized gun for Hannie. The movie also stars Stephen Boyd and Aldo Sambrell in uncredited roles. It is a shame there is no DVD release for Hannie Caulder since it is such a beautifully shot movie. For a better than average revenge western with the gorgeous Raquel Welch, check out Hannie Caulder!

BETTER THAN I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE
I liked this film because it was just plane Western and boy was Raquel Welch looking beautiful as she is today. Although it just went straightforward, from the gang rape to shooting all of them, but I liked it because they all gave good performance and the sountrack is wow, like excellent(I loved it and if only it was still on CD or something)

Fantastic western in the spirit of Clint Eastwood's
This has got to be one of the best things Robert Culp ever did along with Welch although I have not seen much else of what she has done. This movie is a really great vengeance type western and just really clicks. Recommended!! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

marcus
good movie, not great. interesting action scenes however a little too pyschologically bent. The jazz score although well played, is out of place. You'll recognize many vetran western actors such as Paul Fix, David Carradine, Jack Kelly, and John Anderson ... Read more

Reviews (4)

The pilot episode of the James Bond of Westerns
"The Night of the Inferno," the pilot episode of "The Wild Wild West," establishes the formula for the television series created by Michael Garrison about the James Bond of the Old West that ran on CBS from September 17, 1965 until September 7, 1970. But while the formula is tried and true, adapting the super spy formula of exotic villains and grandiose plans to rule a significant portion of the American West, the tone of the series is not yet to be established. This is clear as soon as we meet our heroes "James" West (Robert Conrad) and "Artemus" Gordon (Ross Martin).

The pilot starts off with a great hook as condemned prisoner James T. West is dragged to a railroad train in the middle of the night--where he finds President Ulysses S. Grant (James Gregory), who is providing cover for his top undercover agent. Given the cover identity of a rich Eastern dandy with his own private train, Grant sends West out on his first mission to stop the power mad Mexican Juan Manolo who plans to be number one in the whole world. When West and Gordon arrive in Quemada, they find not only the crazy general (Nehemiah Persoff) and his little army but an inscrutable Chinese merchant, Wing Fat (Victor Buono) and one of West's old flames, Lydia Monteran (Suzanne Pleshette). Of course the lady starts shooting at West about a minute after she sees him, but that is to be expected.

Actually, all things considered this is a very decent pilot, which was written by Gilbert Ralston. The camera does spend a lot of time watching West load up on guns and gadgets before heading off to Quemada, but of course each and every one of those toys is going to pay off during the course of the episode. At one point the story is going pretty much right by the numbers, but that is just a set up for some really nice twists at the end. My biggest complaint (besides the fact Grant is rather skinny) is that the character of Gordon is really wasted in this first episode. Fans of the series will immediately recognize Artie's first appearance in the story, but the revelation that he is West's sidekick is tossed off in a meaningless gesture (however, he does turn out to be a mean shot in his own right). Juan Manolo is no Dr. Miguelito Loveless, but then who is?

Final Note: You might be surprsied by the differences in the title cartoon sequence (no hitting ladies this early in the game) and the order the end shots of each act replace the original frozen cartoon images. This still remains the coolest way of going to a station break in television history.

The Wild Wild's Best
Great movie, if you like black and white films. I thought it was good, and I would definitely recommend it. It was one of the "better" episodes, and I enjoyed it. Even though the show is old, it doesn't affect the quality of the tapes. In fact, everything is perfect. There was nothing wrong with mine, no fuzziness or tracking problems at all. The picture was clear as a bell, and even the little paper slip cases hold up well, so it isn't cheap. Great story, great "surprise" ending, and it is not a waste of money, even though the movie is only an hour long. I can guarantee you at least one night of good viewing...I've watched my copy at least ten times since I bought it. It is a little cheesy (in the best possible since), but so are all old movies. I would encourage you to buy it, because you will get your money's worth. I would talk more about how great the plot is, but you'll have to see that for yourself :)

An Enjoyable "WWW" Reunion
Though a bit too campy in spots, "Wild Wild West Revisited" (1979) recaptured some of the imaginative spirit of the original series. Since Robert Conrad and Ross Martin were older, it was impossible to continue in the same vein as the 1965-69 show. Still, it's great seeing James West and Artemus Gordon together again -- and the TV movie has a big-budget feel with its use of Arizona locations. "Wild Wild West Revisited" is nostalgic fun, but cannot hold a candle to the original show.

The first night of James West
What I like the most in this episode is the taut opening scene with prisoner James T. West and Arte playing the drunk military. The villains are outrageously flamboyant : pre-"Count Manzeppi" Victor Buono as Wing Fat and Nehemia Persoff as vicious sadistic Juane Manolo. Suzanne Pleshette as Lydia Monteran with her gun mania is gorgeous. James Gregory as authoritative President Grant is just fine for his single part in the entire series. He recaptures the feeling of the old west much better than Roy Engel. The dialogues are smart and sophisticated, for instance, when Colonel Shear says : "the dandiest dude that ever crossed the Mississippi in his private railroad car." The James West's gadgets ritual (especially, the close-up of the sleeve-gun) in the train is a pure delight. Thanks to Frank Phillips' only cameraworks, the black and white mood is extraordinary. The jazz/western music composed and conducted by Richard Markowitz is top-notch and everybody know the main theme by heart. Above all, the trade mark of the show, I mean the freeze frame which turns into a rough sketch. In this episode, there is one incoherent detail about the change of Jim West's costume when he goes to Quemada. But who cares ? The pilot episode, directed, like a movie, by Richard Sarafian, that I can watch over and over and forever : I'm a devotee. I hope they will release the music very soon. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

marcus
good movie, not great. interesting action scenes however a little too pyschologically bent. The jazz score although well played, is out of place. You'll recognize many vetran western actors such as Paul Fix, David Carradine, Jack Kelly, and John Anderson ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great Movie of a Legend!!
Jimmy Dean's popular 1950 song"Big Bad John" is translated into an exciting,hilarious film.Also co-starring Ned Beatty,Jack Elam and ofcourse Jimmy Dean as the sheriff as they go cross country in search for Big Bad John.It's a must see movie!! ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Good but not great sequel
Return of the Magnificent Seven is a good sequel that picks up ten years after the first one ended. The story follows Chris, the gunman in black, who is trying to free Chico, from the original seven, from a bandit who has kidnapped the men from several small villages. Joining Chris is another group that he puts together to help him free his old friend, Chico. This is an exciting movie that examines several questions about the Old West. What if ten years after it happened these men are beginning to think if they have accomplished anything or what is their value? The movie poses this question as the seven ride to Chico's rescue.

The only returning star from the original is Yul Brynner who takes the role of Chris again and plays it to perfection. Robert Fuller takes the role of Vin, previously played by Steve McQueen. This movie could have been much better with McQueen in the role. Other members of the Seven include Warren Oates, Claude Akins, Julian Mateos, Virgilio Texiera, and Jordan Christopher. Also starring are Emilio Fernandez, Elisa Montes, and Fernando Rey. Part of the problem with this sequel is that the characters are not as likable as those in the original. The film is still very good, but just doesn't reach the same level of the first one. Elmer Bernstein's music is still one of the greatest movie soundtracks of all-time. The DVD is pretty good with a widescreen presentation and theatrical trailer included. Different tone than the original Magnificent Seven(still a classic) but a good movie nonetheless. Check it out!

MISUNDERSTOOD SEQUEL THAT ENTERTAINS
Yes this one is darker than the first, but I don't think that's a bad thing. It's a very good film if accepted for it's what it is: a great Western. I'm glad they didn't just copy the first but came up with a different and darker approach that really drew me in. I know that the party line has been to dislike this sequel, but man is it great! Some have said on here that there's no character development. Not true! There's plenty of depth here. Not as much humor as the first perhaps, but it's gritty and really entertained this Western fan. Great cast. Great action. Plenty of absorbing character elements that drew me in. Much better than some say it is. I loved every second of this movie.

Brooding and Absorbing Sequel
Scratching deeper beyond the surface one can find RETURN OF THE SEVEN to be significantly different from its predecessor, THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN. It is much more than a thematically framed sequel which it can easily be mistaken for. RETURN OF THE SEVEN is a dark film and it does not offer the hope of a truly optimistic future for any of its characters. In this respect it is a complete inversion of THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN. Through their catharsis in the original we saw an attempt at redemption through an act of nobility on the part of the seven. They truly were noble and I believe were redeemed for their transgressions as gunmen. Some thought they could start their lives over again but inevitably they could not. That film had to end as it did with the seven ultimately all committed to their singular code of ethics and morality in an emotionally charged finale. In this film there is very little emotion on the surface. Instead director Burt Kennedy gives us a thought provoking study into the human psyche and the very nature of defeatism of the human spirit. In this film there are no pretensions on the part of the seven. For most of them this is just another gun job. There are no higher aspirations that they are cognizant of. If it were not this job, it would be the next. To tell his story Burt Kennedy focuses almost entirely on the character of Chris the leader, perfectly portrayed again by Yul Brynner. This is not really a tale of the seven. Instead Kennedy uses Brynner with all his aplomb and apparent stoicism to curiously examine and probe the motivations of the other six, Lorca the villain (pompously played by Mexican director Emilio Fernandez) and several other key characters. In effect Kennedy takes what was apparently a happy or satisfactory ending from THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN and asks what if. What if 10 years later the remaining characters are not so contented as prior events led us to believe they would be? Would friends be willing go up against innumerable odds? Would strangers once again sign on to go up against those same innumerable odds? Do the strong still have to help the weak? And who really are the strong and the weak? When 50 or more marauding vaqueros whisk away Chico (Julian Mateos) and other Mexican farmers from surrounding villages Chris and Vin (Robert Fuller) agree to come to his aid. However it is Chris alone that recruits the members of the "seven" this time out. Kennedy singularly endows Chris a sense of morality and level headedness in this film that comes from his wisdom and manner of nobility. In effect this is Brynner's film all the way. Just as John Sturges' directorial style was so smooth that his own storytelling glossed right over the depth and complexity of his own work so is Burt Kennedy's. However, Kennedy is challenged with a very dark and brooding tale to tell. Where Sturges' THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN could easily have been taken on a purely action film level and still been successful, Kennedy does not have that luxury. Kennedy has to deliver an action film built on previous events and he also has to approach the story from a different perspective to remain fresh yet keep it thematically to the concept of the original "Seven." Not an easy task! If the viewer does not look deeply into this film it may just appear as a well produced 'dud.' However, I believe Kennedy succeeds far beyond expectations the more times I view this film. Again it comes back to Brynner. He makes members of the seven (Vin, Chico and Colbee) all come to realizations about themselves with his subtle yet profound dialogue. He gives Riker and Luis a chance at redemption even though both men come from total opposites of the spectrum. He helps the failed priest rise from his failures "at least as far as his knees." Chris even gives Lorca, the villain a chance to ride out because when Chris was younger he gave him the same chance. However, Chris refuses to let Lorca now bathe his personal grief as an ineffectual father "in other men's blood." Yet even Lorca is literally redeemed by the end of the film. When Petra tells Chris that the farmers will never forget them he simply replies, "That's all a man can ask." That is the mystique and legacy of the "seven." Even the character of Chris is endowed with human flaws. He recklessly took on the young Manuel rounding out the seven "for luck" with tragic results and we see Brynner deeply grieved on the screen. This is a film of hard lessons learned. Technically this is a well-made film. The cinematography is full of crane, dolly and tracking shots, which gives it both perspective and movement. Bernstein's score is full and lush and this is the single cohesive element that keeps the seven together. The set designs are dark, grim and rustic giving the film a pensive psychological depth. The payoff for Brynner and the viewer comes in the final shot. Looking at the farmers rebuilding the village he comments, "I'll be damned." Vin looks at him and responds, "I doubt that. I doubt that very much." They both ride off. They just don't make heroes like that any more.

Great movie!!
This is a favorite along with the first, "The Magnificent Seven". There is a good plot and plenty of action. Both this movie as well as the first one have moral messages. Also both movies are really about the Vietnam War. The Magnificent Seven relaesed in I believe 1960 when our military advisors were in Vietnam. Remember the villagers asked for help from the Americans? The seven trained the villagers just like our forces in Vietnam did. Also the second movie released in 1966, just two years after official combat in Vietnam for our troops. Again strong parallels with the seven against the tyrant bully (North Vietnamese communism) and the seven (America). Who said Hollywood can't disguise a movie and subliminally give a message by the government to help influence us. Again the movie is great and with great performances by Yul Brynner, Robert Fuller Warren Oates, and Claude Akins. Good performnce by Emilio Fernandez as Lorca and Fernando Reyes as the priest, others also. I enjoyed this one better than the first one.

Underated, action crammed sequel!
This film (for almost no reason) was called drab and boring. It is neither. Explosive, exciting action scenes (the last one where they fend off hunreds of outlaws), great backrounds, and a good story is not what I call drab and dull. I don't care if Steve McQueen was absent, in fact I was relieved. He gave a boring, wooden indian performance in the first film (not to mention boring diologe. I did miss Charles Bronsan (who was killed in the first one).

There's almost no dull moments, so go rent it or buy it. It's a good pick for action or western fans. Peace out! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

1970's Nasville Murder Mystery with Tom Selleck
CONCRETE COWBOYS is a very funny movie set in 1970's Nashville starring Tom Selleck and Jerry Reed(Country Music Artist and Co-star of Smokey and the Bandit Movies). Selleck and Reed are a couple of con-artist cowboys from Montana who end up in Nashville in the adventure of their lives.

The movie starts with Selleck and Reed playing a game of poker at a truck stop, where Reed gets them beat up and chased out of town. They hop a freight-train where they wind up in Nashville, Tennessee. Coincidentally, Reed has a friend that lives in Nashville that he calls to find a place to stay. The guy that Reed calls happens to be going out of town and lets them stay at his apartment and drive his corvette, which is very convenient for these two traveling hobos. Selleck and Reed come to find out that this guy is a private detective and they take a case to find a missing girl. Along the way they meet several country music stars such as Roy Acuff and Ray Stevens. I won't give away the suprise ending or any of the twists that befall these two lovable losers, but you won't be dissapointed.

Tom Selleck and Jerry Reed are great as cowboy buddies taking a murder case while posing as private detectives. Jerry Reed is the conniving slick one of the pair while Tom Selleck is the somewhat dumb one, but he does carry a set of encyclopedias with him throughout the entire movie so he can "get himself some learnin".

This is a great movie for anyone that likes country music, since it is full of songs by Jerry Reed, live performances by Ray Stevens, and other country songs of the late 70's. Also, this movie is a great look at all the Nashville landmarks like the Opryland Hotel, Parthenon, and Country Music Hall of Fame. I first saw this movie at about 1:00 in the morning on TBS a few years ago, and having lived in the Nashville area all my life it was funny to see the city 25 years ago. Plus it is only $5.00 so what's really stopping you from buying it...trust me you'll like it even if its just for the cheesiness.

disappointed
We do not think this video is worth purchasing. After receiving it and viewing it we were disappointed in its storyline and also the quality of the tape itself. I didn't think I would find a Tom Selleck movie I wouldn't want to watch but this is the one.

Pretty good movie
This was a pretty good comedy/action movie. Tom Selleck is a great actor overall. Its a "older movie", but was still entertaning. Well worth the money. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Hulk Hogan and Christopher Lloyd: How's that for a tag team? In this lightweight comedy, they're brought together by the science fiction fates. Hogan is an enforcer from outer space whose ship crashes on Earth--and he's also being chased by interstellar villains. He becomes a boarder at the home of office drone Lloyd, whose obnoxious boss (Larry Miller) steals all his best ideas. Hogan teaches Lloyd to stand up for himself and Lloyd teaches Hogan restraint in a blend of slapstick and special effects that allows Hogan to kick some butt in the finale (one of the bounty hunters from outer space is played by the Undertaker). Strictly for kids, just like professional wrestling. --Marshall Fine ... Read more

Reviews (13)

A Must See For Wrestling Fans
Not only does this movie feature Hulk Hogan, but it also features Mark Calaway (The Undertaker) as Hutch, one of the bounty hunters. The plot is terrrible, the characters are a bit dull, but you'll find the movie itself is absolutely hilarious. I never thought I'd see the Undertaker in a movie as goofy as this one!

Hulk Hogan is a comic genius!!
Hulk Hogan will leave you in stitches as you watch Suburban Commando.

The Hulkster plays Shep Ramsey, an interstellar hero, who fights space villians. His ship is damaged after a fight with an interstellar nasty and he must hide out on Earth until it can recharge. So he moves in with Christopher Lloyd's suburban family.

Christopher Lloyd plays a timid little man who is pushed around by everyone. The Hulkster teaches his to pray, eat his vitamins, and stand up for himself.

The jokes in this flick are so funny! I was laughing so hard that I passed out. The scene where the car alarm is afraid of Hulk Hogan is outrageously funny. That scene works on so many levels! You'll lose control when you see it. Also, the scene with the mime is uproarious!

In short, this is another Hulk Hogan masterpiece. You have to watch it.

The Incredible Hulkster
Any body who does not Hogan or wrestling, then they dissmiss this movie, and anything any other wrestler has ever made.... or they dont like the fact that this is a fammilly action/comedy movie, and not a kick ass ,bad boy ,blow up the bad guy and be a man kind of thing?!

This is my fav movie that Hogan has made. It kind of spoofs Star Wars in a way in the begining. I kind of describe the movie as "what if someone from Star Wars came to Earth for a vacation?"

Hogan plays a space warrior who is informed to take a vacation after a battle. He comes to Earth to recharge his ship and blend in for a little while, he gets to know the locals, and becomes almost part of Charlie Wilcocks family (Christopher Lyodd) while beeing persued by a couple of intergalctic bounty hunters. One of which is Mark Calaway , a wrestler known as The Undertaker. Also starring Shelly Deval, and the funny Larry Miller. This is a fammily action/comedy movie. So if your into a pure action movie, give this one a skip. But if you want a movie of this calibur, then check it out, its a great price for such a DVD.... tho im disapointed that it dosent come with any Deleted Scenes, or any bonus features apart from a trailer and a game where you see a picture and then guess which movie it is from, and try to get 10 out of 10.... its a great deal on a pretty good movie! Only Hogan haters, or people expecting it to be more adult will say bad things about it i think? It has some great laughs for a fammily night in.

Brilliant social commentary on the price of suburban ennui
Strasbourg-trained method actor Hulk Hogan shines in this brutally honest adaptation of David Mamet's play "Suburban Commando." More allegory than call to arms, this film explores the dangerous price of middle-class banality in much the same way as "Falling Down."

Charlie Wilcox (Christopher Lloyd) is a middle-aged mortgage broker who is truly stuck in a life void of living. His marriage to wife Jenny (Shelly Duvall looking creepier than ever) lovelessly goes through the motions. Family life for Charlie isn't much better as his dropout son sells MDMA out of his Camaro, and his daughter drunkenly sleeps with everyone at her high school. Charlie's neighbors have killed the Wilcox family dog as vengeance for waking them up with the lawnmower too early one Saturday morning. Charlie has wild dreams of his lone male encounter in college. Life is a wreck of night sweats, confusion, regret, hatred, pills, and alcohol.

Perusing the "Men Seeking Men" section of the local weekly for the first time one afternoon, Charlie's fortune takes a sudden turn. He works up the nerve to call an ad promising "one cocky muscle boy and elderly gimp" who will deliver "better than any maleman." Charlie meets Shep Ramsey (Hogan) and Colonel Dusty (Jack Elam in the role that defines his career) at a local tavern and baits his new pals on his plan of suburban destruction with ecstacy stolen from his son. The hit list first comes to Charlie and crew as his Glock-packing son tracks down his stolen goods only to meet his doom from Shep's wet-hot rippling muscles. Soon everyone in Charlie's life is at risk, even Charlie himself. The action pumps up furiously to an explosive climax that you'll want to watch again and again.

Hogan went on to do some amazing work in "Mr. Nanny" (which garnered an Oscar nomination) and "Santa With Muscles," but it was "Suburban Commando" that really earned his star on the Hollywood Walk. His performance here drips with the kind of homoerotic sizzle that has defined his career in the rin