This Western is beautifully and graphically filmed, and Michael Winner brings his trademark intensity to the project, but his "Lawman" (also 1971) with Burt Lancaster is a much better film.
The problem with this film is that none of the characters have any redeeming qualities, not even Bronson's "Chato." Since this film was made in 1970-71, one may expect the white guys to personify evil and the Indians to personify goodness, but here, the cruelty on both sides is relentless and obsessive. As the movie unfolded, I began rooting against "Chato."
Lancaster's "Lawman" is likewise a flawed character, but in that movie the character development is more thorough, and one can appreciate the very complicated character that Lancaster's "Lawman" is. In this film, Bronson's "Chato" is a savage in a savage land.
This film is a bleak assessment. Perhaps there are ties to Viet Nam that I would see if I viewed it a second time. I can't do that.
The problem with this film is that none of the characters have any redeeming qualities, not even Bronson's "Chato." Since this film was made in 1970-71, one may expect the white guys to personify evil and the Indians to personify goodness, but here, the cruelty on both sides is relentless and obsessive. As the movie unfolded, I began rooting against "Chato."
Lancaster's "Lawman" is likewise a flawed character, but in that movie the character development is more thorough, and one can appreciate the very complicated character that Lancaster's "Lawman" is. In this film, Bronson's "Chato" is a savage in a savage land.
This film is a bleak assessment. Perhaps there are ties to Viet Nam that I would see if I viewed it a second time. I can't do that.