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Disc 1 (silent films)
“The Great Train Robbery”(1903). Often referred to erroneously as the first western, but was in fact the first to have an actual storyline. Directed by Edwin S Porter and starring Broncho Billy Anderson in a small role. He was shortly destined to be the first real western star. The film features an amusing dance routine and is in surprisingly good nick for its venerable age.
“The Red Mans View”(1909). D W Griffith takes a very early sympathetic look at the plight of the native American during the settling of the west. If you thought “Broken Arrow” was the first sympathetic treatment of these people, think again!
“Hells Hinges”(1916). Perhaps the most astonishing of all the films and something of a revelation to me. A film that belies its age and has clearly influenced many later westerns. W S Hart is the surprising saviour of a small town held in the grip of vice and violence. The film has a strong moral and religious tone, with an ending that still has the power to surprise and shock. You can see its influence on films like “Pale Rider” and “High Plains Drifter”. Hart’s character Blaze Tracey bears a striking resemblence to Lassiter in Zane Grey’s “Riders of the Purple Sage”, both personifying the western hero of movie myth.
“The Vanishing American”(1925). Another sympathetic portrayal of the native American starring the white Richard Dix as an Indian. The film gives an unusual glimpse into mans history in America, showing the periods of the basket makers, the cliff dwellers, the arrival of the Spanish, and then arriving finally at the First World War. It is the latter era that is focused on with the Indians being the hapless victims of a crooked Indian agent. Will justice win through? Fascinating to see the location filming in Monument valley long before John Ford was credited with finding it.
Disc 2
“Fighting Caravans”(1931). No western collection would be complete without a Gary Cooper film. This is one of his earliest sound films as a frontier scout. Not one of his best, and one I have already reviewed in detail.
“The Painted Desert”(1931). A standard oater more of interest for featuring a young Clark Gable in his first speaking role, alongside old Hopalong Cassidy himself William Boyd.
“The Desert Trail”(1935). A minor John Wayne ‘B’ western, made in his poverty row years before he hit the big time in “Stagecoach”. Like Coop, no western collection would be complete without the Duke.
Disc 3
“Trouble in Texas”(1937). A rare chance to see Tex Ritter, who famously sang the theme song to “High Noon” in an early ‘B’ western. Western stunt legend Yakima Canutt lends support together with a young Rita Hayworth who appeared as Rita Cansino for the last time.
“Santa Fe Trail”(1940). Forget historical accurracy, this is director Michael Curtiz’s story of the life and loves of Jeb Stuart just before the outbreak of Civil war. Ronald Reagan plays Custer and Raymond Massey plays John Brown, whose body was not yet ‘a mouldering in the mud’.
“Arizona Bound”(1941). The Rough Riders team up to thwart a gang of stagecoach robbers. Buck Jones and Colonel Tim McCoy strut their stuff in ‘B’ movie bliss.
Disc 4
“The Outlaw”(1943). Howard Hughes hymn to a heavenly body. Jane Russell’s cleavage steals the show from an inefectual Billy the Kid. A film I have already reviewed in some detail.
“Abilene Town”(1946). Homesteaders and cattlemen clash yet again in this film, starring the ever dependable Randolph Scott and a very young Lloyd Bridges.
Disc 5
“Daniel Boone, Trail Blazer(1956). Minor western starring ex Tarzan Bruce Bennett and veteran Lon Chaney jnr in another take on on the legendary frontiersman. Pretty poor fare and perhaps the worst film in the collection. Picture quality is also an issue.
“One Eyed Jacks”(1961). Superb off beat western, directed by Marlon Brando himself, and also starring the excellent Karl Malden. A film where Brando has to settle a score with an old buddy. Things do not go according to plan. Yet another film I have already reviewed in depth.
As you can see the collection is quite diverse. Despite already having some of these films in my collection, it was still an incredibly good buy to get those that I haven’t. How nice to see “The Great Train Robbery” in its entirety. I have often caught clips, but never the whole thing. Worth the ridiculously cheap price just for that! Western fans, do yourself a favour and snap this one up! One final word of caution. These are mostly pretty old films. I thought the picture quality was surprisingly good on the whole, but if you like blu-ray type clarity then you may be disappointed. Mine was region 2 compatable and played without problems.
Engels gesproken, geen Nederlandse ondertiteling
Geschikt vanaf 12 jaar
