Lawman (1971)

Awesome Movie

This is a tender, generous movie that likes its characters and presents them as real people, full of flaws and strengths.

n my opinion it was a great movie with some interesting elements, even though having some plot holes and the ending probably was just too messy and crammed together, but still fun to watch and not your casual movie that is similar to all other ones.

I didn’t really have many expectations going into the movie (good or bad), but I actually really enjoyed it. I really liked the characters and the banter between them.

Lawman is a dark western that shows the violent landscape of the American west in a fairly realistic and non romanticised manner. This movie lets the audience decide who to root for as the lines of good and evil are blurred. Burt Lancaster plays a no nonsense lawman that is to bring to justice a group of cattle rustlers who by accident killed an old man on their drunken night where they shot up a town. The town of Sabbath is where this plays out and Burt Lancaster gives a very tough and cold performance as lawman and killer Maddox. Robert Ryan is also excellent as the town marshal that tries to find a peaceful resolution for both sides. Lee J Cobb is Bronson, a respected figure in the town of Sabbath and boss of the cowboys that Maddox is to bring to justice.(As well as the name of actor that director Michael Winner would work with a lot after this picture, Bronson...Charles Bronson) Robert Duvall gives a great early showing as well. Lawman is a great western that is well performed and ahead of its time in the way this was approached. Very good.

The theme of "Lawman" is neither unique nor new, The "Last Train From Gun Hill (1959)" starring Kirk Douglas and Anthony Quinn came to mind right away, and before that "The Man From Laramie (1955)" with James Stewart, although both of these also involves an element of personal revenge which, in turn, brings back to mind another string of memorable movies from "The Bravados (1958)", "Nevada Smith (1966)", "Hang 'Em High (1968)", "Valdez Is Coming (1971)", "Jeremiah Johnson (1972)", to another Michael Winner film "Chato's Land (1972)".There is a whole lot of violence in all these movies, and Michael Winner seemed to be paying homage to the spaghetti westerns. Kudos to the script writer for the many noteworthy lines. The much anticipated ending came with an unexpected twist, leaving the audience to figure out the punchline of the movie.The aging cast of Burt Lancaster, Robert Ryan, Lee J. Cobb brought back quite a bit of nostalgia from the glory days of Hollywood. Recognizing David McGiver from "Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)" brought back a chuckle, and Robert Duval, whom I first noticed in "The Rain People (1969)", was still at the beginning of his prolific career.I do miss those good old days...

Lawman is directed by Michael Winner and written by Gerry Wilson. It stars Burt Lancaster, Robert Ryan, Lee J. Cobb, Robert Duvall, Sheree North and Richard Jordan. Music is by Jerry Fielding and cinematography by Robert Paynter.The Lawman of the title is Jared Maddox (Lancaster), who arrives in the town of Sabbath to serve warrants on the group of rowdies responsible for the death of an old man. His cold hearted approach to his work, however, doesn't endear him to the townsfolk.A man gets caught in his own doing. Can't change what you are, and if you try, something always calls you back.Traditional Western that deals in the conflict between law and justice, Lawman, like the leading man, broods significantly. The overriding theme of if Maddox's enforcement of the law justify's the means, is tailor made for Winner's affinity for all things vengeance flavoured. Violence is not in short supply, the director gleefully keeping things gory, and the characterisations of the principal players are smartly complex. The excellent cast turn in equally great performances, the Durango locales are beautifully utilised by Winner and Paynter, and the production design is grade "A" quality.It's an anti-backlash movie of some substance, where spicy and thoughtful dialogue comes forth from the mouths of deftly shaded characters. Highly recommended to Adult Western fans. 8/10

British director Michael Winner helmed a genuine winner with "Lawman." This intelligent, dramatic, but complex horse opera about a fearless, incorruptible marshal who refuses to back down boasts a stellar cast, including Burt Lancaster, Lee J. Cobb, Robert Ryan, Robert Duval, Albert Salmi, J.D. Cannon, and Ralph Waite. An old man dies from a stray bullet in Bannock during a rowdy, night-time celebration by drunken cattle drovers. The owner of the herd, Vincent Bronson (Lee J. Cobb), doesn't learn about the death of the innocent bystander until eight months have passed. Bannock Marshal Jared Maddox (Burt Lancaster) rides into the town of Sabbath with one of the men who participated in the shooting. This participant is draped head down across the back of a horse. Maddox confronts Cotton about the homicide with a list of names of the men that he is looking to take into custody. Trouble ensues despite the fact that Bronson is willing to provide compensation. Maddox is the obdurate kind of man who doesn't take "no" for an answer. "Scorpio" scenarist Gerald Wilson doesn't pull any stops. "Lawman" was one of Burt Lancaster's best roles in his latter years. The scenery is rugged and the characters are tough as leather. "Lawman" is a must-see for anybody who craves top-notch oaters.