Big Jake (1971)

Surprisingly incoherent and boring

Better Late Then Never

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend other to give it a try , (as I am) but this movie, although enjoyable to watch due to the better than average acting fails to add anything new to its storyline that is all too familiar to these types of movies.

(Flash Review)John Wayne plays a cowboy named McCandles, great name, in this Western that highlights the trend away from horses to cars and motorcycle. It opens in 1909 with eight bandits who approach vast ranch estate and murder many workers and kidnap the mother's grandson for a random of $1mil. Not just any grandson, a grandson of McCandles who has been away from the family for many years. The mother calls back McCandles to handle the job of rescuing the grandson and make sure the ransom makes it to its destination safely. Will anyone doubt McCandles at accomplishing his task and will he have any tricks up his sleeve? This was a solid story as a basis some good shootouts, snappy dialog and splendid natural cinematography. Pure John Wayne.

BIG JAKE is another solid western for the dependable John Wayne, here playing up his age as an old-time gunslinger drawn back into action once more when his own son is kidnapped. The film charts the progression of the Old West with the advent of new technology; I never thought I'd be watching motorbike stunts in a John Wayne movie! I loved Wayne's character in this one, as his one-liners are tougher than ever and he has lots of little neat touches, like needing his glasses to read anything and sticking to short-range weapons due to his failing sight. The rest of the story is familiar but the cast is well populated by familiar faces and the action hits home.

Released in 1971, "Big Jake" is a Western starring John Wayne in the titular role. His grandson is kidnapped by a ruthless band of cutthroats, led by Richard Boone, and taken to Mexico where they await the ransom money. Jake teams up with his estranged sons, whom he hasn't seen for ten years (Patrick Wayne and Christopher Mitchum), to rescue the kid (Ethan Wayne). The magnificent Maureen O'Hara plays Jakes long-lost wife, but her role is limited to a glorified cameo in the opening reel.Some of The Duke's best Westerns were in the last decade of his career, like "True Grit" (1969), "Chisum" (1970),"The Cowboys" (1972), "The Train Robbers" (1973), "Rooster Cogburn" (1975), "The Shootist" (1976), and even oaters like "The War Wagon" (1967) and "El Dorado" (1967), but "Big Jake" isn't one of 'em. It's definitely likable, like most of Wayne's Westerns, and it has its highlights, like the almost shocking opening raid (marred by incredibly fake-looking blood). It's also unique in that it takes place in 1909 and there are quite a few sequences with old automobiles and a motorcycle, which isn't typical of Westerns. Unfortunately the mid-section fails to thoroughly captivate, but it is entertaining having John and the underrated Patrick working together; and Mitchum is charismatic as well.The film runs 110 minutes and was shot in the Durango, Mexico area.GRADE: C+

This basic idea of this movie had potential but, the acting was stiff, everyone seemed like they were just saying lines for the sake of saying them, no pathos, no feeling, nothing convincing about the acting or lines can be found in this. Way too much stupid stuff was portrayed by all. The "Rangers" who were supposed to be these great shots, had a hard time even getting close to the ambushers, and they were standing up, like they wanted to get shot! And of course,the ambushers were picking off the Rangers real easy. Way too many unbelievable moments were had by all. Way too many dumb, unconvincing lines by actors that were great in other Wayne films!